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State Parks: Salt Fork

14755 Cadiz Road
Lore City, Ohio 43755
(740) 439-3521 Park Office
(740) 432-7185 Golf Course
(740) 432-1508 Campground (seasonal)
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Location & description:

The landscape of rural Guernsey County appears as a patchwork of forested hills, open meadows and misty valleys threaded by numerous streams. At the heart of this region is Salt Fork State Park, encompassing the woodlands and fields flanking Salt Fork Reservoir. As Ohio's largest state park, Salt Fork boasts recreational facilities to suit nearly every taste.

Camping

The modern campground has 212 sites, all with electricity. Other features include heated shower houses, flush toilets, dump station, a separate beach, boat launching and docking facilities for campers. Eighteen sites are wheelchair accessible. In addition, a group camp and horsemen's camp are available. Pet camping is permitted on designated sites.

• Non-electric campsites - 0
• Campsites with lectric - 192
• Full service campsites - 20
• Wheelchair accessible - 18
• Group camp, capacity - 150
• Horsemen campsites - 20
• Rent-a-campsites - 3

Golfing

The 18-hole golf course includes a golf shop, snack bar, driving range and putting green. Tee times are recommended, and a pavilion is available by reservation for outings. Call (740) 432-7185 for tee times and reservations.

Fishing and Hunting

Sizable populations of largemouth bass, crappies, bluegills, walleyes and muskellunge are present. Fishing is particularly good in the many embayment areas, and along the artificial reef on the north branch of the lake. Hunting is permitted on designated areas. Check-in with park or wildlife officers 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.

Swimming

The 2,500-foot beach is one of the largest inland beaches in Ohio. The modern bathhouse provides showers, lockers, toilets and a snack bar.

Picnicking

There are several picnic areas with tables and grills in scenic locations around the lake. A shelter house is available on a first-come, first-served basis. A wheelchair accessible picnic area with hard surfaced paths and accessible latrines, parking and tables is located off Park Road 1.

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. In addition, 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

Hillside and lakeside locations offer fully furnished living and dining areas, kitchen equipped with cooking and eating utensils, bath with shower, and screened porch. Chalet cottages also feature gas log fireplaces and hot tubs. All cottages are available year-round

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• Two-bedroom vacation cottages - 37
• Chalet cottages - 17

Boating

Boats with unlimited horsepower are permitted on the lake. Combined speed/ski zones are marked by buoys. There are numerous 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.

Marinas

The two marinas include 469 rental docks, comfort stations, gasoline fuel stations, parking facilities, concession areas and a variety of rental boats.