Wayne National Forest - Paddle Creek Horse Camp

Area Status: Closed

Man and Woman Ride Along Cliffs of Lake Vesuvius Horseback Riding System.

This horse camp is a large level field with ample area for trailers and horses. Some hitching rails are provided. This camping area is open year-round and is kept mowed and has a capacity for approximately 100 people and horses to camp. This campground and trailhead are part of the Lake Vesuvius Horse Trail System. The Lake Vesuvius horseback trails system 46.66 miles long and is composed of 9 trails, 4 trailheads, and one horse campground.

The Lake Vesuvius horse trails wind through some of the most striking landscapes in Ohio. They will lead you through a variety of vegetation where many species of wildlife live. You will ride along rock cliffs, water falls, streams and along ridge tops. Expect to see open fields, brushland, mature forest, and young forests. Along the way, you will notice man's influence and land management activities.

At a Glance

Operational Hours:	Horeseback riding allowed only during open season (April 15-December 15). Day and night (with lights) access is permitted. Open year-round for hiking Open your-round for camping.
Reservations:	Not available.
Area Amenities:	Tent camping,Camping trailer,Toilets,Parking
Fees	No fees required.
Open Season:	April 15 - December 15
Usage:	Medium
Restrictions:	You can build a campfire as long as you have a 10-foot clearance around it and put a ring around it with rocks. Fires must be extinguished before leaving camp. No bon fires are allowed. No standing or green trees may be cut. Check the bulletin boards to ensure no fire bans are in effect.
Closest Towns:	Ironton, Ohio
Water:	None
Restroom:	One vault toilet is provided.
Operated By:	Ironton Ranger District
Information Center:	To reach the trailhead/campground take SR 93 north out of Ironton for approximately 7 miles. Turn right at the Lake Vesuvius Sign and travel approximately 3 miles on County Road 29 past the Sand Hill Trailhead. Less than a mile past this Trail head turn left on Township Road 245. The township road will deadend at the Paddle Creek Trailhead/Camp.

General Information

Directions:

To find this campground and trailhead from Ironton, OH:

Take SR 93 north out of Ironton for approximately 7 miles.
Turn right at the Lake Vesuvius Sign and travel approximately 3 miles on County Road 29 past the Sand Hill Trailhead.
Turn left on Township Road 245, less than a mile past the Sand Hill Trailhead.
The road will deadend at the Paddle Creek Trailhead/Camp.

General Notes:

This trailhead is part of the The Lake Vesuvius Hoseback Trail System.

Routes can be planned using a map of the trail system and our chart of loops, distances, trail markers and start/end points.

All of Lake Vesuvius horse trails are marked with gray diamonds though the diamonds have different color dots depending on the loops.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Camping & Cabins

SHOW

Hiking

HIDE

Day Hiking

Though this trail system is designed primarily for horseback rides, hikers are welcome. Forty-six miles of trail wind through some of the most striking landscapes in Ohio, but loops of a variety of lengths offer hikers many different distances depending on the time they have available.

Backpacking

Though this trail system is designed primarily for horseback rides, hikers are welcome. 46 miles of trail wind through some of the most striking landscapes in Ohio, but loops of a variety of lengths offer hikers many different distances depending on the time they have available.