Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area

IRONTON RANGER DISTRICT, 6518 STATE ROUTE 93
PEDRO, OH 45659

Overview

Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area, named for the old Vesuvius iron furnace, is the Wayne National Forest's premier developed recreation site. The 143-acre lake and 1,200-acre complex provides the perfect spot for a getaway.

Recreation

Lake Vesuvius is a popular location for swimming and fishing. Anglers may catch bass, catfish, crappie and bluegill. A boat ramp is located on-site. A swimming beach is located at Big Bend.

A large playing field and multiple hiking trails are available within the recreation area. The accessible 1/3-mile boardwalk along the southwest edge of the lake provides an opportunity for a leisurely stroll through the area, and the slightly longer 1/2-mile Longbow Archery Trail, accesses at least 25 field targets for shooting practice. The area boasts more than 25 miles of hiking trails and more than 45 miles of horseback riding trails.

Facilities

The recreation area offers two developed family campgrounds, a group camp and group picnic shelters. The group campsite can accommodate up to 50 people for tent camping. It is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets, showers and drinking water are provided.

Group shelters can accommodate up to 150 people. Picnic tables, campfire rings and grills are provided, as well as accessible flush toilets and drinking water. One shelter provides electricity, while the other does not. Each has access to an amphitheater.

Natural Features

The lake sits on Storms Creek, which was dammed in 1939 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The rugged hills and rock outcroppings offer a scenic backdrop for this beautiful recreation area. The historic Vesuvius iron furnace is located at the base of the dam.

Nearby Attractions

The closest town is Ironton, Ohio, less than 10 miles from the campground.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

Group sites: all 1 sites
Largest party: 50 people

Directions

From U.S. Highway 52 at Ironton, take State Route 93 north for less than 10 miles to Lake Vesuvius Road (County Road 29). Turn east toward Lake Vesuvius and travel 1 mile to the recreation area.

Stay Limit

Check in from 6 AM, check out by 10 PM.

Reviews

14 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Donita C

Loop:Furn

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

We use the Furnace shelter every year. We like that it has electric. There is plenty of parking. The biggest disappointment this year is that the beautiful lake has been drained. There had been no lake this season and not sure when it will be filled again. This really needs to be taken care of!

Rose k

Loop:Furn

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

They mowed the grass before the event so it looked good! The area was fairly clean with no trash! I also loved that there was a dumpster!

Joshua K

Loop:2 Point

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

Our family lives this area. Great camp sites, beautiful views, peace and quiet. The poison ivy and ticks were both worse than usual this year, and we were very disappointed that progress on the dam has essentially stopped. Very anxious to can here again when there's actually a lake!

Teri C

Loop:Furn

Site:

Reviewed 6 months ago

The grass was not cut. It was all the way up to my knees

Brad M

Loop:2 Point

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

A wonderful experience at the Two Point Group Campground. The site was in great shape with plenty of flat spots for pitching a tent. Vault toilet was perhaps the cleanest one I've ever seen. There are tons of fire rings and the shelter has quite a few picnic tables. The site is also located a bit off the main road, so you do get that isolated and remote feel

Rob H

Loop:Furn

Site:

Reviewed 3 years ago

Calab Butcher and Bob Webb were very instrumental in making this a great event “The Vesuvius Challenge 4 mile race” Our 70 runners this year love the park trees lake and shelter house…our numbers are increasing

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve