Salt Fork State Park

Salt Fork State Park As Ohio's largest state park, Salt Fork boasts 20,181-acres of recreational facilities to suit nearl Can only use 1 card per site.
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This is the official page for Salt Fork State Park. Camping
- Campground has 212 sites with electricity
- Each site has a 50-amp electric hookup
- Some full-service campsites offer sewer and water hookups as well
- Reservations accepted up to 6 months in advance at 1-866-644-6727
- Heated shower houses, flush toilets, dump station, a separate beach, boat launching and docking facilities

for campers
- 4 sites are wheelchair accessible
- Group camp (organized groups only) and horseman's camp are available
- Pets are permitted on all campsites

A separate Campground for those looking for Non-electric
- 24 tent only, rustic sites in 5 different areas
- Fire ring provided for each site, picnic tables are communal
- Pit latrines and water fountains near each area
- Carry-in, Carry-out trash (dumpsters nearby)
- All regular camp facilities are available to primitive campers: shower houses, camp beach access, boat launch and docks and laundry facilities.

---Golden Buckeye discount available---
50% off Monday-Thursday nights, 10% off Friday and Saturday nights. Holder of card must occupy the site that is discounted. Holder of card must be present with their card to check-in for the site. Golfing
- 18-hole golf course
- Golf pro shop
- Snack bar
- Driving range
- Practice putting green
- Tee time reservations are recommended and can be made online, or by calling 740-432-7185
- Pavilion is available by reservation for outings

Lodge
- Salt Fork Lodge, scenically overlooking the lake, has 148 guest rooms.
- Lodge features include a dining room, coffee shop, snack bar, gift shop, lounge and lobby areas, indoor game area and meeting rooms accommodating up to 450 people.
- Lodge and cottage guests can enjoy indoor and outdoor swimming pools, sauna, the tennis, volleyball, basketball, and shuffleboard courts, 400-foot swimming beach, as well as boat launching and docking facilities

Cottages
- 37 two-bedroom vacation cottages in hillside and lakeside locations offer fully furnished living and dining areas, kitchen equipped with cooking and eating utensils, bath with shower, and screened porch.
- 17 chalet cottages also feature gas log fireplaces and hot tubs.
- All cottages are available year-round.
- Pets are permitted in select cottages, call 800-282-7275 for details

Fishing
- Sizable populations of large-mouth bass, crappies, bluegills, walleyes and muskellunge are present.
- Fishing is particularly good in the many embankment areas, and along the artificial reef on the north branch of the lake.
- An ODNR Division of Wildlife office is located near the main park entrance
Valid Ohio fishing license is required

Swimming
- 2,500-foot beach is one of the largest inland beaches in Ohio
- Nature center open at beach seasonally
-Miniature Golf
- Restrooms with flush toilets available, snack bar open seasonally, outdoor rinse-off showers available
-Concession and Miniature golf open Friday, Sat. Sun, Noon-7pm
- Check for water quality advisories

Trails
- 14 hiking trails
Valley Brook Loop Trail • 0.3 Miles • Moderate
Archery Trail • 1 Mile • Moderate
Shadbush Trail • 2 Miles • Moderate
Gunn's Glen Trail • 2 Miles • Moderate
Deer Run Trail • 1.5 Miles • Moderate
Overlook Trail • 0.1 Miles • Paved-Easy
Sunshine Brook Nature Trail • 0.7 Miles • Moderate
Forest Crest Nature Trail • 0.3 Miles • Paved-Easy
Beach Point Trail • 1 Mile • Moderate
Stone House Loop Trail • 1.8 Miles • Moderate
Morgans K**b Loop Trail • 0.8 Miles • Moderate
Pine Crest Loop Trail • 1 Mile • Moderate
Hosak's Cave Trail • 0.5 Miles • Moderate
- Snowmobile • 19 Miles • Moderate
- Bridle • Over 70 Miles over 5 trails• Moderate

Picnicking
Reserve Shelters online
- 9 picnic areas with tables and grills available in scenic locations around the lake
- Wheelchair accessible picnic area with hard surfaced paths and accessible latrines, parking and tables is located off Park Road 1
- 2 shelters can be reserved online or by calling 866-644-6727
Beach I • 24' x 32' open building • Paved site with 100+ parking spaces •20 amp electric with 12 outlets •8 picnic tables • Group grill • Near modern restroom water supply, beach, lake, nature center
Beach II • 24' x 32' open building • Paved site with 100+ parking spaces •20 amp electric with 12 outlets •8 picnic tables • Group grill • Near modern restroom water supply, beach, lake, nature center

Boating
- Boats with unlimited horsepower are permitted on the 2,952-acre lake
- Combined speed/ski zones are marked by buoys
- There are 10 boat launching ramps on the lake
- Boaters may camp on their boats in no-wake zones within fifty yards of shore
- Swimming from boats is permitted in designated areas only
-Boat registrations available at park administrative office

Marinas
- 2 marinas include 469 rental docks, comfort stations, gasoline fuel stations, parking facilities, concession areas and a variety of rental boats
-Salt Fork Marina concession/fuel sales open seasonally

Winter Recreation (conditions permitting)
- Sledding
- Cross country skiing
- Snowmobiling
- Ice skating
- Ice fishing
- Ice boating

Hunting
- Hunting is permitted on designated areas. Approximately 12,000 acres of the park are open to hunting.
- Check-in with the park staff for delineation of these areas
- Cottontail rabbit, gray and fox squirrels, deer, grouse, quail, woodchuck, raccoon, mink, muskrat, beaver, wild turkey and waterfowl are abundant
- An ODNR Division of Wildlife office is located near the main park entrance
- Valid Ohio hunting license is required

More To Do
- A miniature golf course is offered at the beach, near the park's nature center
- Basketball courts are located at the beach and near the park office
- Playgrounds are located in the campground and at the beach
- Kennedy Stone House offers a look back to 1837
- Nature center offers nature programs during the summer months

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The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Watercraft, has selected David Thompson to serve as the ...
08/31/2026

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Watercraft, has selected David Thompson to serve as the new Park Manager of Salt Fork State Park. He brings nearly 3 decades of state park experience to the post, having been an integral part of the Salt Fork team since 1997, beginning his career as a seasonal employee and progressing his way through the campground and maintenance operations. Most recently he served as the park’s Assistant Manager since 2017. His skills, knowledge and in-depth experience make him exceptionally well suited for this leadership role. A lifelong local resident, he is a 1995 graduate of Buckeye Trail High School and a 1999 graduate of Muskingum University. Adam Sikora, previous Park Manager at Salt Fork, was recently selected as the District Manager of all state parks in the East District of Ohio. Thompson began his role as Park Manager on August 24th, 2026.

08/29/2026

✨ Remember, Lights in the Sky — A Statewide Drone Show! ✨

On September 12 at 9 p.m., the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Great Ohio Lodges invite you to witness a one‑of‑a‑kind synchronized illuminated drone show happening at nine state park lodges across Ohio!

This special event honors America’s 250th anniversary and includes a tribute recognizing the 25th anniversary of 9/11. It’s an evening of reflection, gratitude, and unity—shared under the night sky.

Make a day of it! Each lodge will host activities leading up to the show (many of them free), plus you can explore the trails, lakes, wildlife, and recreation that make Ohio State Parks so unforgettable.

(Note: Bring your own chairs or blankets and arrive early as parking will be limited. For specific questions, please contact the lodge directly for the location you plan to attend as each lodge has their own events schedule and setup for the day.)

📅 Saturday, September 12
🕘 Drone show begins at 9 p.m.
📍 Nine lodge locations statewide

Details and locations: https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-ODNR/news/drone-shows-lodges-2026

Join us at one of the nine Great Ohio Lodges and be part of this extraordinary statewide moment. 🌟

Ohio, The Heart of it All
America 250-Ohio
Spectrum News 1 Ohio
The Columbus Dispatch

⚠️ Lake update for Saturday, August 29th, 2026 ⚠️Conditions have greatly improved.  The water level is about 1.8 feet ab...
08/29/2026

⚠️ Lake update for Saturday, August 29th, 2026 ⚠️
Conditions have greatly improved. The water level is about 1.8 feet above normal pool and still dropping; however, impacts to boating facilities are minimal at this level.
🟢 All boat ramps are accessible and can be safely used. Water is still up somewhat on the campground ramp, but it is useable.

Please help us congratulate Financial Associate Betty Keylor, who retires today with 25 years of service to the visitors...
08/28/2026

Please help us congratulate Financial Associate Betty Keylor, who retires today with 25 years of service to the visitors of Ohio State Parks. Betty began her career at the Salt Fork Campground Office in 2001 before joining the former Ohio Division of Watercraft. In 2016 Betty returned to Salt Fork following the merger of the Parks and Watercraft Divisions to serve in the park administration and watercraft registration office. Her knowledge and customer service skills are second to none and she will be sorely missed by her co-workers and visitors. Congratulations Betty and best wishes!

⚠️ Lake update for Tuesday, August 25th, 2026. ⚠️The lake level is elevated due to the recent heavy rain over the past c...
08/25/2026

⚠️ Lake update for Tuesday, August 25th, 2026. ⚠️
The lake level is elevated due to the recent heavy rain over the past couple of weeks. The water has been receding steadily but is still more than 2.5 feet above normal summer pool.
🟡 The ramps at Morning Glory, Cabins, and Sugartree Marina are reasonably accessible and useable. The Park Office ramp, both ramps are Salt Fork Marina and especially the campground ramp are flooded and difficult to use without wading in shallow water.
🟢 Beaches are open although water is high on the sand.
🟢 Seasonal dock holders are able to access all docks.
🟢 Salt Fork Lodge and Conference Center, cabins, golf course, and campground are OPEN and access is NOT affected. Roads in and around the park are open.
🔺 Please keep in mind, portions of boat ramps may still be submerged (such as the concrete pier) even if the ramp is usable.

Please join us and the Guernsey County District Public Library Youth Services staff at the Eco-Discovery Center Thursday...
08/19/2026

Please join us and the Guernsey County District Public Library Youth Services staff at the Eco-Discovery Center Thursday at 5PM for a family program about rain!

We had a great time over the weekend hosting the fourth annual Community Outreach Day, partnering the Ohio Department of...
08/10/2026

We had a great time over the weekend hosting the fourth annual Community Outreach Day, partnering the Ohio Department of Natural Resources with the Ohio State Highway Patrol! The event included a full day of family activities, as well as food and displays by first responders and veteran's organizations. The Cambridge City Band was also on hand for a fine performance. All proceeds and donations benefited domestic shelters throughout east central Ohio. Thanks to all who visited, donated, and to all of the organizations represented today.

🌿 August Adventures Await at Salt Fork State Park! 🌿Make the most of the last full month of summer by joining our Natura...
07/31/2026

🌿 August Adventures Await at Salt Fork State Park! 🌿

Make the most of the last full month of summer by joining our Naturalist for exciting outdoor programs all throughout August! Whether you're looking to hike, paddle, fish, discover wildlife, or even search for Sasquatch, there's something for everyone. Come explore, learn, and make unforgettable summer memories with us!

Congratulations to Guernsey County Ducks Unlimited on successfully hosting their first Greenwing Day Camp at the Salt Fo...
07/27/2026

Congratulations to Guernsey County Ducks Unlimited on successfully hosting their first Greenwing Day Camp at the Salt Fork Eco-Discovery Center. The kids enjoyed canoeing, archery, shooting BB guns, Natural Resources Officer K-9 training demonstration, learning different fish species, and axe throwing. We would like to thank the sponsors and all of the kids and adults for participating and having fun with promoting conservation. 🦆
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Ohio State Parks
Ohio Division of Wildlife

Join Guernsey County Ducks Unlimited for the first annual Youth Day Camp on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Salt Fork Ec...
07/13/2026

Join Guernsey County Ducks Unlimited for the first annual Youth Day Camp on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Salt Fork Eco Discovery Center!

This free, family-friendly event is a great chance for kids ages 6–17 to explore the outdoors, learn new skills, and connect with nature. Guernsey County Ducks Unlimited is partnering with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to bring hands-on activities, outdoor discovery, and plenty of fun to the day.

Register ahead of time at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKyqY26wNbMoX1lNi8c7rurD0zG1AYEdxKUMpoL_3c5npl0w/viewform

We hope to see you there! 🦆

Address

14755 Cadiz Road
Lore City, OH
43755

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