Lake Vesuvius Beach
Pedro, Ohio · on Lake Vesuvius · Wayne National Forest
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $3 per vehicle
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Lake Vesuvius Beach
Lake Vesuvius Beach, officially named Big Bend Swimming Beach, is a U.S. Forest Service-managed swim beach at the upper end of Lake Vesuvius within Wayne National Forest's Ironton Ranger District in southern Ohio. It has a sandy, shallow designated swimming area with no lifeguard, and operates seasonally for a small day-use vehicle fee.
The beach sits at the upper end of Lake Vesuvius, a Forest Service reservoir set in the wooded hill country of Wayne National Forest near Ironton, Ohio. It is close to several forest facilities, including the Oak Hill and Iron Ridge campgrounds, the Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area, and the Balancing Rock Trailhead, which is part of the area's extensive horse and hiking trail network.
Swimming at Lake Vesuvius Beach
Swimming takes place in a developed, shallow, sandy-bottomed area at the lake's upper end -- a maintained lake beach rather than a wild or informal swimming hole. There is no lifeguard on duty, so it suits confident swimmers and families willing to supervise themselves in calm reservoir water.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Ironton, Ohio, the beach is about 6.5 miles north off State Route 93 via County Road 29, within Wayne National Forest's Ironton Ranger District.
Parking: Fee-based day-use parking area at the beach; America the Beautiful Pass accepted in lieu of the per-vehicle fee.
The hike in
Lakeshore Trail (optional add-on, not required to reach the beach)
Trailhead: The swim beach itself has direct drive-up/walk-up access from its own parking lot; the Lakeshore Trail departs from the beach for those who want to walk the shoreline afterward, but no trailhead or hike is needed to reach the water.
No hike is required -- Big Bend Swimming Beach has its own day-use parking lot at the water's edge. Wayne National Forest's broader Lake Vesuvius area has over 25 miles of hiking trails, a 16-mile backpacking trail, and a separate 46-mile horse trail system (with trailheads like Balancing Rock and Bluegrass), but none of these must be hiked to reach the designated swim area.
Could not find a specific published length for the Lakeshore Trail itself; it is mentioned only as an amenity accessible from the beach, not as a route to the swimming area.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy, shallow designated swim area at the upper end of the lake is well-suited to kids, but the beach has no lifeguard on duty, so parents need to actively supervise (per Wayne National Forest recreation pages).
Parking
Paid, $3 per vehicle per day; free with a valid America the Beautiful interagency pass
Day-use parking lot at the beach itself. Separate trailer parking is provided at the Lake Vesuvius boat ramp (a different location on the lake) for anyone launching a kayak/canoe/boat rather than parking at the beach.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets, an outdoor shower, and a foot-wash station are provided at the beach (potable water is not available on site, per fs.usda.gov).
Hours
Beach is seasonal, roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day (one USFS page lists May 22-Sept 7, 2026); daily beach hours 10:00 AM-8:00 PM, forest gate hours 6:00 AM-10:00 PM. Ironton Ranger District office hours are 8:30 AM-4:00 PM weekdays.
On the water
Restrictions: Only electric motors are allowed on Lake Vesuvius -- gasoline/combustion motorboats are prohibited (per fs.usda.gov). Boats launch from a dedicated boat ramp with a long loading ramp and dock, separate from the swim beach; trailer parking is provided there.
Non-motorized craft (kayaks, canoes) and electric-motor boats are both permitted on the lake; no explicit no-wake zone or horsepower limit was published in the sources found.
Rentals nearby
Canoe and kayak rentals
Lake Vesuvius Boat Ramp, Pedro, OH -- a Forest Service-permitted outfitter operating at the lake's boat ramp · Seasonal, May through September; exact daily hours not published (the outfitter's own site could not be loaded -- its SSL certificate is expired)
Lake Vesuvius Beach: FAQ
Does Lake Vesuvius Beach charge a fee?
$3 per vehicle per day for day-use access; free with a valid America the Beautiful Pass.
Is Lake Vesuvius Beach kid friendly?
Sandy, shallow designated swim area at the upper end of the lake is well-suited to kids, but the beach has no lifeguard on duty, so parents need to actively supervise (per Wayne National Forest recreation pages).
Do I need to hike to reach Lake Vesuvius Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Lake Vesuvius Beach?
Day-use parking lot at the beach itself. Separate trailer parking is provided at the Lake Vesuvius boat ramp (a different location on the lake) for anyone launching a kayak/canoe/boat rather than parking at the beach.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Lake Vesuvius Beach?
Non-motorized craft (kayaks, canoes) and electric-motor boats are both permitted on the lake; no explicit no-wake zone or horsepower limit was published in the sources found.
When is the best time to visit Lake Vesuvius Beach?
Summer, during the beach's seasonal operating window (approximately Memorial Day through Labor Day).
What are the rules at Lake Vesuvius Beach?
Seasonal operation only, roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day (specific open/close dates vary by year). Forest gate hours are 6:00 AM-10:00 PM; the beach itself operates 10:00 AM-8:00 PM. No lifeguards are on duty.
What water body is Lake Vesuvius Beach on?
Lake Vesuvius Beach is on Lake Vesuvius, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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