86°
Showers And Thunderstorms
100%
3
Lake County, OH · Great Lakes
Headlands Beach State Park
9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor, OH 44060
Ohio's longest natural sand beach — a mile of Lake Erie shoreline at the mouth of the Grand River in Mentor. The adjacent Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve protects a rare inland-dunes habitat; the Fairport Harbor Lighthouse is across the river mouth.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
100% rain · Thunderstorms · NWS alert active
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 86. West wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 7pm and 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 9pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and 10pm, then patchy smoke between 10pm and 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northwest wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Weather
- 86°F air — ideal beach weather
- 100% rain — wet day — beach day is off
- 18 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
Water
- 79°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
- NWS alert active — special marine warning issued july 18 at 4:17pm edt until july 18 at 6:15pm edt by nws cleveland oh
2 /100
skip
0 Swim
3 Sunbathe
0 Walk
15 Photo
Best for photography today
Beach Hazard Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:48PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...High risk of rip currents expected. * WHERE...Cuyahoga, Lake and Ashtabula Lakeshore Counties. * WHEN...From 10 AM EDT this morning through Sunday morning. * IMPACTS...Wind and wave action will cause currents on the lakeshore. Swimmers should not enter the water. Currents can carry swimmers away from shore through a sand bar and along structures extending out into the lake.
Weather alert in effect
Special Marine Warning issued July 18 at 4:17PM EDT until July 18 at 6:15PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 1:02PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Air Quality Alert issued July 17 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Air Quality Alert issued July 17 at 5:30PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Atmosphere
Air Temp
86°F
Clear
Wind
18 mph
W
Rain
100%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
77°F
Patchy Smoke
Water
Water Temp
79°F
Swimming weather
Water Quality
Clean
38 cfu/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 10mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:05 AM
Sunset
8:56 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
77°
Patchy Smoke
0%
81
81°
Sunny
0%
88
83°
Showers And Thunderstorms
86%
5
71°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
24%
57
74°
Sunny
3%
84
78°
Sunny
1%
86
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 18 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 79°F
- recommended Rain cover + dry bag 100% chance of rain
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Free state park lot.
Dogs
Dogs allowed leashed on the beach.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor, OH 44060
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Headlands Beach State Park today?
Headlands Beach State Park shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Headlands Beach State Park dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed leashed on the beach.
Is there an entry fee at Headlands Beach State Park?
Entry to Headlands Beach State Park is free.
Are there lifeguards at Headlands Beach State Park?
No lifeguards are stationed at Headlands Beach State Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Headlands Beach State Park?
Amenities at Headlands Beach State Park include restrooms, showers, concession (seasonal), picnic area.
When is the water warmest at Headlands Beach State Park?
Great Lakes water temperatures peak in late July and August at roughly 68-74°F near shore — cool compared to the ocean. Best swimming window is mid-July to late August.
Where is Headlands Beach State Park located?
Headlands Beach State Park is in Lake County, OH, at 9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor, OH 44060.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS