Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park

Follow Lake Metroparks on X and check the Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park Facebook page for updates, news and conditions. Click here for daily beach conditions. To see live conditions on Lake Erie at this park, click here to view the harborcam.

Hours of Operation (weather dependent)

• Gate: 10 am to 6:30 pm daily, May 24 to 26 & May 31 to August 10
• Concessions: 11 am to 7 pm daily, May 24 to 26 & May 31 to August 10
• Paddle rentals: 11 am to 7 pm daily, May 24 to 26 & May 31 to August 10
• Lifeguards on duty: 11 am to 7 pm daily, May 24 to 26 & May 31 to August 10
• End-of-season beach operation hours in effect August 11 through Labor Day

Although Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park is open year-round, beach operations including concessions, paddle rentals, and parking fees conclude on Labor Day.

For your safety: Never swim alone. Please swim in the designated swim area. Designate your own “water watcher” who is responsible for keeping an eye on the group. Click here for swimming safety tips from the American Red Cross.

Beach Rules

• Smoking is prohibited on the sand, the boardwalk and in the concession area.
• No alcohol is permitted.
• Please put your litter in containers provided.
• Please do not bring glass containers to the beach.
• Umbrellas and small pop-up canopies (10′ x 10′) permitted on sand and grass.
• Fires must be contained within a proper grill or other designated area approved by the Executive Director.
• Please keep amplified music at a reasonable level.
• Supervise your children, both in the water and on land.
• Swim only in the designated swim area.
• For your safety, flotation devices are not permitted in the swim area.
• Dogs must be on a leash and are allowed only on the paved parking lot or in the designated dog area east of the concession stand. Due to recent shoreline erosion, access to the lake for dogs is closed for the safety of both pets and their owners.
• Clean up pet waste immediately and properly.

Parking

Parking fees at entrance gate to park daily 10 am to 6:30 pm, weather permitting:

To purchase a 2025 season parking pass for Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park, click here.

Rentals

Available at Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park during the summer operating season May 24 to 26 & May 31 to August 10. Rentals open 11 am to 7 pm daily, weather dependent. Call 440-639-9972 for details. 

Sit-on-top Ocean Kayak Rental
Fee: $10/hour single, $15/hour double, ages 16 and older
(ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by adult)

Stand-up Paddleboard Rentals
Fee: $10/hour single, ages 16 and older
(ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by adult)

Lake Metroparks Paddle Card
This card allows you to come to the beach and paddle on a single stand-up paddleboard or single sit-on-top kayak. Cards can be purchased at the rental shack on the beach.

• Card valid Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day
• Fee: $80 for 10 hours, $100 unlimited

Harborcam

To see live conditions on Lake Erie at this park, click here to view the harborcam.

Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB)

Lake Metroparks monitors the parks for the presence of harmful algal blooms. A harmful algal bloom is a large growth of naturally-occurring bacteria that can produce toxins that may be harmful to people and pets. Swimmers, boaters and jet skiers are cautioned that water contact on skin or breathing/inhaling water droplets may cause health problems affecting the liver, nervous system and/or skin.

What should you do if you or your pets are exposed to waters where a HAB is found?

• Rinse off after coming out of the water
• In case of accidental water ingestion, contact a physician
• In case of pet exposure, contact your vet

If the HAB is no longer visible, is it safe to swim?

• Toxins can still be present in the water even if the HAB cannot be seen
• Look for the signs that warn about the presence of an HAB

Remember, you can still boat, fish and enjoy Ohio’s lakes, streams and rivers. Recreational water users are encouraged to maintain a level of awareness for the duration of the swimming season.

Click here for information about HAB.

E. coli Water Monitoring

The LCGHD monitors water quality at the beach located at Lake Metroparks Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Samples are collected daily (including weekends and holidays) and results are reported 24 hours later. Beach water is sampled for E. coli bacteria. When the bacterial count exceeds the single sample standard of 235 E.coli/100 ml sample, advisory signs are posted at the beach. In the absence of a warning sign, use common sense to evaluate the lake conditions prior to swimming. It is recommended to avoid entering the water for 24 to 48 hours after a heavy rain of one-half inch or more in a 24-hour period, or if the lake appears to be very rough and dirty.

Click here for more information about E. coli water monitoring