Lake Vesuvius — Attraction in Elizabeth Township

I enjoy backpacking and was trying to get my 13 year old stepson interested in the community by starting him out on something simple and close to water sources. The area is beautiful and the lake was about as pristine as I've seen in Ohio, the trail was well maintained and the experience was mostly positive.

Our issue started when it was time to set up camp for the night and they were all taken within several miles by people who were not camping, and in some instances openly doing drugs and drinking. Being a petite female with a young boy, I figured it best to avoid any possible confrontation between us and them and instead continued moving down the trail well into dark. The campsites were large enough, at some locations, to share and still even maintain some privacy, I just didn't want to get into an argument with groups of partygoers. So we had no other choice but to hike back to the public beach area. Once there I checked all of the posted ordinances and figured as LNT as I am, to stay next to the trailhead would be fine, there were no regulations stating otherwise. Needless to say, that around an hour into our stay, one of the rudest park rangers came by and asked us to leave the area. I explained about the issues we'd had at ALL of the campsites and how it would be unsafe for me to take my stepson into those areas, especially after dark. I told him we had no issue with relocating and that our only wish was for him to accompany us to the closest one that a group of teens had taken over and trashed, we'd even be willing to clean it up as long as he could accompany us in an official manner, AND maybe bust some littering underage drinkers in the process. Let me state clearly, I do not expect ANY special treatment, and have hiked the AT twice along with many other section hikes, backwoods etc., I'm a firm believer in following ordinances and always respectful to park rangers. But, THIS guy was a different breed all together. He simply informed me, that he would not "go traipsing (sp??) into the woods, because I believed that people were misusing the campsites..." , so around 9pm I had our overnight packs back on and drove the 3+ hours back home after hiking out another 2.5 hours in the dark, passed the same people we had issues with earlier. Needless to say, my son hasn't asked to accompany me out again.

Long story short; as a national park they supposedly do not post all ordinances online or on location; Someone may come along and badger you about this, but be unwilling to make any effort to remedy the issue, even in instances that post safety hazards to law abiding park visitors; There is apparently no oversight to the issue of drug use and drinking on the trail, as I've spoken to many others who were put in the same awkward and potentially dangerous situation.

It really is a beautiful area, but even as laid back as I am and used to the many different types of ppl that hike trails, these weren't hikers, they were people aware of the remoteness of the campsites and either boated or hiked into to partake in illegal activities, that seemingly go ignored on the lake.

• All of this was nearly 11 months ago, things may have changed, I was recently asked to...

Probably, one of the most peaceful lakes I’ve been to, in a while. Took a hike (4 miles) in the trail hugging the lake. While on hike, observed many people fishing and keeping in their own, in lake and on shore. Everyone keeps their distance and everyone was respectful and friendly—observing, common hiking etiquette. The views of the lake and surroundings are incredible and, like mentioned, incredibly peaceful. Seeing the season change slowly was a treat. Definitely one of my favorite...

Beach was closed when I visited. Short 1-2 mile hike from parking lot to beach area. Then nice loop along lake up ridgeline that puts you out about 100 yards from the parking/camping area. Some interesting cave fronts/limestone washouts visible from the road but I did not explore. Lovely area a little difficult to find. Friendly locals, chatted with a mother whose son's cross country team was training. She was very pleasant and gave me the low-down...