Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius
Campground · Ohio · 32 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Wayne National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 32
- Bookable sites
- 58 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 8
- People per site
- 767 ft
- Elevation
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.The facts
- 32 bookable sites
- 34 sites in total, including non-bookable
- Vehicles up to 58 ft
- Up to 8 people per site
- Loops: IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS
Site types
- 17 Standard Electric
- 4 Standard Nonelectric
- 4 Tent Only Nonelectric
- 4 Walk To
- 3 Tent Only Electric
- 2 Management
Amenities
- Electric hookups
- Water hookups
- Sewer hookups
- Campfires allowed
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: fire pits.
34 campsites at Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 1:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Access | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001_HOST | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Management | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 002 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 003 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 004 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 005 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 006 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 007 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 008 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 009 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 010 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 011 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 012 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 013 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 35 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 014 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 015 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 016 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 017 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 018 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 019 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Tent Only Electric | — | Gravel | Hike In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 020 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Tent Only Electric | — | Gravel | Hike In | — | 8 | |
| 021 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Tent Only Electric | — | Gravel | Hike In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 022 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 023 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | Gravel | Hike In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 024 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Walk To | — | Gravel | Hike In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 025 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Walk To | — | Gravel | Hike In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 026 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Walk To | — | Gravel | Hike In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 027 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Walk To | — | Gravel | Hike In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 028 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 029 HOST | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Management | — | Paved | Drive In | 58 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 030 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 031 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | Drive In | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 032 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | Paved | Hike In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 033 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | Paved | Hike In | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 034 | IRON RIDGE LAKE VESUVIUS | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 45 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From U.S. Highway 52 at Ironton, Take State Route 93 north for 6 miles to the Lake Vesuvius Road (County Road 29). Turn east toward Lake Vesuvius and travel 1 mile to the recreation area.
38.61075, -82.61507 · 38°36'38.7"N 82°36'54.2"W
Typical weather
Typically 86°F in Jul, down to 41°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 41 | 45 | 54 | 67 | 75 | 83 | 86 | 85 | 79 | 68 | 55 | 46 |
| Low °F | 20 | 22 | 29 | 38 | 49 | 58 | 62 | 60 | 52 | 40 | 30 | 25 |
| Precip in | 3.3 | 3.1 | 4.2 | 3.7 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 5.6 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 3.1 | 2.9 | 3.7 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 9.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
There is a $5 electric hookup fee. The total fee of electric site is composed of $15 basic camping fee and $5 electric fee.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius
- Can you reserve a site at Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius?
- Yes, Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius have?
- 34 sites in total, of which 32 can be booked.
- What is the maximum RV length at Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius?
- 58 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius.
- Does Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius have hookups?
- Electric, Water, Sewer.
- Are campfires allowed at Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius?
- Campfires are allowed at Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius
- Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area 0.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Oak Hill - Lake Vesuvius 1.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Iron Ridge Campground 0.6 mi · Campground
- Balancing Rock Trailhead 0.9 mi · Facility
- Underground Railroad: Vesuvius Furnace 1 mi · Facility
- Pine Knob Loop 1.1 mi · Campground
- Longbow Archery Trailhead 1.2 mi · Facility
- Two Point Group Campground 1.3 mi · Campground
- Ironton Ranger District - Ironton Area 1.8 mi · Facility
- Bluegrass Trailhead 3.1 mi · Facility
- John's Creek Trailhead 3.6 mi · Facility
- Superior OHV System 6.1 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 740-534-6500
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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