Rock Climbing

If your passion is scaling sheer stone walls, you’ll love a trip to Lake Vesuvius.

There are plenty of climbing trails around the shoreline of the lake, most of which are about 50 feet from the water. While the rock quality does vary, you’ll find that there are more than a dozen routes that are clean and have excellent quality. Most routes have plenty of shade from the surrounding trees, which also block heavy winds.

There are a number of routes that have bolt anchors at the top, but if you have enough rope or webbing, you’ll be able to top rope on any of the routes at the lake. The maximum height of the routes available here is about 40 feet.

Parking is available near the dam spillway.

Lake Vesuvius Fishing

Lake Vesuvius is one of the most popular fishing locales in the state of Ohio, due to the numerous species of fish found here. The lake supports all types of fishing, but it should be noted that there is an electric motor restriction for all boats on the lake.

Some of the popular species of fish include:

• Largemouth Bass
• Spotted Bass
• Channel Catfish
• Saugeye
• Bluegill
• White Crappie

If you would rather not go out on the water to cast your hook, you can try shore fishing or going to one of the many piers along the Lake Vesuvius Boardwalk Trail or the Vesuvius Lakeshore Trail. The Boardwalk is fully accessible to people of all abilities.

Boating and Other Water Recreation

As stated above, Lake Vesuvius supports many ways of enjoying a day out on the water. Whether you want to enjoy a day on your boat, kayak, or canoe, you’ll find that this lake is fantastic to explore.

At the southwestern tip of the lake is a well maintained, sizable boat ramp that services the entire lake. Nearby, you’ll find a long loading ramp and dock flanking the boat ramp.

If you are looking for canoe or kayak rentals, there is a nearby local company, Kountry Kayaks, that offers seasonal rentals.

Near the upper part of the lake lies Big Bend Swimming Beach that is open to the public seasonally. This is the only part of the lake where swimming is permitted. 

Hiking and Backpacking

Whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll or for a longer challenge, you’ll find that there are miles of trails waiting to be traversed. Some of the  most popular hiking trails are the Vesuvius Lakeshore Trail and Backpacking Trail.

The Lakeshore Trail is a scenic 8.25 mile path that wraps around the shores of the lake, as the name implies. You’ll find rows of beautiful hemlock forest, rock bluffs, and foot bridges.

The Backpack Trail is far more difficult, featuring over 17 miles of rugged terrain filled with dense vegetation. This said, there are arguably some of the best sights in the area along this path, granting unparalleled views of the lake and the surrounding landscape.

Archery at Lake Vesuvius

Visitors wishing to hone their skills with the bow will be happy to know that Lake Vesuvius has its own trail dedicated to archery: The Longbow Archery Trail.

The trail is separated into two different loops. The long loop is .62 miles of gravel trail that features 18 different targets, both two- and three-dimensional. There is little elevation to speak of. 

The shorter loop is .16 miles of crushed limestone that is level. While both loops are fully accessible, this section was specifically designed for people of all abilities. Along this path you’ll find 10 targets as well as bow hangers and benches. 

Visitors are allowed on the trail from sunrise to sunset. There are a specific set of restrictions that should be followed and that can be found on the USDA website.