Long before stages and vendor tents dotted its shoreline, Nelson Ledges Quarry Park was a forgotten relic of industry: an abandoned sandstone pit.
The park’s roots stretch back to the 1950s, when it operated as a rock quarry. Over time, the pit filled with water, and what was once a worksite slowly transformed into a serene swimming and camping oasis, reclaimed by free spirits.
That transformation accelerated in the mid-1990s, when Newbury High School graduate Evan Kelly took over the park. Kelly, who first worked at Nelson Ledges as a teenage lifeguard in the late ‘80s, saw something special beyond its drug-and-alcohol-filled party reputation.
“I was always a performing musician in the area,” he recalls. “Festivals were starting to become popular in the ‘90s, and it was kind of a no-brainer. We had a beautiful place to provide that.”
Since acquiring the Garrettsville property in 1996, Kelly has poured decades of vision, labor and heart into the park. He built a stage behind the beach and slowly turned Nelson Ledges into a vibrant, inclusive hub for live music, primitive camping, swimming and community. Today, it spans over 250 acres and welcomes everyone from families and college kids to artists and white-collar professionals.
Central to the park’s charm is its tight-knit vendor community. Between 40 and 50 hand-picked vendors, some with decades-long ties to the park, offer everything from gourmet grilled cheese to tie-dyed clothing and handmade art.
“We actually have businesses that rely on us every year,” Kelly says. “It’s like a big family.”
These semi-permanent vendors help create a unique festival vibe that’s centered around community — especially during Nelson Ledges’ popular music festival weekends.
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The venue hosts nearly a dozen music festivals annually, featuring genres ranging from bluegrass and electronic dance music to rock, jam bands, funk and regional acts. In an effort to remain financially accessible, Kelly keeps ticket prices reasonable, and includes campsite rentals in the total cost.
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"I see how venues are taking advantage of people, and it's really upsetting to me,” Kelly says. “I want people to be able to afford to come to multiple events a season.”
The 2025 season kicks off with the Early Bird Festival on April 18. The low-key gathering of around 500 to 1,000 people is a local band-focused soft launch for the summer lineup.
Festival weekends draw in hundreds of attendees, with multi-day weekend events averaging a ticket price of around $150. Highlights of the season include Grassfire Festival, which Kelly says features “more Grammy and award winners than you’ll see anywhere,” and the 25th anniversary of Gratefulfest, a staple in the park’s legacy. Classic Fest also draws crowds with top-tier tribute bands, including a two-night laser show paired with the music of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.
Outside of its festivals, the park welcomes day visitors for swimming from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with weekday admission at $12 for adults and $5 for kids ages 4-14; weekend rates are $15 for adults and $6 for kids. On non-festival days, camping is $25–$30 for adults, which includes arrival day, overnight stay and the entire following day. Kids can camp for just $10.
“We’re not looking to make a fortune,” Kelly explains. “We just want to keep doing what we do. We feel very blessed.”
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While camping remains largely primitive, the park evolves with the gradual addition of 20 electric sites, with more upgrades in the works. Meanwhile, safety is a top priority. Kelly and his team work closely with the county sheriff and health department to ensure events remain welcoming and family-friendly.
"We're not for everybody, but we do our best," Kelly says. "Our main concern is safety and providing a safe and a fun environment for families as well as people without kids."
A new addition to the area is bringing even more attention to Nelson Ledges: a state-funded, $1.5 million plexiglass walking bridge with a scenic overlook in the adjacent state park. The bridge, which offers views of the gorges and quarry, promises to attract nature lovers and curious visitors alike.
It might surprise festival goers to learn that one of the most powerful moments at Nelson Ledges happens on Wednesday nights. Inspired by his experiences at Ohio addiction treatment centers like Glenbeigh in Rock Creek and The Ridge in Milford, Kelly now hosts one of the region’s largest weekly Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings every Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m. The gatherings, which often draw up to 100 people, are free to attend, and participants are welcome to swim and enjoy the park’s facilities afterward. Attendees include residents of local sober living homes.
Kelly regularly shares his personal recovery story, helping to create a judgment-free, supportive space grounded in nature and community.
“We help each other by sharing our experiences,” says Kelly. “It's a wonderful thing to see people get through [recovery] like I have.
At its core, Nelson Ledges remains true to the values Kelly brought to it nearly 30 years ago: affordable fun, inclusivity and connection.
“This park has become me. People feel very free here,” he says. “There’s no judgment, and the happiness we see in other people is what drives us.”
Upcoming Music Events:
Early Bird Music Festival: April 19-20
Sunny Days: May 16-18
Spring Badfish: May 30-June 1
See more events at nlqp.com.
Day Passes are good from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and are available at the gate upon entry only.
The beach is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day if it's sunny and the temperature is above 70 degrees.
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