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Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area
The Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area is the Wayne National Forest's premier developed recreation site and is named after the historic Vesuvius Iron Furnace. The rugged hills and out-cropping cliffs provide a scenic backdrop for this historical and beautiful site.
It contains a 143-acre lake, two family campgrounds and one group campground, beach and swim area, multiple picnic areas, fishing, boating, hiking, scenic overlook and an archery trail. This recreation area is home to the 46-mile Lake Vesuvius Horse Trail System, open from early spring to winter.
At a Glance
| Reservations: | Camping and shelter reservations can be made at recreation.gov. |
|---|---|
| Rentals & Guides: | Canoes and kayaks avaiable to rent from Kountry Kayaks between May and September at the Lake Vesuvius Boat Ramp. Contact this permitted outfitter for more information. |
| Open Season: | Year-round (Portions closed seasonally) |
| Usage: | Heavy |
| Restrictions: | Only boats with electric motors are allowed on Lake Vesuvius. |
| Closest Towns: | Ironton |
| Water: | Drinking Water |
| Restroom: | Flush (Furnace Area: Apr-Oct) and Vault at Boat Ramp (Year-round) |
| Operated By: | Ironton Ranger District, 6518 SR 93, Pedro, OH 740-534-6500 |
General Information
Directions:From Ironton, Ohio: Take State Route 93 north 6.5 miles. Turn on County Road 29 and follow the signs to the Recreation Area (1 mile).
General Notes:
The Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area is located in Lawrence County, 6.5 miles north of Ironton, just off State Route 93.
Maps and Guides
Activities
Sand Play
Recreation areas with activity Sand Play:The sandy beach at Big Bend Beach offers children and adults a place to play in the sand. The beach is generally open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
| Status: | Closed |
|---|---|
| Fees: | $3/car |
Campground Camping
Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:Vesuvius Recreation Area has four campgrounds for visitors. Each offers a slightly different experience for those who come to stay at the Vesuvius Recreation Area.
RV Camping
Recreation areas with activity RV Camping:Two of the campgrounds at Lake Vesuvius accomodate RVs.
Group Camping
Recreation areas with activity Group Camping:Lake Vesuvius has a group campground that accomodates up to 100 people.
Lake and Pond Fishing
Recreation areas with activity Lake and Pond Fishing:This 143-acre lake is stocked by ODNR and has a boat ramp.
| Fish Species | largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish are commonly caught |
| Fishing Platform | See Boardwalk below |
| Cleaning Station | none |
| Fishing Method | A boat ramp is available and boats with electric motors are allowed. |
Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:- Iron Ridge Campground
- Lake Vesuvius - Roadside Picnic Area (not shelter)
- Lake Vesuvius Boardwalk Trail
- Balancing Rock Trailhead
- Bluegrass Trailhead
- John's Creek Trailhead
- Paddle Creek Horse Camp
- Sand Hill Trailhead
- Lake Vesuvius Picnic Areas - Roadside Shelter
- Oak Hill Campground
- Rock House Trailhead
Several hiking trails are available at Lake Vesuvius
Backpacking
Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:- Lake Vesuvius Horseback Riding System
- Balancing Rock Trailhead
- Bluegrass Trailhead
- John's Creek Trailhead
- Paddle Creek Horse Camp
- Sand Hill Trailhead
- Vesuvius Lakeshore Trail and Backpacking Trail
Lake Vesuvius includes a 16 mile backpacking trail. Downloadable Map.
Horse Camping
Recreation areas with activity Horse Camping:- Lake Vesuvius Horseback Riding System
- Balancing Rock Trailhead
- Bluegrass Trailhead
- John's Creek Trailhead
- Paddle Creek Horse Camp
- Sand Hill Trailhead
There are two trailheads, one of which has ample room for camping with horses.
Horse Riding
Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:- Lake Vesuvius Horseback Riding System
- Balancing Rock Trailhead
- Bluegrass Trailhead
- John's Creek Trailhead
- Paddle Creek Horse Camp
- Sand Hill Trailhead
46 miles of trails offer riders many loops and options on this trail system.
Viewing Wildlife
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Wildlife:- Lake Vesuvius Boardwalk Trail
- Lake Vesuvius Horseback Riding System
- Balancing Rock Trailhead
- Bluegrass Trailhead
- John's Creek Trailhead
- Sand Hill Trailhead
- Vesuvius Lakeshore Trail and Backpacking Trail
This large lake nestled in the wooded hills is encircled by over 25 miles of hiking trails. These trails travel through some of the most striking landscapes that Ohio has to offer with a variety of vegetation, rock outcrops, and many species of wildlife.
| Species | Woodland songbirds, deer, beaver, and turkey are commonly seen. Soaring above the lakes or perched in shoreline trees you may also see hawks and osprey. |
Viewing Plants
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Plants:This large lake nestled in the wooded hills is encircled by over 25 miles of hiking trails. These trails travel through some of the most striking landscapes that Ohio has to offer with a variety of vegetation and spectacular array of spring wild flowers and fall color.
| Species | Various upland and bottomland species. |
| Special Feature | Interpretive hikes are given as part of the nature center programing on plants |
Viewing Scenery
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Scenery:This area is scenic for many reasons. It's topography lends itself to panoramic views from the roads, trails, and overlooks. The lake is a beautiful backdrop to the forested rolling hills and the furnace and historic Civilian Conservation Corps era buildings lend an air of nostalgia to the site. There is even the famous "Indian head" rock near the entrance - which is a giant rock formation which looks like the profile of a Native American overlooking the lake.
| Special Feature | lake, furnace, Indian head rock, dam, boardwalk |
Target Shooting
Recreation areas with activity Target Shooting:This area has a 1/2-mile barrier free trail with eight archery field targets.
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Hours of Operation: | sunrise to sunset |
Picnicking
Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:- Lake Vesuvius - Roadside Picnic Area (not shelter)
- Lake Vesuvius Picnic Areas - Furnace Shelter
- Lake Vesuvius Picnic Areas - Roadside Shelter
The Vesuvius Recreation area has a large day use picnicking area plus two picnic shelters.
Group Picnicking
Recreation areas with activity Group Picnicking:- Lake Vesuvius - Roadside Picnic Area (not shelter)
- Lake Vesuvius Picnic Areas - Furnace Shelter
- Lake Vesuvius Picnic Areas - Roadside Shelter
There are two picnic shelters at the Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area.
Boating - Non-Motorized
Recreation areas with activity Boating - Non-Motorized:Only non-motorized boats and boats with electric motors are allowed on Lake Vesuvius. Kountry Kayaks is a local vendor who rents canoes and kayaks from May through September. Contact this vendor for more information.
| Trailer Parking | parking is provided at the boat ramp |
| Launch Ramps | a long loading ramp and dock flanks the boat ramp |
| Class of rapids | none |
| Type of Craft | |
| Size Restrictions | small boats |
| Fuel availability | no |
| Marina/Mooring | none |
| Rental info: | Canoes and Kayaks are available seasonally for rent - contact Kountry Kayaks. |
|---|
Swimming
Recreation areas with activity Swimming:The beach area has a bath house and offers swimming opportunities in season. No life guards are present but the site has picnic tables, sand, and is an enjoyable place to spend an afternoon in the water.
| Fees: | $3 for parking |
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