Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area
Wayne National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: PEDRO, OH, OH
Price: From $35 per night
Price range: $35–$52 per night
Rating: 3.4 out of 5 (10 reviews)
Season: May through October
Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area, named for the old Vesuvius iron furnace, is the Wayne National Forest’s premier developed recreation site. The 143-acre lake and 1,200-acre complex provides the perfect spot for a getaway.The closest town is Ironton, Ohio, less than 10 miles from the campground.Lake Vesuvius is a popular location for swimming and fishing. Anglers may catch bass, catfish, crappie and bluegill.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Showers, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/lake-vesuvius-recreation-area to be notified when sites open up.
Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area is Wayne National Forest's premier developed recreation site with 143 acres of lake and 1,200-acre complex offering excellent fishing for bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill, plus hiking trails and a swimming beach at Big Bend, all at an affordable $35/night.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, American Beaver, White-tailed Deer, Eastern Cottontail, Northern Bobwhite, Northern Cardinal, Rough Greensnake, Eastern Copperhead, and Broad-headed Skink documented in the area.
Insider tips for Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area: Book early as this is a federal campground with only 3 tent sites Lake water levels vary seasonally—check current conditions before trip Multiple hiking trails available on the 1,200-acre complex
Skip Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area if: You need RV hookups—no hookups available at most sites. You require year-round camping—seasonal operations only May-October. You need large campground—only 3 total sites available.
Best time to visit Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius (PEDRO, OH), Oak Hill - Lake Vesuvius (PEDRO, OH), Beech Fork Shelters (LAVALETTE, WV), Grayson Lake Damsite Shelters (GRAYSON, KY).
Cell Phone Coverage at Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area
Cell signal at Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area (PEDRO, OH): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area, named for the old Vesuvius iron furnace, is the Wayne National Forest’s premier developed recreation site. The 143-acre lake and 1,200-acre complex provides the perfect spot for a getaway.The closest town is Ironton, Ohio, less than 10 miles from the campground.Lake Vesuvius is a popular location for swimming and fishing. Anglers may catch bass, catfish, crappie and bluegill.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a federal campground with only 3 tent sites
Lake water levels vary seasonally
check current conditions before trip
Multiple hiking trails available on the 1,200-acre complex
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Wayne National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Wayne National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area cost per night?+
What season is Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area open?+
Does Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area?+
How do I make reservations at Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area?+
What is the cell service like at Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area?+
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●Data sources on this page
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