Jefferson Lake State Park Campground

The Great Outdoors

A highlight of camping at Jefferson Lake State Park Campground is its access to the surrounding reserve, which was established in the late 1920s in the Yellow Creek Valley. It lies on land once inhabited by the famous Mingo chief, Logan, and played an important role in the area’s historical steel industry. Aside from its namesake dam, the park is renowned for its sandstone hills that form part of the Appalachian Highlands and are popular with hikers. Towering oaks, stately beeches, and maples dominate the forest, with a wealth of wildflowers igniting the understory during the spring months.Less than an hour's drive north of the Jefferson Lake State Park is Beaver Creek State Park, which encompasses 2,722 acres in Columbiana County. It includes remnants of the Sandy and Beaver Canal, as well as the historic Gaston’s Mill that was constructed in 1837 on Little Beaver Creek. It’s been restored to working condition and hums to life on demonstration days, with several pieces of vintage equipment also displayed. Begin your visit at the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center, where live animals and natural history dioramas are exhibited, then wander between the recreated log home, church, and schoolhouse of the Pioneer Village. The park is also a popular destination for hiking, boating, and fishing, as well as being accessible to hunters in several designated areas.A short hop across the border in Pennsylvania is Raccoon Creek State Park, which sprawls across 7,572 acres near Hookstown. It was established as a Recreational Demonstration Area during the Great Depression and still exhibits several Rustic-style buildings constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. You can try your luck at luring yellow perch, walleye, large and smallmouth bass in Raccoon Lake, or follow one of the hiking trails that lead through the oak-hickory forest, woodland meadows, and pine plantations. A 314-acre Wildflower Reserve is also found in the east of Raccoon Creek State Park, where more than 700 species of plants have been identified.

Exploring the City

Campsites at Jefferson Lake State Park Campground are just ten minutes' drive from Richmond, where you’ll find a country market for stocking up on grocery supplies. There’s also a gas station here if you need to fill up your RV rental and a pizzeria for campers wanting a meal out.Richmond campers are just a short hop from Historic Fort Steuben, which was erected in 1787 overlooking the Ohio River. It was built by Major John Hamtramck to defend against attack from Native Americans. It was named after Prussian army officer Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben. Learn about the everyday life of the soldiers who were stationed here as you tour the officer’s quarters, blacksmith’s shop, and hospital, with the fort located in the modern-day settlement of Steubenville.If you’re visiting during the festive season, don’t miss the Steubenville Nutcracker Village, which runs from the Tuesday before Thanksgiving through to Epiphany Sunday each year. Aside from its centerpiece collection of 150 life-size nutcracker statues and live music entertainment, the village also features a German-style Advent market where hot food and drinks, local handicrafts, and gifts can be purchased.The Jefferson Lake State Park Campground can also be used as a base for visiting Pittsburgh, which lies around an hour’s drive across the border in Pennsylvania. It’s packed with outstanding museums and architectural landmarks from the Gilded Age, with highlights including the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s huge collection of Jurassic dinosaurs. Also of note is the Andy Warhol Museum that honors this locally-born Pop Art icon and the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens within Schenley Park. Admire the Victorian architecture of its landmark conservatory while exploring the Orchid Room, the Japanese Courtyard Garden, and the Children’s Discovery Garden.Whether you want to get active in the reserves of eastern Ohio or get cultured in the museums of Pittsburgh, book an RV rental in Jefferson County and start planning your next vacation.