The boat launch ramp at Brooks Park, a segment of Buckeye Lake State Park. The popular fishing spot also includes picnic facilities and restrooms. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

By Ken Drenten

We continue our “circle tour” of Buckeye Lake this week along the south shore of the lake near Millersport, heading east.

Last week’s post covered the village of Buckeye Lake, Liebs Island and Millersport.

Now we’ll continue our driving tour to Brooks Park and Fairfield Beach, the latter of which is both the name of another segment of Buckeye Lake State Park and of an unincorporated community of about 1,300. The park area includes a swimming beach, boat ramp, restrooms, picnic shelter house and a volleyball/pickleball court.

Thornville, in Perry County, was platted in 1810 as Lebanon and was incorporated in 1877. It’s now home to about 1,000 people. It’s also home to the annual Backwoods Fest, held the third weekend of September. More than 300 vendors offer handmade goods for sale; live music and food is also offered as part of the festival.

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Just to the north, on the far eastern side of the lake, is the unincorporated community of Thornport, platted in 1839. Nearby is Legend Valley, a 230-acre outdoor music concert venue that dates back to the 1970s. Among those who have performed at Legend Valley in the past were Allman Brothers Band, Grateful Dead, Alabama, Willie Nelson, Journey, ZZ Top, AC/DC, Bon Jovi and many others.

The residential resort community of Harbor Hills, with about 1,500 residents, is on the northeastern side of the lake. The area includes lakefront access and a golf course.

Many visitors to Buckeye Lake go to their favorite restaurants and watering holes around the lake, some of which are accessible by boat.

Favorite places around the lake region include the Beach House Pub, the Blue Heron, Boat Yard at Buckeye Lake, Buckeye Lake Brewery, Buckeye Lake Winery, Chef Shack, Crossroads Pub & Grub, the Dirty Oar, Hometown Hotdogs, Horvath’s Harbor, Island House, Mill Dam Corner Grille, Our Lakeside Diner, Pizza Cottage, Papa Boo’s and Port Lounge & Smokehouse.

Ken Drenten is creator and editor of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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