Apple Valley Lake is a private lake community in Knox County, Ohio, near Howard and Mount Vernon. The lake covers approximately 511 acres. If you are researching a home here, start with three questions: where is the property within the community, what lake access comes with ownership, and which rules and fees apply to how you plan to use it?
I've lived at Apple Valley for years. This guide brings together what I know from living here and the practical details to help you get to know the lake and compare homes.
Where is Apple Valley Lake, Ohio?
Get directions to Apple Valley Lake · Apple Valley administration office, 113 Hasbrouck Circle, Howard, OH 43028. The destination is already filled in.
Apple Valley Lake is in Knox County, near Howard and Mount Vernon, northeast of Columbus and southwest of Akron. Plan on about 90 minutes from either city, depending on your starting point, traffic and where you are headed within Apple Valley. Use the address of the home or facility you are visiting for directions.
How big is Apple Valley Lake?
Apple Valley Lake covers approximately 511 acres. It is 3.25 miles long and has 9.25 miles of shoreline. Approximately one mile of the shoreline is common area for property owners.
How deep is Apple Valley Lake?
Apple Valley Lake has an average depth of 30 feet. Average depth does not describe the water at a particular dock, cove or shoreline. When considering a lakefront home, inspect the property's waterfront setting and confirm whether it suits your boat and intended use.
When was Apple Valley Lake built?
Apple Valley is a man-made lake created for recreation, not for flood control or generating power. It was built for enjoying time on the water with family and friends: boating, swimming, fishing and spending time together. The lake reached full pool in spring 1972. Little Jelloway Creek, springs and drainage from the surrounding area supply the lake.
Is Apple Valley Lake private, and who can use it?
Yes. Apple Valley Lake is for property owners and their authorized guests, subject to AVPOA membership and use requirements. It is not a public lake where any visitor can launch a boat or use the beaches. Review the lake-access guide before planning a visit.
What facilities are available around the lake?
There is more to Apple Valley than the lake itself. Community facilities give property owners and their guests places to swim, gather, play and spend time outdoors.
Floral Valley Community Center: At 850 Crestrose Drive, Floral Valley has an indoor pool, a lounge and game area, meeting space and a large gathering area used for community events and club activities. Seasonal activities include roller skating when scheduled.
Apple Valley Marina: The full-service marina at 2925 Apple Valley Drive offers boat fuel, supplies, service, docking and storage. Pontoon rentals are available to property owners in good standing, subject to availability and current requirements.
Bennett Park: At 1720 Apple Valley Drive, the park has a fishing pond and pier, a picnic shelter with tables and a grill, and a playground overlooking the pond. It is a place to bring lunch, fish or let the kids play.
Clubhouse, outdoor pool and fitness center: At 3725 Apple Valley Drive, the Clubhouse has a lower-level fitness center, with an outdoor pool and playground nearby. The lakefront common area also has picnic space and temporary docking.
Three swimming beaches: Sutton Beach, Davis Beach and King Beach offer places to enjoy the lake from shore.
Boat launches and common docks: Four boat launches and common docks serve the community. Common docks are for temporary docking; they are separate from a private dock belonging to an individual property.
Floral Valley outdoor recreation: The grounds include a playground, dog park, ballfield, tennis and pickleball courts, and a nearby volunteer-maintained wooded trail.
Campers Village: At 4068 Apple Valley Drive, property owners can camp in RVs, campers or tents. Electric and water hookups, a bathhouse and picnic facilities are available. Reservations are required.
Hours, reservations, access requirements and separate charges vary by facility. Check current details with AVPOA when planning your visit. Before bringing a boat, also check the current registration, decal, size and operating requirements.
Can you play golf or use nearby trails?
Apple Valley Golf Club is a public course in Howard. Designed by Bill Newcomb and John Robinson, it opened in 1972. Check the golf club's website for course information and tee-time options.
For walking or cycling nearby, the Kokosing Gap Trail is a paved, 14-mile recreational trail between Mount Vernon and Danville, passing through Gambier and Howard. The golf course and trail provide options for visitors as well as residents; lake and community-facility access have separate requirements.
Apple Valley Lake map and planning your visit
Apple Valley’s roads are public, so you can drive through the community to get a feel for the area. The beaches are gated and require an access card. Members need a current AVPOA member ID card to use the pools, and guests must follow the applicable guest and admission rules. Being able to drive through Apple Valley does not give visitors access to its private amenities.
Use the Apple Valley Lake map to locate streets, subdivisions, beaches and other facilities. For a showing or facility visit, enter the specific street address into your directions app rather than using the lake name alone.
For a first visit, start at the Apple Valley administration office near the community’s main entrance: 113 Hasbrouck Circle, Howard, OH 43028. Get directions to the Apple Valley administration office. The destination is already filled in; choose your starting location to see your route.
Useful places to locate before your visit include Sutton, Davis and King beaches, Apple Valley Marina, Bennett Park, Floral Valley Community Center, Campers Village and the Clubhouse. See Where Is Apple Valley Lake? for a location overview.
What kinds of homes can you find at Apple Valley Lake?
Apple Valley has large luxury homes, homes with room for family and friends, options for first-time buyers, summer-style cottages, and everything in between. With a range of sizes, styles and settings, there is something to explore for many different budgets and ways of living. What is available will depend on the current market.
You can also narrow your search by setting:
Lakefront homes: Review the shoreline, route to the water and any existing dock arrangements.
Lakeview homes: Check the view from the house and outdoor spaces. A view does not establish direct waterfront access.
Golf-course homes: Compare each property's position and outdoor setting.
All Apple Valley Lake homes for sale: See current options throughout the community.
Available homes and asking prices change. Use current listings to compare price, condition, location and features rather than relying on a fixed price range in a general guide.
What should you consider before buying a home here?
Start with how you want to use the property, then make sure the home, membership arrangements and community rules fit those plans. These are some of the details to understand before you buy:
Rules and restrictions: Apple Valley has covenants, bylaws and rules covering building, fences, gardens and other property changes. If you have plans for an addition, a fence, a garden or a dock, review the requirements for that property and find out what approvals are needed before you buy.
Yearly fees: Annual assessments apply even if you do not use the amenities. Review the current Apple Valley fees, including any additional charges for the activities or facilities you plan to use. The assessment year runs April 1 through March 31 of the following year.
Who receives membership and amenity access: Do not assume everyone named on a deed receives a separate membership. Generally, AVPOA recognizes one family unit per lot for amenity privileges, with specific provisions for older, grandfathered ownership arrangements. If you are buying with relatives, friends or another household, confirm exactly who will qualify for member cards, family passes and guest access before you finalize the purchase.
Boat length and motor restrictions: Check your boat’s specifications before buying a home or boat for use here. The 2026 rules limit mechanically powered boats other than pontoons to 21 feet 6 inches, and pontoons to 25 feet, based on state registration; the pontoon measurement includes the tubes. For boats with outboard motors, the primary engine limit is 300 horsepower, with a secondary engine limited to 25 horsepower. Pontoons have a 300-horsepower combined maximum, whether inboard or outboard. Other requirements, including width, registration and permit limits, also apply. Have AVPOA confirm that your particular boat and motor setup qualify before you commit.
Your route to the water: Walk the yard and shoreline access. Note slopes, steps and where you would carry boating or swimming gear. Distinguish a lake view from direct waterfront access, and confirm any dock arrangements.
Your full ownership costs and daily needs: Consider taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance along with community fees. Check the drive from the house to the services and destinations you use regularly.
Understanding these details early helps you choose a home you can enjoy the way you intend to use it.
Compare Apple Valley homes with Joe and Sherrie
Tell us whether you are looking for direct waterfront, a lake view, a golf-course setting or another location within Apple Valley. We can help you compare properties and identify the questions to resolve before you buy.
Contact Joe and Sherrie Toth or call 740-390-0735.
About this guide: Written from my experience living at Apple Valley for years, with community details checked against the Apple Valley Property Owners Association’s 2026 Member Handbook (fees and membership provisions, Bylaw 3.7 and Section 6: Facilities). For current rules, fees and facility information, visit AVPOA. The lake’s recreational purpose is also documented in Ohio EPA records. Golf and trail details were checked with Apple Valley Golf Club and the Kokosing Gap Trail.
