Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius

USDA Forest Service campground, 34 sites

Overview

Iron Ridge is one of two campgrounds in the Vesuvius Recreation Area in southeastern Ohio's Wayne National Forest. Iron Ridge offers a great location for outdoor recreation, with activities like boating, swimming and fishing on Lake Vesuvius. Horseback riding and hiking are also available in the rolling hills surrounding the campground.

Recreation

Boating, fishing and swimming on Lake Vesuvius are the area's most popular activities. Anglers may catch bass, catfish, crappie or bluegill.

More than 40 miles of trails exist in the area, with trailheads beginning at or near the campground. A 1/2-mile hiking trail connects the campground to Lake Vesuvius. Lake Shore Trail offers an 8-mile loop around the lake and shorter trails lead to Rock House Cave, a grand, tunnel-like sandstone cave that was once used by Native Americans for shelter.

Facilities

The campground offers multiple sites for RV camping, many of which have electric hookups. Some first-come, first-serve sites are also available. Each campsite can accommodate up to eight individuals.



Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. The campground has accessible flush toilets, showers and drinking water. Campsites 9, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 all have access to shared water spigots, while all other campsites have their own individual water-hookups. A dump station is located on-site.

Natural Features

Iron Ridge Campground is located on a wooded ridge above 143-acre Lake Vesuvius. A scenic forest of mature eastern hardwoods covers the area.

Nearby Attractions

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