Featuring some awe-inspiring lake views, gorgeous canyons, and offering great RV camping opportunities, Burr Oak Lake is an excellent place for an RV getaway. Located in the Athens and Morgan counties, construction on Burr Oak Lake by the U.S Corps of Engineers originally started in the mid-1940s but was paused due to the events of World War II. Completed in February 1950, Burr Oak Lake was built for flood control purposes and had its name officially changed to Tom Jenkins Dam to honor the congressman who represented the people of the Ohio 10th district. Despite this, most people still refer to the lake by its original Burr Oak name.
At 664 acres, Burr Oak Lake is a great place for water-based recreational activities. If you want to go swimming, there is a large sandy beach that is great for cooling off at. The lake is also fantastic for those who want to do some boating, or throw out a fishing line and try to catch the big one. Outside of the lake, there are many more activities to keep you entertained thanks to Burr Oak State Park. The park encompasses close to 2000 acres and has 28 miles of trails, wonderful birding environments, and some early 20th-century historical ruins.
Burr Oak State Park is the place to stay if you are visiting Burr Oak Lake as 123 RV friendly campgrounds are open all year round. Out of the 123 sites, 17 have electric hookups so you can live in a little luxury during your visit. Burr Oak Lake is open all year round.
Getting to and from Burr Oak Lake is quite easy thanks to its location near the village of Glouster. The lake has several entry points that are serviced by local roads. The most common way to reach the lake is to take OH-13 and turn off at Burr Oak Road.
If you need to get any supplies before your trip there are many places you can stop and do so, such as Glouster (around five miles away), Trimble (around five and a half miles away), and Nelsonville (around 18 miles away). The closest city to Burr Oak Lake is Parkersburg, which is around 41 miles to the southeast in West Virginia.
All of the roads in and around the lake are very well maintained so you shouldn't have any issues driving your RV in this area. There are also no restrictions on RV or trailers so you can drive on any of the public roads near the lake. While the lake is open all year round, during the wintertime there is plenty of snowfall that could hinder your chance to enjoy the area. We recommend you call the park before you begin your travels to ensure the roads will be plowed.
There is plenty of parking around the lake, including 10 lots within the state park.
The RV friendly campground within Burr Oak State Park is easily the best camping option you will have if you want to stay as close to the lake as possible. This well-maintained campground attracts visitors from all walks of life who are looking to enjoy the great outdoors near Burr Oak Lake.
The campground has 123 campsites for you to choose from, 17 of which have the added bonus of electrical hookups. Some of the sites have lakeside views and fire pits for you to enjoy. Other amenities at the campground include water collection points, showers, and a dump station. Pets are also allowed and you should be able to get cell phone reception on all of the major networks.
Reservations are encouraged and can be made up to six months in advance. The campground at Burr Oak State Park is open all year round for you to enjoy.
Another option for those wanting to stay near the lake is to make use of one of two cabins that are available for rent throughout the year. The cabins can sleep a maximum of four people and come equipped with a fire ring and picnic table. One of the cabins also has a large deck that is great for entertaining your friends or family who may be joining you on the trip.
Both cabins can be reserved in advance and are available for you to enjoy all year round. For more information about the cabins, contact the state park office.
Love to hike? Is so, remember to pack your hiking boots before you begin your trip to Burr Oak Lake. 28 miles of trails are waiting for you to explore, and they vary in length and difficulty. Many of the trails are perfect if you want some lakeside hiking, including the Lakeview and Lake Shore Trail. These two feature the hardest difficulty and should only be attempted by hikers who can handle the moderate to difficult levels.
Burr Oak Lake is an excellent spot for fishing lovers looking to have some fun on their RV vacation. The lake has many areas to explore along the banks and out on the lake that offer perfect conditions to land the big one. The species found at Burr Oak Lake include crappie, saugeye, largemouth bass, catfish, and bluegill. The early springtime is most popular for fishing lovers, but there are great catches to be had all year round.
A great family-friendly activity to enjoy when visiting Burr Oak Lake is to play a round of disc golf. There is one 18 hole course available for you to use free of charge that is known for being quite hilly and heavily wooded. Featuring a mix of long and short length holes, the course is a little technical but can be enjoyed by all. There are no discs available to rent for the course, so remember to bring your own so you don't miss out on any of the fun.
There are no public transport options that will take you to Burr Oak Lake.
For those visiting Burr Oak Lake with a large group, you should consider group camping. There is one group site within the Burr Oak State Park Campground that has this option and is a popular choice with outdoor adventure groups and family reunions.
The group campsite has plenty of amenities to make your stay comfortable, including seven picnic tables, three fire rings, and toilets. You will also have easy access to the other amenities within the campground, such as the dump station and showers. There is also an equestrian group camping area that is open only to those wanting to camp with their horses.
If you would like to stay at the group campground, we recommend that you book well in advance to guarantee your stay. Reservations can be made all year long up to six months in advance.
If you are thinking about packing the picnic blanket for your visit to Burr Oak Lake, you should definitely do it. There are several great picnic areas for you to choose from that come equipped with picnic tables and grills, or if you have a large group, you can reserve a powered shelter house in advance. Another option for large groups is to use the first-come, first-served shelter that is operated by the U.S Corps of Engineers.
Getting out onto the water is one of the best ways to explore Burr Oak Lake further. If you plan on taking a watercraft out, please note that there is a ten horsepower limit that is in effect all year round. There are five boat launches available for you to use and multiple private dock areas that are available to rent if you want to keep your boat out on the water. If you need to rent a watercraft, you can do so at the lake during the summer months.
Going for a swim is one of the best ways to have some fun in the summer sunshine during your visit to Burr Oak Lake. There is a 500-foot sandy swimming beach located near the state park campground that is perfect to relax at and do some sunbathing. The beach is known for its calm waters and it has some great amenities close by, including a bathhouse, multiple changing booths, and a snack bar.
