Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area, Oak Hill Campground, and Trails

The dam that formed Lake Vesuvius was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corp on land that had been striped of iron ore, limestone, and lumber to fuel the iron furnaces located in what is now Wayne National Forest. The furnaces operated from 1833 until the early 1900s. One furnace was saved and is located near the lake. 

Two accessible trails are also located near the lake - Vesuvius Boardwalk, and  Rock House Trail. The boardwalk trail is 1/3 mile and follows the shoreline to the dam. After crossing the dam the trail continues as a set of stairs that lead down to a picnic area and the furnace. The Rock House Trail is accessible to a huge overhanging rock. The trail continues with steep sections and steps and is not accessible. The Rock House formation is amazing!

There are three campgrounds in the forest surrounding the lakes - Pine Knob Loop, Oak Hill, and Iron Ridge. Pine Knob Loop and Oak Hill are managed as one because they are just a short distance apart. We stayed at Oak Hill in site 8 which is very long pull through. Normally we would not has camped in such a long site but many of the other sites in Oak Hill are sloped and this one gave us the best chance of getting level. The sites in Pine Knob are mostly level. Amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, showers, electric and water hookups, and a dump station. All of the sites are designated as accessible which doesn't mean much. All the parking pads are paved but few of the tables have an extended top and the fire rings are low.

Parking for the furnace is across Route 29 at the picnic area. There isn't an accessible path to the furnace but it can be viewed from the parking lot. The two trails can be accessed from the boat dock parking lot which is large enough for any RV. Campground  38.61427, -82.63381

Highlands Museum & Discovery Center

 The museum exhibits cover various bits of local history with very little to tie them together. Two of the largest exhibits are about country music and performing stars; and the role that Ashland, Kentucky played in WWII.

There's also a large, new kid's area that takes up the entire second floor. 

                   Calming room for kids who get too wound up.

During our visit the main entrance wasn't open due to street construction so we had to use a rear entrance. This involved several elevators and passing through areas not normally used. 

Parking is on the street which may be limited at times. Museum  38.47825, -82.63909

 

Morehead Railroad & Historical Museum*

 Housed in the 1881 freight station, built by the Elizabethtown, Lexington, and Big Sandy Railroad, the museum has a small train layout  plus many donated items that serve to tell snippets of the area history. The exhibit that I found most bizarre was on the Rowan County War which took place between 1884 and 1887. The feud started over a political rivalry between the Martin and Tolliver clans & their supporters. It ended in a shoot out on First Street (across the street from the station) which lasted for three hours, involved 60 men, and killed three of them. A final reconciliation occurred after the wedding of two members from opposing families. 

The museum is on two levels. The first level has the trail layout and other train artifacts. It's accessible through the normal entrance. The second level must be entered by going up the ramp to the freight door. 

The parking lot is large enough for any RV. Museum  38.18158, -83.43331