Activities
Beaches & Dunes SHOW
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 |
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| Fees: | $3/car |
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Camping & Cabins SHOW
Group Camping
Recreation areas with activity Group Camping:
Lake Vesuvius has a group campground that accomodates up to 100 people.
RV Camping
Recreation areas with activity RV Camping:
Two of the campgrounds at Lake Vesuvius accomodate RVs.
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.
Fishing SHOW
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.
| Fishing Method |
A boat ramp is available and boats with electric motors are allowed.
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| Fishing Platform |
See Boardwalk below
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| Fish Species |
largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish are commonly caught
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| Cleaning Station | none |
Hiking HIDE
Backpacking
Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:
Lake Vesuvius includes a 16 mile backpacking trail. Downloadable Map.
Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:
Several hiking trails are available at Lake Vesuvius
Horse Riding & Camping SHOW
Horse Riding
Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:
46 miles of trails offer riders many loops and options on this trail system.
Horse Camping
Recreation areas with activity Horse Camping:
There are two trailheads, one of which has ample room for camping with horses.
| Fees: | Permits are required |
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| Permit required?: | Y |
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Nature Viewing SHOW
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 |
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.
| Special Feature | Interpretive hikes are given as part of the nature center programing on plants |
| Species | Various upland and bottomland species. |
Viewing Wildlife
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Wildlife:
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.
| Special Feature | Interpretive programs are occasionally given on wildlife viewing |
| 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. |
Other Activities SHOW
Target Shooting
Recreation areas with activity Target Shooting:
This area has a 1/2-mile barrier free archery trail with 18 field targets, more may be added in 2009. Each site has 2-D and 3-D targets. It is located across from the boat ramp at Lake Vesuvius. The project has been possible due to funding by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and the contribution of hundreds of volunteer hours donated by many local organizations and individuals who have assisted with installing trail bridges, shooting targets and signs, brushed trails, and built fence. The fee-free walking archery trail is approx. 0.5 mile set in a natural wooded environment. An additional eight shooting lanes are being constructed that will be fully ADA compliant.
| Status: | Open |
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| Hours of Operation: |
sunrise to sunset
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Picnicking SHOW
Group Picnicking
Recreation areas with activity Group Picnicking:
There are two picnic shelters at the Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area.
Picnicking
Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:
The Vesuvius Recreation area has a large day use picnicking area plus two picnic shelters.
Water Activities SHOW
Swimming
Recreation areas with activity Swimming:
The Big Bend Beach is closed till summer 2012 due to road landslides. Once opened in 2012, 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.
Boating - Non-Motorized
Recreation areas with activity Boating - Non-Motorized:
Only 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.
| Class of rapids | none |
| Trailer Parking | parking is provided at the boat ramp |
| Type of Craft |
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| Fuel availability | no |
| Marina/Mooring | none |
| Size Restrictions |
small boats
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| Launch Ramps | a long loading ramp and dock flanks the boat ramp |
| Rental info: | Canoes and Kayaks are available seasonally for rent - contact Kountry Kayaks.
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