An aerial view of silver cup lake surrounded by green trees, with a parking area and a house on the right side, and a grassy field with trees on the left side, during daylight.

Our Story

In February 2025, a dad and his three daughters began a new chapter, purchasing a quiet, long-forgotten piece of land on the edge of Cedarville, Ohio. Tucked away on 12 acres of natural beauty, the spring-fed lake, what used to be an old quarry sparked a bold, shared vision — and from that, Silver Cup Properties was born.

What was once known as Sportsman Lake, and a hub for local divers in the early 60’s and 70’s is now being revived as Silver Cup Lake Adventures — private lake access designed for water recreation from scuba diving below to paddling on the surface.

Silver Cup Properties owners, standing on a rocky shoreline at silver cup lake with trees and cloudy sky in the background.

What’s Ahead

Silver Cup Lake Scuba Adventures is just the beginning. We’re creating spaces where people can explore, relax, come together, and make lasting memories — all rooted in our love for time together, and creating something lasting.

Group of people, including children and adults, standing on a rocky shore by a lake, wearing matching t-shirts with a logo that reads 'SILVER CUP PROPERTIES,' with some individuals sitting on others' shoulders near the water, overlooking the lake surrounded by trees.

History: “Skin Divers Club at Sportsman’s Lake”

Nestled in Cedarville, Ohio, Silver Cup Lake is part of a quiet, evolving history. Once an active limestone quarry, the site was eventually overtaken by natural spring water, leaving behind a tranquil, water-filled basin. Over the years, it became a gathering place for local divers and outdoor enthusiasts — its rock walls, and underwater growth offered a peaceful and curious setting for exploration.

THE DIVING ERA— 1960’s & 1970’s

During the 1960s and 1970s, the site was known as Sportsman’s Lake and later affectionately called the Skin Divers Club at Sportsman’s Lake. It gained a reputation as a top-tier scuba diving destination in Ohio.

Beyond diving, the lake served as a social hub with grassy picnic areas, a clubhouse, and family-friendly amenities. It was a place where both thrill-seekers and leisure visitors made lasting memories.

Transition & Closure

By the late 1990s, recreational use of the lake diminished. In 1995, Greene County acquired the Cedarville water system, including Sportsman’s Lake, and repurposed it as a water source for the community. Diving and recreational access ceased, and for many years, the lake sat unused—its history fading from public view.

A New Chapter — Silver Cup Lake (2025)

Advertisement for scuba diving lessons at Sportsman's Lake in Cedarville, Ohio, offering a three 2-hour lesson for $20, with full equipment provided, including tanks, compressed air, mask, regulator, fins, and more, intended to promote skin diving ce
Rental identification card for Ohio Skin Divers Headquarters. It features the name Daniel L. Orr, card number 820, issued on July 4, 1970. The card has a black and white photo of a young man and a logo of a diver with the text "Ohio Skin Divers". The
People by a lake, some sitting on tire stacks, some setting up tires for a boat race, others in swimsuits and shorts near the water on a grassy bank, with trees and buildings in the background.
Black and white photo of a person, wearing scuba gear, sitting on the edge of a partially submerged boat in a body of water, with two people in the water near the boat.
People swimming and relaxing by a lakeside with trees, boats, and floatation devices in the background.
Map showing locations around Sportsman Lake in Cedarville, Ohio, including Columbus, Springfield, W. Jefferson, U.S. 40, SR 72, SR 142, U.S. 42, and U.S. Route 42, with directions and distances to the lake.

WHY DIVE HERE

  • Private Scuba Access

    Silver Cup Lake is a privately owned dive site with limited daily capacity — giving divers a calm, open-water experience and space to explore at your own pace.

  • Ohio's Hidden Dive site

    Tucked away in the heart of the state, our spring-fed quarry is framed by natural stone walls and thriving aquatic life. Whether you're diving or enjoying a quiet surface interval, the setting is peaceful, and scenic.

  • Dive into History

    Once known as Sportsman’s Lake, this historic quarry was a local favorite among divers in the 1970s. Today, we’re giving it new life — inviting a new generation to explore its waters and write the next chapter.

Book Your Dive