Not so far deep into our rolling hills is one of the best nature spots in southern Ohio, the Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area, which is centered around the titular lake located just outside of Pedro, Ohio and named after the historic Vesuvius Iron Furnace.
Lake Vesuvius holds a very special place in my heart. I remember going here with my grandparents and brothers as a child, and I have a very specific memory of a time when the lake was completely drained, leaving a deep valley of mud. My older brothers thought it would be a fun idea to walk out into the mud which sat below what was once a vast body of water, and they quickly regretted their decision. They immediately began sinking, and our terror grew. Within a few moments they were down to their little knees in mud! I don’t remember what the resolution was, but I do know that they got out and lived to tell the tale.Â
The lake has since been refilled with water, and remains a popular destination for people of all age groups in the Ironton and Ashland area. In addition to the lake, there are a number of other opportunities for recreation at this location.
Per AllTrails, Lake Vesuvius has six overlapping hiking trails (including an archery trail), a scenic overlook, a group campground and two family campgrounds, a beach area for swimming, picnic areas, a boardwalk commonly used for fishing, and 143 acres of water for electric-motor boating, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing.
Like some of the deeply-wooded areas of Kyova, you might find yourself without cellphone reception at Lake Vesuvius. That’s okay though, because sometimes its best to put your devices away and reconnect with the natural world.
How to Get to Lake Vesuvius
Getting to Lake Vesuvius is fairly easy depending on where you’re coming from. Under the assumption that you’ve traveled from your area to one of our cities, I’m going to list a few different areas that one may be coming from and hopefully we can get you out there in no time!
If you’re coming from around Portsmouth, you’ll want to take US 52 East towards Ironton.
If you’re coming from around Ashland or Huntington, you’ll want to take US 52 West towards Ironton.
The exit that you’ll want to look for is OH 93 North. You will briefly enter the city of Ironton once you exit the highway, and then when you go north you’ll pass a shopping center with Buffalo Wild Wings attached to it.Â
Continue north on this four-lane highway for about 6 miles through the rolling hills, and eventually it will become a two-lane highway. You’ll see a sign for Wayne National Forest on the righthand side, but just in case you miss it, there will be a carryout store with a big cutout Bigfoot on the side. You will turn right onto County Road 29 and continue on the hills for another few minutes, and then you will arrive at this place of beauty and majesty.
Let’s dig a little bit deeper and take a look at some of the fun opportunities that await us at Lake Vesuvius!
Hiking
Big Bend Beach Trail
This 2.8 mile, out-and-back trail is considered the easiest route in the system, taking an average of one hour to complete. This trail begins at the boat ramp and takes you along the shore of the lake, overlapping with the lakeshore trail and the backpack trail. At times this can be a very narrow trail, and if you’re hiking alone that is fine, but group hikers will need to form a line to avoid going off-trail.
The trail is very well-maintained, though if you’re hiking in the days or even weeks after a major storm, there may be some tree limbs and brush knocked down, blocking portions of the paths. If you’re an experienced hiker, this will be no problem to you, but if you’re just starting out, you may find yourself confused on what you’ll need to do in this situation. My recommendation is to not be afraid to get a little bit dirty and try to maneuver yourself as best as you can to get around the obstacle.
As with any trail, there are a few spots that can be a little bit muddy. That’s why I suggest having a dedicated pair of hiking shoes that you don’t care to get some mud on! My go to shoes are the Merrell Moab 2 Vents. They’re a very comfy fit, they’re rugged and sturdy, but they’re also not so heavy that you can’t lift your feet to walk! The versatile blend of stylish and functional along with the reasonable price makes this shoe a no-brainer.
Rock House Trail/Scarlett Oak Trail Loop
This 1.7 mile loop trail is a fairly easy one to complete, although it’s considered a moderate-difficulty trail, taking about 45 minutes to complete. The first portion of the trail starts at the opposite end of the boat ramp/parking lot, and since the trail is paved, it is perfect for the elderly, the young, and the disabled folks.
History nerds will also love this one! Along the route you’ll find historical plaques telling about the industrial aspects of the lake’s history, along with a number of benches along the way, leading to a beautiful rock formation that is great for photos! There is a steep incline shortly before you get to the rock formation, but otherwise this portion of the trail is fairly level.
After the rock formation, the trail increases in difficulty and the pavement ends. Hikers report having to do some climbing to complete the trail, and some recommend not doing it solo. That decision is up to you!
Lake Vesuvius Lakeshore Trail
This 7.6 mile trail is my personal favorite. Beginning at the boat ramp and also ending at the boat ramp, this trail is considered a moderate trail, and generally takes an average of just under three hours to complete. Some users on AllTrails report that the trail is a little bit longer than 7.6 miles, and it may actually be closer to 9 miles.
There are a number of sandstone cliff formations and views of the lake on the lakeshore trail. As the name suggests, this trail takes you on a loop of the entire lake area with great views of the water throughout. At one point on the trail there is an off-path that leads to the top of a cliff with the gorgeous view that we see in the first photo on this article.
Users on AllTrails also report that this trail can be a bit muddy at times. I’ve never had any trouble with it, but it may be something worth looking out for.
Lake Vesuvius Backpack and Lakeshore Loop
Another favorite trail of mine, this 6.2 mile loop begins near the spillway and traverses through the woods before running concurrent with a portion of the Lakeshore Trail. Last year I went mushroom hunting on this trail and found quite a few of them.
An interesting feature of this trail is the foundation of an old home, complete with chimneys. There is nothing left of it other than the foundation, but I always get the feeling that I’m being watched whenever I go near it, especially when I’m alone. I really wonder who lived in that home when it was standing and what their story was. That might be something for a future article.
Lake Vesuvius Backpack Trail
This is the most difficult trail in the Lake Vesuvius system, clocking in at 18.1 miles and generally takes about 7.5 hours to complete. Running concurrent with a few of the other trails, it is considered a hard trail to complete, so the inexperienced hiker should definitely work their way up to this one. Full disclosure: I have not been able to complete the entire thing. One day I will, but for now we will rely on the wonderful users of AllTrails to provide us with the information that we need.
Users report that this is a very secluded trail, and it’s unlikely that you’ll even run into anyone while you’re walking it. There are few available campsites if you’re planning on camping while hiking, and another user reported seeing a flock of wild turkeys and some deer while camping out one night.
Longbow Archery Trail
This trail is generally considered an easy trail. It is only 0.9 miles long, and takes an average of 22 minutes to complete. It is a gravel trail and features a number of targets for archers along the way, culminating in a road which leads back to the trailhead.
Camping
Camping is a beautiful American pasttime, and no lake would be complete without campgrounds. Lake Vesuvius has two campgrounds: Iron Ridge and Oak Hill, with the latter being reported to have recently been renovated to including modern conveniences such as electric hookups and flushing toilets.
The Oak Hill campground is located a short walk away from the boat ramp and a little bit of a longer walk away from the beach area.
The Iron Ridge campground, on the other hand, is located on the opposite side of the lake closer to the Backpack and Lakeshore Loop trail.
Reservations typically run about $15-20 per night and can be made here.
Boating
When I think of Lake Vesuvius, I think of serenity. The thing I like about Lake Vesuvius is that there are no gas-powered boats on the lake at all, as they are prohibited. This means that there is no air pollution, no noise pollution, and no right-of-way issues when you’re kayaking or canoeing on the lake, which is a favorite activity of mine.
You don’t even need to own a kayak to get out on the lake when the sun is out thanks to Kountry Kayaks! Kountry Kayaks sets up on weekends, so if you’re a weekday kayaker you may be out of luck. If that’s the case, then grab yourself an easily-transportable inflatable kayak and hit the water!
Picnics
Like many families, mine had a tradition of Sunday picnics at all the various lakes in our area, and Lake Vesuvius was one we frequented quite often. Shortly after you enter the park, close to the spillway, and across from the iron furnace, are two picnic areas; one of them is a shelter house and the other one is just a number of picnic tables underneath some very tall trees next to a little creek plum full of crawdads and minnows. Celebrate your family the American way with some hotdogs and hamburgers!
Conclusion
Whether you’re an avid hiker, a devoted boater, or just want a nice and quiet place to sit and enjoy life for a moment, I’m confident that Lake Vesuvius is one of the best nature spots in southern Ohio. Its tranquility is unmatched, and that’s why I’m so drawn to it. I hope you are too.