Jackson Lake was built in 1938, but the area where it sits today was important to the mining industry as far back as the 1850s and was the home of several Indian tribes for hundreds of years. The iron mined from the hills around the lake was used to make cannons during the Civil War, and the area's forests were severely cut to fuel rock furnaces. It was only after the decline of the mining industry that the forests regrew and the land became more important for recreation than for industry. In the decades after the lake was constructed, recreation facilities, including the beach and campground, were built by the agency that would later become the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Jackson Lake officially became a state park in 1979.
With 34 shady and secluded campsites, the campground at Jackson Lake State Park is small compared to those at other Ohio state parks. The campground is open to both tents and RVs, though a few walk-in campsites are set aside for tents only. Every site has a picnic table, campfire ring and 50-amp electrical hookup. Restrooms and drinking water are available along with a dump station and free Wi-Fi service at the camp office. Pets allowed in designated sites must be cleaned up after and kept on a leash.
Jackson Lake State Park is open year round, and camping is permitted in the winter as well as in the summer, though access cannot be guaranteed during severe winter weather. Amenities are limited during the colder months, and running water is typically not available after November. You can reserve a campsite at Jackson Lake State Park by phone or through the campground website. A few sites are non-reserveable, and unreserved campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground can fill up quickly during summer, so reservations are recommended.
There's no need to restrict yourself to your campsite when you visit Jackson Lake. The state park provides abundant recreational opportunities. You can swim at the public beach, rent a boat or launch your own at the park's launch ramp. Five picnic areas offer tables, charcoal grills and reserveable shelters overlooking the lake, and playgrounds, ball fields and horseshoe pits are available to all campers. Although Jackson Lake is shallow -- most of the lake is 6 feet deep or less -- the fishing can be excellent for largemouth bass, crappie and sunfish. A current Ohio fishing license is required to fish the lake, and boat motors are restricted to 10 horsepower or less.
