Wayne National Forest - Ironton Ranger District
The Ironton District of the Wayne National Forest provides 100,000 acres of public land to enjoy. Here, far from the big cities, this part of Ohio offers rural landscapes and a variety of activities available to the public. The rolling hills north of the Ohio River are a patchwork of farmland, small communities, and expanses of national forest land. The general forest area is open year-round and most activities are free.
The most popular attraction on this part of the Wayne National Forest is Lake Vesuvius. The 143-acre lake includes a wooden boardwalk, fishing piers, boat rentals, trails, and a nature center. The newly renovated Oak Hill Campground offers a fully-accessible camping experience.
The Forest Service office that manages this area is located on Highway 93 just north of Lake Vesuvius. Two areas nearby provide a trail system for off-highway vehicles (OHVs). One is the Hanging Rock area which provides 26 miles of trail, the other is the 20-mile Pine Creek area. These trail systems are open from April 15-December 15 each year. In addition to Lake Vesuvius, the Ironton District has several other fishing lakes. The Hanging Rock complex has over 50 small lakes for anglers. Other fishing pond complexes, trails, and hunting opportunities are available.
Address
Ironton Ranger District Office
6518 State Route 93
Pedro, Ohio
45659
Phone Number(s)
Local Number: (740) 534-6500
Fax: (740) 534-0620
E-mail Address(es)
General Information: r9_wayne_website@fs.fed.us
Hours
Monday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Special Hours: The hours above are only for the administrative office. The Forest is open 24 hours a day.
Website(s)
Homepage
Admission
Trail Permit - Daily: 12.00
Permit required for OHV, mountain bike, and horse riders.
Trail Permit Seasonal: 45.00
Permits required for OHVs, mountain bikes, and horses on the trails systems.
Trail permit - weekend: 24.00
Accepted Forms of Payment
Cash, Check
Parking
FREE