 © Tabitha Cullison
VIEW PHOTO GALLERY
Facilities and Activities:
| General | Land, acres | 3103 | | | Water, acres | 120 | | | Nearby State Forest, acres | 26824 | | | Nearby Wildlife Area, acres | 1361 | | Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Hunting | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | 17 | | | Picnicking | yes | | | Picnic Shelters, # | 1 | | | Swimming Beach, feet | 600 | | | Mountain Bike Trails, miles | 17 | | | Bridle Trails, miles | 6 | | | Beach Concession | yes | | | Nature Center | yes | | | Nature Programs | yes | | Boating | Boat Rental | yes | | | Boating Limits | -1 | | | Launch Ramps, # | 1 | | Camping | Primative, # | 173 | | | Electric Sites, # | 46 | | | Pets Permitted | yes | | | Dumpstation | yes | | | Showers | yes | | | Rent-A-Camp Sites, # | 3 | | | Camper Cabins, # | 1 | | | Group Camp, capacity | 100 | | | Youth Group Camp, capacity | 100 | | | Rent-A-Teepee, # | 1 | | | Horsemen Campsites, # | 16 | | Winter | Sledding | yes | | | Cross-Country Skiing | yes | | | Ice Skating | yes | | | Ice Fishing | yes | | Accommodations | Lodge Rooms, # | yes | | | Family Cottages, # | 66 | | | Restaurant | yes |
State Park Location Maps:
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View TOPO Maps!
State Park Photo Gallery:
volunteer positions open
State Park Event Calendar:
volunteer positions open
Nearby Parks:
Waterloo State Forest
Zaleski State Forest
Hocking State Forest
Lake Logan State Park
Stroud Run State Park
Hocking Hills State Park
Lake Alma State Reserve
Sunday Creek State Wildlife Area
Wayne National Forest Dam
Wayne National Forest Pond
Wayne National Forest
Richland Furnace State Forest
Trimble State Wildlife Area
Leo Petroglyph State Memorial
Burr Oak State Park
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| State Park Overview: |
 | State Forest in the valley of Big Sandy Run. It is a rugged, heavily forested region traversed by steep gorges and narrow ridges. Abandoned mines, ancient mounds and beautiful scenery provide interest and pleasure for hikers, photographers, nature lovers and historians alike at one of Ohio's most historic and scenic state parks. |
| 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 the rarest and most showy orchids, blooms in secluded hollows. Other spring wildflowers such as blue-eyed mary, bloodroot and wild geranium can be found in abundance.
Deer and wild turkeys are often seen in a number of park locations. Of the many animals inhabiting the park, 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. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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One week of relaxation!
The retreat our family looks forward to every year.
Written by ksulibraryguy
13-Jun-2008
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| Camping: |
| A beautiful 119-site campground is suitable for tents or trailers. The campground includes heated showerhouses, pit latrines, waste disposal, laundry facilities, picnic tables and fire rings. Forty-six sites have electric hookups. Three Rent-A-Camp units consisting of a tent, dining fly, cooler, cook stove and other equipment, and two camper-cabins can be rented during the summer months by reservation. Pets are permitted. A group camp is available for organized groups on a reservation basis. A horsemen's camp is offered for bridle trail users in Zaleski State Forest. |
| Trails: |
| More than 17 miles of hiking trails traverse the lake and scenic woodlands of the Lake Hope area and offer opportunities for photography and nature study. Seventeen miles of singletrack, multi-use trail are available for mountain biking. In the adjacent state forest, a 21-mile backpack trail with primitive campsites is available. Backpackers must register upon arrival. Thirty-three miles of bridle trail are available for riders with their own mounts in the state forest. |
| Picnicking: |
| Picnic areas with tables and grills are located at many secluded and scenic areas around the park. Two picnic shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis or by reservation. |
| Boating: |
| Boats with electric motors only may be used on the 120 acre lake. Canoes and rowboats are available for rent at the beach concession, mid-May through October. |
| Swimming: |
| A fine swimming beach is located near the dam. Facilities include a bathhouse with restrooms, showers and change booths and a concession building where food and beverages can be purchased. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Anglers will find good catches of bluegill, catfish, crappie and largemouth bass at Lake Hope. Hunting is permitted in the adjacent Zaleski State Forest. A valid Ohio hunting or fishing license is required. |
| 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, Lake Hope State Park reflects the rich history of much of southeastern Ohio.
The Hope Furnace was built here over 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 cannon 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 hundreds of years ago a primeval forest once stood.
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 this 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. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| | | Cottages and Cabins | |  | Mesa Vista Lodge - Union Furnace, OH
Mesa Vista Lodge offers 4200 sq. ft. of luxury living with 6 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2 gas log fireplaces, massive kitchen/dining/great room with cathedral ceiling, 8-10 person hot tub and 2400 sq. ft. of covered walk-around porch.
Web Site: http://www.mesavista-lodge.com/ |
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| |  | Tranquil Retreat Cabins - South Bloomingville, OH
Let nature entertain you! Whether you are sitting in the Hot Tub, OR relaxing on one of our log beds, OR just listening to the rippling stream, Or exploring the small cave on the property, NATURE SURROUNDS YOU!
Web Site: http://www.tranquilretreatcabins.com |
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| |  | Hocking Hills Dreamscape Hideaway - Logan, OH
This is not your typical cabin in the woods and you ain?t gonna be roughing it. It?s a log home lovingly furnished to make you feel spoiled. From the moment you enter, you?ll realize that you?ve found your dreamscape. Beautiful, tranquil music playing the background (feel free to take the CD home with you), luxurious amenities all around you, a soothing, private hot tub overlooking the forest and a bottle of champagne chilling next to the flick-of-a-switch gas fireplace. Oh yes, you have arrived! And we promise you?ll wish you never had to leave.
Web Site: http://www.dreamscapehideaway.com/ |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Local Visitor Information Web Sites |
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| Related Links: |
| Lake Hope - Ohio has 73 state parks that offer a variety of outdoor experiences. | | Fall Color Reports from Ohio - Pictures from Ohio's best fall color viewing locations plus information about fall in Ohio. | | Inn At Cedar Falls in Logan, Ohio, United States near Hocking Hills State Park , Lake Hope - Take the path less traveled and experience our inn. Come explore our world of secluded 1840s log cabins or antique filled rooms. Culinary magic abounds with breakfast and dinner served on the... | | Zaleski, Ohio Parks and Recreation - Parks &Recreation in Zaleski, Ohio. Located in Vinton County, in rural Southeastern Ohio, the Village of Zaleski is situated in the heart of a beautiful region possessing a number of tremendous... | | Dining and Accommodations in Zaleski, Ohio - Dining & Accommodations in Zaleski, Ohio. Lake Hope Lodge. Dining at Lake Hope State Park. In addition to housing a meeting room and the cabin reservation office for Lake Hope, the dining lodge... | | Horse & Mule Trail Guide USA: Trails, Campgrounds, Overnight in Ohio - This page is for the state of Ohio and is a subpage of Horse Mule Trail Guide USA. ... Hockaday E-Mail, Click here ZALESKI STATE FOREST (Lake Hope State Park) Zaleski, OH 45698 Ph 614.596.5253 -- Lake Hope State Park ... | | List of Forays - Copyright ? 1999, 2001. Michigan Botanical Club. All rights reserved. Revised 03/29/02. The Michigan Botanical Club holds a meeting of the entire club on Memorial Day weekend. Year. Location. ... | | Hocking Hills Area 2002 - Copyright ? 1999, 2001. Michigan Botanical Club. All rights reserved. Revised 03/29/02. Spring Foray 2002. Are you looking for a new adventure? Then come to the 2002 Michigan Botanical Club... | | Lake Hope - Hocking Hills State Parks - Lake Hope. Lake Hope. A natural paradise, Lake Hope State Park lies entirely withinthe 18,200-acre Zaleski State Forest in the valley of Big SandyRun. It is a rugged,... | | August 1997 - August 1997. Through Aug. 22 - Friday Night Bandstand, Downtown Lancaster. For details call 614-653-8251 or 1-800-626-1296. Through Labor Day - Amphitheater Shows, Lake Alma State Park. For... | | BFC: Civil Disobedience to Stop State Forest Logging Begins! - An Ohio grassroots environmental organization with two major projects: protecting public forests and organizing citizens affected by coal mining. | | Buckeye Trail Events Calendar - Buckeye Trail - Events ... 7. To get there from the south: takeUS 50 to SR 278 north through the Lake Hope State Park to the trailhead across from the Hope Furnace. To get there from the north: take ... | | ATHENSi.com/links - ... Contradancing Burr Oak State Park The Great Outdoors (Athens County CVB) Hocking Hills Guide Lake Hope State Park More information on recreation, etc. in Athens county Old Mans Cave Strouds Run ... | | moonville - In the southeastern Ohio town of Lake Hope sits the MOONVILLE TUNNEL. This long forgotten railroad tunnel is one of the only remaining remnants of a small mining town that thrived for a short... | | Rural Action Annual Report 2000 | Sustainable Communities - ruralaction. Home. Foreword. From Carol Kuhre. From Gifford Doxsee. Sustainable Communities. Sustainable Economies. Sustainable Environments. Financial Information. Partners & Funders. ... | | Rural Action Annual Report 2000 | Financial Information - ruralaction. Home. Foreword. From Carol Kuhre. From Gifford Doxsee. Sustainable Communities. Sustainable Economies. Sustainable Environments. Financial Information. Partners & Funders. ... | | CyclePath - Cycle Path Bicycle Shop's informational web pages | | Scioto Trail Great Seal State Park Home Page1 - The Official Scioto Trail and Great Seal State Park Homepage. Your Guide to Camping, Hiking and Picnicking at Scioto Trail and Great Seal. |
| Area Attractions: |
| Hocking Hills State Park, just twenty miles northwest of Lake Hope, boasts some of the most spectacular geological formations in the state. The Blackhand Sandstone has been carved into deep gorges, large recess caves and imposing cliff faces.
Zaleski State Forest surrounds Lake Hope State Park and includes miles of hiking and bridle trails and backpacking routes. Information on backpacking is available from the Division of Forestry at (614) 265-6694. The Waterloo Wildlife Area where forest game are managed is within minutes of the park.
Lake Alma State Park, 15 miles southeast of Lake Hope, offers opportunities for fishing, camping, swimming and picnicking. |
| Area Campgrounds | | Hocking Hills State Park
19852 State Route 664 S
Logan, OH
(740) 385-6841
| Campbell Cove Camping
30775 Lake Logan Rd
Logan, OH
(740) 385-2994
| Ohio Parks Dept
Lake Alma
Wellston, OH
(740) 384-4474
| Caveman Retreat
18693 State Route 664 S
Logan, OH
(740) 385-9485
| Lake Logan Campground
28920 Lake Logan Rd
Logan, OH
(740) 385-2630
| Top of the Caves
26780 Chapel Ridge Rd
Logan, OH
(740) 385-6566
| Strouds State Park
11661 State Park Rd
Athens, OH
(740) 592-2302
| Smoke Rise Resort & Campgrounds
82 N Court St
Athens, OH
(740) 592-4077
| Lost Hollow Campgrounds
16700 Harble Griffith Rd
Logan, OH
(740) 385-6320
| Scenic View Campgrounds
29150 Pattor Rd
Logan, OH
(740) 385-4295
| Inn the Woods
17250 Campbell Rd
Nelsonville, OH
(740) 753-0500
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| | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Frank's Bait Carryout & Cnfctn
101 Central Ave
Athens, OH
(740) 593-3755
| John Bait & Tackle
351 Short St
Logan, OH
(740) 385-4772
| Williams Bait & Tackle
1268 S Pennsylvania Ave
Wellston, OH
(740) 384-6163
| Whitetail Trophy & Exotics
1984 Bell Bottom Rd Se
New Straitsville, OH
(740) 385-9079
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Burr Oak Resort
Glouster, OH
(740) 767-2112
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| Directions: |
| 27331 State Route 278, McArthur, OH 45651 |
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