Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius

Iron Ridge is one of two campgrounds in the Vesuvius Recreation Area in southeastern Ohio's Wayne National Forest. It offers a great location for outdoor recreation, with activities like boating, swimming and fishing on Lake Vesuvius, and horseback riding and hiking in the rolling hills surrounding the campground. Boating, fishing and swimming on Lake Vesuvius are the area's most popular activities, and 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 half-mile hiking trail connects the campground to Lake Vesuvius, the 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. The campground offers multiple sites for RV camping, many of which have electric hookups, and some first-come, first-serve sites are also available. Each campsite can accommodate up to eight individuals and 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. Iron Ridge Campground is located on a wooded ridge above 143-acre Lake Vesuvius, where a scenic forest of mature eastern hardwoods covers the area. The closest town is Ironton, Ohio, less than 10 miles from the campground.