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About Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 1
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Water Access
- Beach Access
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001, Loop: 2 Point
Site Details
Reviews (31)
What Guests Are Saying
Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area offers beautiful views, nice campgrounds, and well-maintained facilities, including clean vault toilets and ample picnic tables. While the lake is currently drained and ticks were reported to be an issue, many visitors still enjoyed the trails and appreciated the peaceful environment. The handicap-accessible trail is a good option for those looking for a leisurely walk.
What Guests Are Saying
Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area offers beautiful views, nice campgrounds, and well-maintained facilities, including clean vault toilets and ample picnic tables. While the lake is currently drained and ticks were reported to be an issue, many visitors still enjoyed the trails and appreciated the peaceful environment. The handicap-accessible trail is a good option for those looking for a leisurely walk.
Review Summary
Imperator Odaenathus “Swissy”
July 8, 2026
Honestly came here to day hike the full lake trail. I didn't know the lake was drained but I was willing to try it out anyway. Unfortunately, the ticks were bad. Really bad. The worst I've ever seen. By the time I reached the 1.5 mile mark, where there's a other trailhead and it connects to the road, I decided to bail and take the road back to my car--which was twice as far at 3 miles back rather than the 1.5 miles on trail it would've taken. Why? Again, the ticks. I'm not exaggerating when I say I saw literally hundreds on the trail. I consistently stopped every ~1-2 minutes to check my legs for them and, again, consistently found ~2-4 on me about every other time. Included appearances were lone star ticks (spread alpha gal syndrome), dog ticks (spread rocky mountain spotted fever), and deer ticks (spread Lyme's disease). I'm sure this place is great but don't go during the summer. On the other hand, there was a handicap trail that I didn't use that was a couple miles long. It was paved and had benches every couple hundred feet, and so that might be a worthwhile walk if you do go here.
Location Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area
Address:
Ironton Ranger District
Pedro, OH, 45659
United States
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.
Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area is accessible via U.S. Highway 52 at Ironton, which is approximately 10 miles away, and State Route 93, which connects directly to the campground.
Elevation: 177 feet
3 mi drive to downtown Pedro (about 5 min)
Policies & Rules
General
- 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.
- 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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: September 2, 2026
