Rare Private Retreat on Buckeye Lake Hits the Market for $1.59 Million

A rare property in Buckeye Lake, OH, accessible only by boat, has hit the market—giving prospective owners a chance at a nearly unparalleled sense of seclusion.

Listed at $1.59 million, the home is set on a 0.81-acre parcel, which is the only private land on Onion Island—home to a state park.

“It’s definitely very exclusive,” Brian Kemp, of Keller Williams Capital Partners, tells Realtor.com®.

“This is a lot more private than other homes at Buckeye Lake. There’s just something special about an island.”

While the public can technically access the surrounding state park, Kemp notes it rarely happens. The island is “very wooded,” which essentially makes it a very private retreat.

The home is spread across two floors and has been carefully updated to take advantage of its natural surroundings, making it ideal for relaxation or summer fun.

The house sits right at the water’s edge and features a newly built covered patio, designed as the perfect spot for enjoying the views.

But privacy doesn’t mean isolation—the home was built for entertaining. The patio includes a TV and built-in bar, while the expansive deck has a 10-person fire pit, perfect for family gatherings or evening marshmallow roasts.

There are also many vantage points for sunrises and sunsets—this includes the jetty, a large deck next to the patio, and an upstairs balcony.

The property is also a perfect turnkey home, thanks to the $500,000 in improvements completed by the current owners. Upgrades have been made to the kitchen, bathroom, plumbing, electrical, and water systems, plus a backup generator.

The current owners aren’t moving far from Onion Island—they’re simply moving to another spot on Buckeye Lake.

“They have actually found a different island that’s a little bit bigger, and that’s going to be their new vacation home,” Kemp says.

They’ve set up the Onion Island property so the next owners can make it work perfectly for their needs. Inside, there are four functional rooms that could be used as bedrooms or configured as two bedrooms with a den and rec room.

Two of the rooms stretch right out onto deck, with the lakeside living exaggerated by the floor-to-ceiling glass doors—the pinnacle of indoor-outdoor flow. Rooms on the upper level of the house offer a cozy space away from the entertaining spaces below, the perfect escape for you or young ones. 

A rare opportunity in a popular destination

Buckeye Lake boasts 21 islands, but few have homes, and properties like this don’t come on the market often.

“Island homes—there’s probably only like one every summer that comes available,” Kemp explains.

The lake is popular with both Ohio locals and out-of-state visitors, and is a “very happening place in the summer, especially on weekends,” he adds.

“People definitely use it as a retreat. A lot have a second home out there. You’ll find people boating everywhere, the restaurants are full.”

Owning a slice of Onion Island means buyers get the best of both worlds: total seclusion with access to a lively summer destination. And a nearby marina keeps the island easily reachable from Columbus, so convenience isn’t sacrificed.

With the new systems and thoughtful upgrades, the property has drawn plenty of attention.

“It’s been getting a lot of traction and a lot of interest,” Kemp says. “This is obviously peak selling season, so I would expect it to be selling fairly soon.”