Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area
LAKE VESUVIUS RECREATION AREA
Part of Wayne National Forest
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.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.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.
Nearby Attractions
The closest town is Ironton, Ohio, less than 10 miles from the campground.Important Notices
- Pets are permitted within recreation areas, but must be caged, on a leash not longer than six feet, or under other physical restrictive control.
- Camping or the establishment of a campsite within the Wayne National Forest shall be limited to a period of time not to exceed 14 days in any 30 day time period.
- Click here for more information on the Wayne National Forest
- Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.
Reservation Cut-Off Window: Reservations must be made 4 days prior to arrival. Any unreserved sites within the 4 day cut-off window are no longer reservable and only available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
State of Ohio Buckeye Pass is not accepted at any Wayne National Forest recreation sites that charges a fee.
Notifications and Alerts
Wayne National Forest closes Lake Vesuvius; surrounding recreation area remains open
PEDRO, Ohio (Sept. 18, 2025) — The Wayne National Forest has closed Lake Vesuvius in Lawrence County, Ohio, for public safety in order to repair the lake dam’s gate.
The closure area covers Lake Vesuvius’s normal maximum pool level only. The recreation area surrounding the lake remains open, including trails, campgrounds, and most other facilities. The Boat Launch is closed and will be dredged this fall and winter to clear sediment accumulated during heavy spring rain runoff.
“Visitors should observe the closure and be aware of personnel working in the area,” said Forest Supervisor Lee Stewart. “We appreciate your cooperation during these essential maintenance procedures, and we will do our best to minimize recreation impacts and maintain other operations normally.”
Dam conditions remain stable and safe, and there is no cause for concern as long as visitors observe the closure. The lakebed may be wet and hazardous as it emerges and dries, and the public should not attempt to walk on it to avoid getting stuck in thick mud. The full closure order and map are posted on the Forest’s Alerts webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/wayne/alerts.
Forest employees opened the dam’s gate valve on August 13 to perform standard annual maintenance. However, the dam gate is unable to close due to malfunction or debris obstruction, and personnel must access the gate shaft to determine repairs. The lake will be drawn down 31 feet below normal pool levels in order to assess and fix the pool gate; increased water flow downstream of the dam is expected during this time.
While water levels are low, staff will also take the opportunity to conduct a full infrastructure assessment at Lake Vesuvius. In addition to dredging the Boat Launch, they will evaluate the Boardwalk, remove hazard trees, and repair portions of the NF 1955 road that was damaged by ice storms in 2021.
Available Activities
- Swimming Site - Swimming Site
- Day Use Area - Day Use Area
- Wildlife Viewing - Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking - Hiking
- Camping - Camping
- Archery - Archery
- Boating - Boating
- Canoeing - Canoeing
- Fishing - Fishing
- Picnicking - Picnicking
- Kayaking - Kayaking
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.
Contact Information
Phone: 740-534-6500
IRONTON RANGER DISTRICT6518 STATE ROUTE 93
PEDRO, OH 45659
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site 004, Loop ROAD, Type Group Shelter Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop 2 Point, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop FURN, Type Group Shelter Electric
