Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area
Open for the 2026 season. Campgrounds opened April 10, 2026 and reservable sites with water/electric operate through October 11, 2026. Note: Lake Vesuvius itself is closed for dam gate repairs through September 2027, but surrounding facilities including campgrounds, trails, and most recreation amenities remain open. The boat launch is closed for dredging and beach access is limited due to low water levels.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued August 11 at 4:45PM EDT until August 11 at 5:15PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
SVRRLX The National Weather Service in Charleston West Virginia has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Northern Boyd County in northeastern Kentucky... Greenup County in northeastern Kentucky... Carter County in northeastern Kentucky... Southwestern Gallia County in southeastern Ohio... Southern Jackson County in southeastern Ohio... Lawrence County in southeastern Ohio... * Until 515 PM EDT. * At 445 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Pike Lake to 6 miles east of West Union to near Lewisburg, moving east at 50 mph. HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. * Locations impacted include... Ashland, Ironton, Grayson, Coal Grove, Olive Hill, Oak Hill, Rio Grande, Cannonsburg, Lake Vesuvius, Grayson Lake State Park, Carter Caves State Park, Greenup, Coalton, Denton, Gesling, Greenbo Lake, Oldtown, Load, Letitia, and Princess. This includes Interstate 64 in Kentucky between mile markers 149 and 184.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued August 11 at 4:31PM EDT until August 11 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS EXTENDED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 568 TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AREAS UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING IN KENTUCKY THIS WATCH INCLUDES 2 COUNTIES IN NORTHEAST KENTUCKY BOYD LAWRENCE IN OHIO THIS WATCH INCLUDES 2 COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST OHIO GALLIA LAWRENCE IN WEST VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 5 COUNTIES IN SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA LINCOLN LOGAN MINGO IN WESTERN WEST VIRGINIA CABELL WAYNE THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ALUM CREEK, ASHLAND, CANNONSBURG, CEREDO, CHAPMANVILLE, GALLIPOLIS, HAMLIN, HARTS, HUNTINGTON, IRONTON, KENOVA, LAKE VESUVIUS, LOGAN, LOUISA, MAN, SOUTH POINT, WAYNE, WILLIAMSON, AND YATESVILLE LAKE STATE PARK.
Flood Watch issued August 11 at 1:47PM EDT until August 14 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV
* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of northeast Kentucky, including the following counties, Boyd, Carter, Greenup and Lawrence, southeast Ohio, including the following counties, Athens, Gallia, Jackson OH, Lawrence OH, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, Vinton and Washington, southwest Virginia, including the following counties, Buchanan and Dickenson, and West Virginia, including the following counties, Barbour, Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Jackson WV, Kanawha, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mingo, Northwest Fayette, Northwest Nicholas, Northwest Pocahontas, Northwest Raleigh, Northwest Randolph, Northwest Webster, Pleasants, Putnam, Ritchie, Roane, Southeast Fayette, Southeast Nicholas, Southeast Pocahontas, Southeast Raleigh, Southeast Randolph, Southeast Webster, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Wayne, Wirt, Wood and Wyoming. * WHEN...Through Friday morning. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Rounds of thunderstorms will track through the area, bringing the potential for heavy downpours and training storms, which may cause flooding. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
About
Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area is the premier developed recreation site in Wayne National Forest, named for the historic Vesuvius iron furnace located at the base of the dam. The 143-acre lake was created in 1939 when the Civilian Conservation Corps dammed Storms Creek. The recreation area spans 1,200 acres of rugged hills and rock outcroppings in southeastern Ohio's Lawrence County. Two developed family campgrounds serve visitors: Iron Ridge with 34 sites and Oak Hill with 32 sites, organized across multiple loops including White Oak, Post Oak, Pine Knob, and Scarlet Oak. Both campgrounds offer standard and electric sites with 30/20 amp hookups, water hookups at select sites, flush and vault toilets, and shower facilities. A group campground accommodates up to 50 people. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. The area boasts more than 25 miles of hiking trails and 46 miles of horseback riding trails. An accessible 1/3-mile boardwalk provides a leisurely walk along the lake's southwest edge. The Longbow Archery Trail offers 25 field targets for shooting practice. Fishing opportunities include bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill, though only electric motor boats are permitted on the lake.
Directions
From US Highway 52 at Ironton, take State Route 93 north for approximately 6.5 miles to Lake Vesuvius Road (County Road 29). Turn east and travel 1 mile to the recreation area.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | Yes |
| Water Hookups | Yes |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $35 - $52 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 45ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 45ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (740) 534-6500 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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