Jackson Lake State Park

About Jackson Lake State Park

Although relatively small, Jackson Lake State Park has acres of the most scenic land in Ohio.

Located in the heart of the unpolished hills of southeast Ohio, it is a central point for excellent fishing, and its tranquil lake provides an ideal setting for a tranquil retreat.

These sandstone hills are part of the Appalachian Highlands, known for its high elevation and high vegetation. This area of Ohio is heavily forested, and nearly 70% of our state's forests are located in the highlands.

The park is home to a variety of animals, including white-tailed deer and wild turkeys, but there are no other residents. In the past, most of this land was barren and cut down to support the iron smelting industry that once flourished here. Today, the country has recovered and bears many of its original trees and grasses, as well as a number of other plants and animals.

The park's diverse habitat favours beautiful flowers in spring and autumn, including the spring beauty of violets, goldenrod and asters. Jackson Lake is located on the eastern edge of the Great Lakes National Park System and its rich cultural history spans many centuries. The rugged hills and mist-covered valleys provide the backdrop for scenic views of Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River Valley, as well as the state's largest freshwater lake, Lake Erie. The area is characterized by a combination of natural beauty, scenic beauty and an abundance of wildlife such as wolves, coyotes, bears, foxes, wolves and wolves.

Prehistoric Indians inhabited the vast wilderness north of the Ohio River for thousands of years, as evidenced by the numerous relics discovered in southern Ohio. These carvings, called petroglyphs, are symbolic representations of life for the Indians. The relics are the result of centuries of struggle for control over land, water and land resources. Leo's petals in the park are carefully preserved by the Ohio Historical Society.

Thousands of years later, the densely wooded upper Ohio Valley was populated by a new "Indian tribe," and then again by the Indians of southern Ohio.

The new immigrants to Ohio took advantage of the rich resources of the woodland, built farms and cities, and began to develop several industries. The Mingos, Delawares and Shawnees settled there, but the Indians were driven out when pioneer settlers moved westward into the wilderness.

In the fall of 1854, the hills of Jefferson Township awoke to a new industry that was to draw national attention to the Hanging Rock region of southeastern Ohio. Huge deposits of iron ore lay beneath the surface of the country, and the discovery of this precious material ushered in the development of a world-famous iron industry.

During the Civil War Jefferson's iron was used to make cannons and became crucial to the Union Army's operations. Jefferson iron furnaces were built to meet the needs of both the Army and Navy, as well as the U.S. Navy and Army Corps of Engineers.

For a short time Jefferson Iron became the standard of excellence in the region and around the world and is still used in many parts of the country.

The iron was sold to manufacturers under the trade name Anchor and used for the construction of iron warships and monitors. In the history books, ships disguised as iron are vividly recalled, such as the USS Jefferson of the US Navy, the USS New York and the US Army.

The rich iron ore deposits were found in the Hanging Rock region of southern Ohio, near Jackson Lake State Park. As the growing nation demonstrated the potential of what it could produce, large furnaces on the hills of southeastern Ohio were closed in 1884 in the wake of the Great Depression.

Today, visitors can explore the remains of the furnaces within the park's boundaries, and coal mining is very profitable in the Jackson Lake region. In 1888, more than 1.5 million tons of iron ore were mined here, and Jackson County is home to the world's largest coal mine, the Great Lakes Coal Company.

Before settlement, the Indians came here from long distances to extract salt, and there was a large salt mine in Salt Creek. It was considered so important that Congress provided a six-mile stretch for the state to use to secure the salt.

The lush forests and hilly land were cut down to hang the charcoal produced for the kilns. As the furnace began to melt, the forests became more and more rejuvenated and the area became a more attractive recreational area.

In 1938, Jackson Lake was taken over and operated as a state park by the previous Department of Natural Resources. Over the years, small campsites and a beach have been added and facilities improved. In the mid-1970s, a picnic area was added and in 1979 Jackson Park was inaugurated as the state's park. The area has been run by its predecessor, the Department of Natural Resources, since 1938.

A small campsite with 34 electric pitches has an open pitch on the beach and a small campsite with two electric pitches. Motorhomes and pets are allowed in designated areas, but not in the park itself.

Rent - A - Tipi spaces are available for reservations, contact the parking office for details or contact Jackson Lake State Park at (888) 662-5555.

A beautiful sandy beach offers relaxation for swimmers and sun worshippers and offers a launch pad for boat rentals. All boats on Jackson Lake have a 10 horsepower limit and all launch pads and boat rentals are available for $10 per day, $5 per hour or $20 per week.

Fishermen can enjoy a variety of fish species, such as perch, wallise, redfish, trout and whitefish. A valid Ohio fishing license is required and can only be fished on Jackson Lake, with a maximum of one per person per day per boat.

All three accommodations are available on a first come, first served basis and can be booked for $10 per person per day, with a maximum of four rooms per night.

The Buckeye Iron Furnace State Memorial preserves the great Ohio iron that was produced at that time and houses a picturesque collection of buildings dominated by the Buckeyes' Iron Furnaces. The buildings were reconstructed from the 19th century and preserved in their original form. Leo's Petroglyph State Memorial, located at the entrance to Jackson Lake State Park on the west side of the park, is a well-preserved rock engraving carved into sandstone by prehistoric Indians. Forty figures depict animals, people and other forms of life, each with its own history and history.

A picnic area and gift shop are located on the premises, as are the Buckeye Iron Furnace State Memorial and Ohio State Museum of Natural History.

The memorial is open from May to October, and information about opening hours is available by calling the Ohio Historical Society at 1-800-686-1529. The monument is located on the east side of the lake, east of Jackson Lake State Park. This lake area is home to a large number of native plants and animals, as well as a number of rare and rare plants. It is home to many rare plant species, including several native orchids, as well as several wild flower species.

The area is open during the day and public hunting and fishing is permitted from 9 am to 4 pm on weekends and from 10 am to 5 pm and from 7 pm to 9 pm on weekdays from May to October.