Zaleski State Forest and Lake Hope State Park, Your Complete Visitor Guide

Tucked into the hills of southeastern Ohio, Lake Hope State Park and Zaleski State Forest form one of the region's largest contiguous public-lands complexes, covering nearly 30,000 acres of dense woodland, steep gorges, and narrow ridges. The 2,983-acre state park sits entirely within the surrounding forest, and together they offer something rare: a landscape where industrial history and wild nature occupy the same ground. Iron furnace ruins, an old cemetery, and the remnants of what was once a small community share the hillsides with bluegill, largemouth bass, mountain-bike singletrack, and a brick-lined tunnel that locals say is haunted.

As the Ohio Department of Natural Resources describes it, Lake Hope "offers a truly relaxing, yet rustic getaway from the high speed of modern life." That understatement has drawn visitors to Vinton County for generations.

A landscape shaped by iron and fire

The story of this land begins with destruction. In the mid-1800s, the Hope Furnace operated from 1854 to 1874 as part of the Hanging Rock Iron Region, which led the nation in iron production before richer ore deposits were developed in Minnesota. To fuel furnaces like Hope, crews clearcut much of Vinton County's forest to produce charcoal. The land was left stripped and depleted.

Concerned about accelerating deforestation, the Ohio Department of Forestry began buying land here in 1928. By 1934, Zaleski State Forest had grown to about 3,400 acres. The recovery accelerated when, on September 15, 1939, the U.S. Department of Agriculture transferred the park and nearby forest to the Ohio Department of Forestry. At that moment, Lake Hope Forest Park already had a 125-acre lake with a boathouse, a bathhouse, and a diving tower, along with two large picnic shelters, 12 miles of hiking trails, and 14 cabins. What began as cutover, exhausted land is now, at roughly 27,822 acres, Ohio's second-largest state forest.

The Hope Furnace itself still stands across Route 278 from the Day Hike Trailhead, a weathered monument to the industry that both built and briefly destroyed this corner of Vinton County.

Hiking: seven trails from a quarter-mile to 3.2 miles

Seven hiking trails traverse Lake Hope State Park, ranging from short walks to half-day outings. The trails meander along the scenic lake and through dense forest, passing near abandoned structures and relics of the industrial era.

• Habron Hollow Trail: 1.5 miles
• White Oak Trail: 0.25 mile
• Buzzard Cave Trail: 0.5 mile
• Greenbriar Trail: 0.5 mile
• Peninsula Trail: 3 miles
• Olds Hollow Trail: 1.5 miles
• Hope Furnace Trail: 3.2 miles

First-time visitors often start with the short Buzzard Cave Trail as an introduction before committing to the Peninsula Trail's three miles of lakeside and forest walking. The Hope Furnace Trail, at 3.2 miles, carries hikers closest to the furnace site and is the most historically immersive route in the park. A downloadable trail map is available through the Vinton County CVB at VisitVintonOhio.

The Zaleski backpack trail: up to 30 miles through three counties

For those ready to spend a night or several in the woods, the Zaleski State Forest Backpack Trail, recently renamed the Selinde Roosenburg Memorial Backpack Trail, is among the more demanding options in Ohio's state forest system. The main loop covers 23.5 miles, but route options extend from a 9.7-mile outing to just under 30 miles, and a 10-mile day loop provides a middle ground for visitors who want a full day on trail without carrying overnight gear.

The trail is rated moderately difficult. Sections are steep but elevation changes top out at around 300 feet. Orange blazes mark the main loops; white blazes mark the Connector Trail. The path is generally easy to follow, though some sections become overgrown.

Permits are self-issued at the trailhead and there is no fee to camp. Water is trucked in to cisterns near each camp area, but any water drawn from the streams that cross the trail should be treated or filtered: "consider the fact that there was historic mining in the area when deciding whether to drink from local natural sources," according to BackpackOhio's trail guide.

The Hope Schoolhouse Trailhead sits at N39° 18.952′ W82° 21.099′. From Nelsonville, take State Route 278 south for 14 miles. Across from the Lake Hope Dam, turn left on Wheelabout Road, then right in 0.2 miles to stay on Wheelabout. The Hope Schoolhouse is on the left. Paved parking and latrines are available at the trailhead. For current conditions, contact the Zaleski State Forest Office at (877) 247-8733 or Lake Hope State Park at (740) 596-4938.

Mountain biking: a nationally recognized singletrack

Cyclists have been coming to Lake Hope and Zaleski specifically for the trails. The area's 23-mile singletrack bike trail was chosen as one of Ohio's top mountain biking trails by readers of Mountain Bike Magazine. Named trails include the Bobcat and Wildcat routes for riders building familiarity with the wooded terrain, and the Copperhead Trail, which at over seven miles provides the most immersive biking experience in the park. In total, the park offers eight biking trails.

The Moonville Rail Trail: 16 miles of history and wetland

The 16-mile Moonville Rail Trail is a different kind of experience. The former railroad corridor passes through the woodlands of Zaleski State Forest, the communities of Zaleski and Mineral, and the Lake Hope State Park wetland areas. As the trail description puts it: "The corridor holds water on both sides of the trail, creating a wetland area that is home to numerous species of flora and fauna."

Two tunnels along the corridor have their own stories. King's Hollow Tunnel, also called King Switch Tunnel, is a 120-foot structure carved through rock and lined with a series of 12-by-12 wooden beams. The Moonville Tunnel is brick-lined and, owing to a long history of train accidents, has earned a reputation for being haunted.

Visitors should know the Moonville Rail Trail is still a work in progress. The surface is rugged with steep inclines, and some bridges remain missing, requiring hikers and cyclists to find alternate routes around gaps. The portion from Zaleski through the Lake Hope wetlands is best suited for hiking rather than biking.

On the water: boating, fishing, and swimming

The 120-acre lake at the center of Lake Hope State Park anchors the park's water-based recreation. Canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats are available for rent at the lake's boathouse. Anglers find bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, and catfish. Hunting is permitted within Zaleski State Forest.

The swimming area features a 600-foot beach with changing rooms, restrooms, and a concession stand, making it a practical destination for families on warm-weather weekends.

Staying and eating: cottages, campsites, and pit barbeque

Lake Hope offers a broad range of overnight options. The park has 66 cottages and more than 180 camping sites, along with year-round cabins including the Laurel Lodge, described by ODNR as a roomy option for families and group gatherings. Backpackers using the Selinde Roosenburg Memorial Backpack Trail camp at no charge with a self-issued permit.

For dining, the Lake Hope Lodge is the go-to: a popular destination specializing in traditional pit barbeque featuring locally harvested meats and produce. Nine picnic areas with tables and grills are scattered throughout the park, and one reservable shelter house is available through the ODNR Division of State Parks.

A nature center rounds out the on-site amenities, and the Vinton County CVB offers a free visitors guide covering the county's parks and attractions.

Coming up at Lake Hope

Two events are scheduled at the park this week. On March 12, a Homeschoolers: Fur and Feathers program runs at Lake Hope, and on March 13, the Natural Superstitions program takes place there as well. Check the full events calendar at VisitVintonOhio for current scheduling and additional programming throughout the year.

For maps, brochures, current trail conditions, and reservation details, contact the Zaleski State Forest Office at (877) 247-8733 or Lake Hope State Park at (740) 596-4938, or visit the ODNR at ohiodnr.gov.