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Lake Hope
State Park |
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| Lake Hope State Park is embedded within Zaleski State Forest, in Vinton County. It has a network of hiking and mountain biking trails, as well as its namesake lake. The trail system here connects with the Zaleski Backpacking Trail. Lake Hope acquired its name from the Hope Furnace, an iron-smelting furnace that still partially stands near the head of the lake, and is viewable and readily accessible from OH-278. This park used to feature an historic lodge, but it burned down several years ago. The new one is now being rebuilt There are a number of rental cabins available, however, as well as camping. There is a swimming beach and a boat ramp.
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Lake Hope Trails: Bicycles Allowed
- Little Sandy Trail
- Length: 2.0 miles
- Sidewinder Trail
- Length: 2.5 miles
- Cabin Ridge Connector
- Length: 0.3 mile
- Copperhead Trail
- Length: 5.2 miles
- Wildcat Trail
- Length: 3.5 miles
- Bobcat Trail
- Length: 0.8 mile
- Yosemite Trail
- 1.1 miles
- Yosemite Falls Trail
- Length: 0.8 mile
- Habron Hollow Trail
- Length: 1.3 miles
- This older trail connects the Hope Furnace Trail with the end of the campground, with a junction with the Copperhead Trail near the campground end. The Bobcat Trail and the Red Oak Trail also intersect with it. This trail goes up a stream valley.
- Red Oak Trail
- Length: 0.3 mile
- Red Oak Trail is a short connector trail that connects the Habron Trail to the middle of the campground. This trail is partially on an old road grade.
- Hope Furnace Trail
- Length: 3.4 miles
- This is an older trail that loops around the north side of Lake Hope, from Hope Furnace to the swimming beach, with uphill connectors to Oak Point and Grouse Point. Habron Trail also connects with it.
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Lake Hope Trails: Bicycles NOT Allowed; Foot Traffic Only
- White Oak Trail
- 0.3 mile
- Buzzard Roost Trail
- 0.3 mile
- Peninsula Trail
- 2.7 miles
- Greenbriar Trail
- 0.3 mile
- Laurel Lodge Connector
- 0.15 mile
- Laurel Lodge Loop
- Olds Hollow Trail
- 0.7 mile
- Zaleski Backpacking Trail
- 28.5 miles
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To reach Lake Hope SP, take OH-56 west 13 miles from OH-682 into Vinton County, to OH-278. Turn left on OH-278 and the swimming beach turnoff is at 6.1 miles; the other three park entrances are sooner. This is a very scenic drive with some very sharp curves, and may also occasionally be closed due to flooding. An alternate route is to take US-50 west 19 miles from US-33, then turn right on OH-278 once in Vinton County and the swimming beach turnoff will be at 7.2 miles.
Total distance from downtown Athens: 21 miles to the swimming-beach turnoff.
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