The park consists of a 3,349 acres (1,355 ha) of shore areas, islands, and water.

Activities include boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, wildlife observation.

Wildlife visible in or from the park include cormorants, herons, bald eagles, osprey, and numerous waterfowl.

[3] The park is named for Buckeye Lake, which under its original name, Licking Summit Reservoir, was built in the 19th century to supply water to the Ohio and Erie Canal.

In 1949, the area became Buckeye Lake State Park once the Ohio Department of Natural Resources was created.