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25

LAKE HOPE STATE PARK

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Lake Hope State Park Entrance Sign © Lonnie Williams
Entrance Sign
Lake Hope State Park Lake Hope State Park © Lonnie Williams
Forest View
Lake Hope State Park Lake Hope State Park © Lonnie Williams
Lake View
Lake Hope State Park Lake Hope State Park © Lonnie Williams
Panoramic Lake View
Lake Hope State Park Lake Hope State Park © Lonnie Williams
Panoramic Swamp View
Lake Hope State Park © Jimmy DeMano
Lake Hope State Park © Eric Hoffman
Lake Hope State Park © Gene Shirk
Lake Hope State Park © Gene Shirk
Lake Hope State Park © Gene Shirk
Lake Hope State Park © Gene Shirk
Lake Hope State Park Moonville Tunnel © Victor F Artigas
Old abandoned rail tunnel near Lake Hope State Park region
Lake Hope State Park On Furnace Trail © Victor F Artigas
Lake Hope
Lake Hope State Park Lilies in the shoreline © Victor F Artigas
Lake Hope
Lake Hope State Park Lake Hope waterscape © Victor F Artigas
Lake Hope State Park © Tabitha Cullison
Behind the shelter house at Lake Hope there is a quaint spot for fishing that is acompanied by this beautiful scenery.
Lake Hope State Park © Gene Shirk
LAKE HOPE STATE PARK
LAKE HOPE STATE PARK
27331 OH-278
McArthur, Ohio   45651-8220
(lat:39.3282 lon:-82.3466)

Phone: (740) 596-4938
Reservations: 866-644-6727
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.
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.
Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
June 21 The Best State Park In Ohio Hands Down!! by Jason Muncie
Awesome cabins, lake, and scenery. My family spends a week there every July and keeps getting better. Plenty of things to do and attractions near by. Check out Splash Down Country Waterpark in nearby Wellston. The kids will love it as they love Lake Hope!
January 10 Heaven On Earth by Organs
We come here every year..every year it gets better and we cherish these memories as a family!
June 18 Paradise every summer! by K. MacDonald
Some of the most cherished family memories that will stay with me the rest of my life. Fishing, swimming and evening fireflies everywhere you look.
Private Area Campgrounds
Hocking Hills KOA Holiday
29150 Pattor Road
Logan, OH
740-385-4295
Lake Snowden Campground
5900 U.S. 50
Albany, OH
740-698-6373
Top O' the Caves
26780 Chapel Ridge Road
South Bloomingville, OH
740-385-6566
Area Accommodations
Hidden Cave Cabin - Rockbridge, OH
Cottages and Cabins
Hidden Cave Cabin is an authentic log cabin with 2 bedrooms in a private wooded setting. It is located on one of the most scenic drives in Hocking Hills and just 3.6 miles to Rock House and less than 10 miles to Conkle's Hollow and Old Man's Cave.
18.7 miles from park*
Cottages and Cabins
Trickle Creek offers luxury cabins in Hocking Hills. The cabins are situated on nearly 236 acres of secluded cabin rentals in the deep wooded ravines in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Hocking County, Ohio.
19.7 miles from park*
Conference Center
Hello I am the marketing coordinator for the Hocking Hills Lodge Conference Center. There is incorrect information on your website about our lodge, how would we go about changing that or providing
14 miles from park*
Cottages and Cabins
A lakeside retreat in the beautiful Hocking Hills on scenic Lake Logan. Full kitchen, Hot Tub, Satellite HD TV, sitting room, breakfast nook, and electric AC/Heat.
15.4 miles from park*
Reservations
Arrival Date
Number of Nights
Area Resources
Tourism
Offical Guide to Southeastern Ohio's Scenic Wonderland, the Hocking Hills. The 9 State Parks and State Forests. How to get there, things to do, interesting local merchants, what to see, places to stay. Reserve your cabin or campsite online
12 miles from park*
Directions
27331 State Route 278, McArthur, OH 45651
Ohio
25

LAKE HOPE STATE PARK

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