lakehope22.pdf

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks & Watercraft

2045 Morse Rd.

Columbus, OH 43229 - 6693

An Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/H printed on recycled content paper

LAKE HOPE STATE PARK

Located in southeastern Ohio, the 2,983-acre Lake Hope State Park is a natural paradise. The entire park lies with the 28,614-acre Zaleski State Forest in the valley of Big Sandy Run. It is a rugged, heavily forested region traversed by steep gorges and narrow ridges.

This eye-catching scenery offers many opportunities for photographers, hikers and historians to enjoy.

NATURE OF THE AREA

Lake Hope State Park is truly a nature lover’s dream. In the forest-draped hills, the observant visitor can discover the abundant natural resources of this wild and scenic park. Although most of the forest was cut to fuel the iron smelting industry that once flourished here, the land has recovered and supports a magnificent, second-growth forest. Oak and hickory are the dominant trees, while the woodland floor harbors a fascinating assemblage of shrubs and wildflowers.

The yellow lady’s slipper, one of Ohio’s rarest and most showy orchids, blooms in secluded hollows in the park. Other spring wildflowers, such as blue-eyed mary, bloodroot and wild geranium, can be seen along the trails.

Deer and wild turkey are often seen in a number of park locations. Of the many animal inhabitants, none is as popular as the beaver. As nature’s dam builders, the beavers are found in numbers and can be observed near the quiet inlets of the lake.

HISTORY OF THE AREA

Though the roar of the iron furnaces no longer echoes through the hills of Vinton County, there are many reminders of days gone by at Lake Hope State Park. Situated at the heart of Ohio’s Hanging Rock iron region, the park reflects the rich history of much of southeastern Ohio.

The Hope Furnace was built here more than 100 years ago to process the iron ore extracted from the region’s sandstone bedrock. The iron resulting from the ore smelting process was used to produce many different items, including ammunition and cannons for the Union Army during the Civil War. Hundreds of men labored, cutting timber, working the furnace and driving teams of oxen hauling iron ore to the furnace.

Charcoal fires were tended 24 hours a day. So much wood was required for this process that the surrounding hillsides were almost completely stripped of their timber. At the height of the Hope Furnace’s production, Ohio was one of the nation’s leading producers of iron. As time passed, iron ore was discovered farther west, and Ohio’s reputation as a major iron producer waned.

By 1900, nearly all of the major furnaces in southern Ohio were shut down. Today, the Hope Furnace chimney and some of the foundation are all that remain of the structure. In the vicinity of the chimney, one may find pieces of slag, the cast-off residue from the smelting process. These pock-marked, glass-like pieces have now become a part of the forest floor. The forest we now see is one that has grown back where a primeval forest once stood hundreds of years ago.

For a time, coal was an important Vinton County export. A number of mines tunneled into the hills and large quantities of coal were transported out in ox-drawn coal cars. Most of the mines were abandoned early in the 20th century.

Lake Hope Forest Park was created in 1937 by the Division of Forestry. The Division of Parks and Recreation and Lake Hope State Park came into existence in 1949 when the Ohio Department of Natural Resources was created.

TRAILS

Seven hiking trails traverse the park, giving visitors a chance to thoroughly explore this scenic park.

Hikers can visit the historic Hope Furnace and a series of caves along the trail system.

A 29-mile backpack trail with primitive campsites is available in the adjacent state forest. Backpackers must self-register at the trailhead upon arrival.

Twenty-nine miles of bridle trail are also located in the state forest. The bridle trails are available to riders with their own mounts.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Eight biking trails cross the park. Steep hills and ravines offer challenges suited to intermediate and advanced cyclists.

Lake Hope’s 23-mile singletrack bike trail was chosen as Ohio’s top mountain bike trail by readers of Mountain Bike Magazine.

BOATING, PADDLESPORTS AND

SWIMMING

The 120-acre lake only allows boats with electric motors and can be accessed by one launch ramp.

A variety of paddle equipment is available to rent including pontoons, canoes, kayaks and stand up boards.

A 600-foot swimming beach is located near the dam. Facilities include a beach house with a sun deck, restrooms and a snack bar where food and beverages can be purchased.

PICNICKING

Nine picnic areas with tables and grills are located at many secluded and scenic areas around the park. A shelter house may be reserved on-line or by calling 866-OHIOPARKS.

DINING

The Lake Hope Lodge offers made-from-scratch food using Ohio products, with a strong emphasis on real pit barbecue, which is smoked with hickory in a traditional pit. The dining lodge is open to the public year round and is available for holidays and special events.

FISHING AND HUNTING

Anglers will find good catches of bluegill, catfish, crappie and largemouth bass at Lake Hope. A valid Ohio fishing license is required.

Hunting is permitted in the adjacent Zaleski State Forest. A valid Ohio hunting license is required.

WINTER RECREATION

Under the proper winter conditions, park guests can enjoy sledding, cross-county skiing, ice skating and ice fishing.

T H I N G S T O D O Horseback Riding • Mountain Biking • Hiking •

Picnicking • Picnic Shelters • Camping • Swimming • Boating • Fishing • Sledding • Cross-Country Skiing •

Nature Center

P L A C E S T O S T A Y Laurel Lodge • Cabins • Family Campground •

Group Camp

For reservations, visit reserveohio.com or call 866-OHIOPARKS.

N E A R B Y A T T R A C T I O N S The Hope School House Interpretive Center •

Vinton Furnace State Forest • Moonville Tunnel • Zaleski State Forest • Strouds Run State Park •

Burr Oak State Park • Lake Alma State Park

For more information on area attractions, call 800-BUCKEYE or visit ohio.org.

C A M P I N G The family campground offers 46 electric sites and 141 non-electric campsites, along with heated shower houses. A flush restroom installed in 2016 and laundry facilities are also available to accommodate campers. Pets are welcome on all sites.

Group camp is available for organized groups on a reservation basis.

To learn more about overnight options and bridle trails at Zaleski State Forest, call (740) 596-5781.

Camping reservations may be made online at reserveohio.com or by calling 866-OHIOPARKS.

C A B I N S Cabins are available in a variety of models. There are 25 Standard cabins, 21 Legacy Furnace cabins and 20 Legacy Forest cabins. Of these, 26 cabins underwent renovations in 2016 that improved and modernized bedroom, bathroom and kitchen fixtures while maintaining the original hardwood floors and unique fireplaces modeled after the historic Hope Furnace.

All cabins offer linens, towels and complete kitchens with microwave ovens, heat, air conditioning, outdoor grills and fire rings. Pets are permitted in select cabins.

Two camper cabins come equipped with two bunks, a mini refrigerator, air conditioning and heat. Each can house up to six people.

Cabin reservations may be made online at reserveohio.com or by calling 866-OHIOPARKS.

L A U R E L L O D G E Groups may reserve Laurel Lodge, a two-level rustic lodge with a beautiful stone fireplace year-round. Up to 24 guests can be accommodated with eight bedrooms including four with one double and two single beds, as well as four with two single beds. Five bathrooms are available as well.

The main living area features a large-screened TV, along with sofas, chairs and dining tables.

A commercial-sized kitchen with all basic cooking equipment is also provided. Outside, a charcoal grill and fire ring is available for those wishing to barbecue.

LEGEND

TRAILS

Copperhead Trail 7.2 miles Little Sandy Trail 4.5 miles Wildcat Trail 3.5 miles Sidewinder Trail 2.5 miles Bobcat Trail 2.0 miles Yosemite Falls Trail 3.5 miles Yosemite Ridge Trail 1.5 miles Red Oak Trail .5 miles

Habron Hollow Trail 1.5 miles White Oak Trail .25 miles Buzzard Cave Trail .5 miles Greenbriar Trail .5 miles Peninsula Trail 3.0 miles Olds Hollow Trail 1.5 miles Hope Furnace Trail 3.2 miles

Mountain Bike

Hiking

LAKE HOPE

STATE PARK

NELSONVILLE

MCARTHUR

LOGAN

ZALESKI

STATE FOREST

TURKEY RIDGE

WILDLIFE AREA

WATERLOO

WILDLIFE

AREA

356278

ODNR DIVISIONS

State Park State Forest Wildlife Area

HOPE FURNACE

Hope Schoolhouse Interpretive Center

Parking

Restrooms

Picnic Area

Picnic Shelter

Park/Camp Office

Nature Center

Cabins

Campground

Amphitheater Zaleski Backpack Trailhead

Point of Interest

Dam

Pioneer Cemetery

Restaurant

Snack Bar

Beach

Launch Ramp

Canoe Rental

Archery

Basketball

Horseshoes

Bike Trailhead

Dining Lodge

Laurel Lodge PIONEER

CEMETERY

BOAT HOUSE

CAMP OFFICE

Shea Rd.

Furnace R idge R d.

H op e Fu rn ac e Tr ai l

H abron H ollow Trail

Copperhead Trail

C opperhead Trail

Copperhead Trail

Yo se m it e Fa lls T ra il

C op p er h ea d T ra il

Red Oak Trail

Bobcat Trail

Bobcat Trail

W ildcat Trail

W ild cat Trail

H ope Furnace Trail

Litt le Sandy Trail

Little Sandy Trail

Sidewinder Trail

Sidewinder Trail

White Oak Trail

Buzzard Cave Trail

Peninsula Trail

Peninsula Trail

Greenbriar Trail

Olds Hollow Trail

Irish R idg e R d.

Bolin Rd.

Irish Ridge Rd.

Lake Ridge Rd.

P ark R d . 1

Park Rd. 9

Cabin Ridge Rd.

Lo n g R id g e R d

Lo ng

R id ge R d.

Hunt Hollow Rd.

Long Ridge Rd.

M ile R d.

W he el ab ou t R d.

CAMPGROUND AREA

(See Campground Map)

LAKE RIDGE

GROUP CAMP

OAK POINT

GROUSE POINT

To Hwy 56

(6 miles)

LAKE HOPE STATE PARK

Yo se m it e R id ge

T ra il Gate

Gate

Gate

To Zaleski State Forest Headquarters (4 miles)

To Turkey Ridge Wildlife Area

For reservations, call the park at

740-596-4938.

15-21

60-66 1-14

24-41

22-23

42-59

KEETON

CEMETERY