Salt Fork State Park, a hidden gem state park in Ohio you’ve never even heard of. It’s located in Cambridge, Ohio in Guernsey County. It is located three hours from Cincinnati, Ohio, an hour and a half from Columbus, Ohio, and two hours from Cleveland, Ohio. It’s the largest state park in Ohio boasting rolling hills and open meadows.
It is where the legend of Bigfoot is taken very seriously. There’s an annual Ohio bigfoot conference every year and many series’ have come to film on the property. My family makes sure to scout for bigfoot every year during our visit and do all of the squatch calls and knocking in order to awaken him from his slumber. Unfortunately, no luck yet.
My family adores Salt Fork. We’ve been going for nearly 10 years so I am practically a local at this point! From having a lakefront view, to a scenic route from the cabin to the pool, fishing for blue gill, hikes with huge boulders and tall pine trees, and more – visiting Salt Fork is truly a good time.
Here is my complete guide to everything to eat, see, and do and where to stay in Salt Fork State Park, the largest state park in Ohio.
On your way to Salt Fork, I HIGHLY recommend stopping at Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl located in Zanesville, Ohio about 45 minutes away from Salt Fork. They make their own ice cream in store and their quaint diner has been around since 1948. My family stops here nearly every Summer and I always get a caramel chocolate brownie malt. My fiance and I took a detour on our way back from Niagara Falls State Park and Lewiston, New York to stop here!
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WHERE TO STAY
Salt Fork offers cabins, lodging, and camping onsite. They offer three types of cabins for your stay- chalet, lakeside, and hillside. There’s plenty of amenities in each cabin including full kitchens, charcoal grill, fireplace, living room, 2 free parking spots, and a porch with a lake view. Bonus is hot tubs in the chalet cabins. Hillside cabins are more budget friendly whereas lakeside and chalet are more pricey but offer access to the lake. Cabins range in price from $267 to $381 a night. I personally like the lakeside cabins because you can have fish during the day, have a campfire at night during sunset, and enjoy the sunrise from your porch the next morning with a book in your hand.
Lodging is more wallet friendly as well, with prices as low as $257 a night. Amenities include a balcony or patio, free parking, and daily housekeeping service. This may be preferred if you want closer access to the indoor and outdoor pool, gift shop, and game room as well as the indoor dining and bar area.
Salt Fork’s large camping site offers sites for RVs and tents. They offer heated shower houses, flush toilets, and dump stations. Additionally, their camping store offers a variety of camping supplies and gift items. For more detailed camping information and to reserve a campsite, click here.
BEST HIKES
Pine Crest Loop Trail
This trail is directly next to Morgan’s Knob Trail and Morgan’s Knob Loop Trail. You can park for free and complete both. It will take around 30 minutes to complete and it is mostly shaded. This trail is very neat because it loops close to the lake so you can enjoy serene views during the hike. You will also view stunning rock formations along the way. This is one of my favorites because of all the rock boulders along the way to climb and enjoy even higher views.
Distance: 1 mile
Elevation: 137 ft.
Difficulty: Moderate
Restrooms: None
Morgan’s Knob Trail and Morgan’s Knob Loop Trail
This trail is right to Pine Crest Loop. It will take around 40 minutes to complete. The hike is nearly completely shaded. You will come upon huge green pine trees and when you enter you will be surrounded by an open flat land with pine needles and cones covering the ground. I recommend this trail because it has beautiful scenery and is not very difficult.
Distance: 1.4 mile
Elevation: 249 ft.
Difficulty: Moderate
Restrooms: None
Hosak’s Cave
Hosak’s cave is potentially dangerous and there is a risk so use caution. Hosak’s cave takes you along a dirt path and then a low to the ground bridge over a creek where you can stop at an overlook. You can continue on walking towards the gorgelike area to see the waterfall and explore under the cave to view the rock formations. There can be lots of overgrown brush which makes it difficult to explore beyond the overlook. Additionally, the path can be muddy or slick so be careful walking. When I was there, we witnessed another family’s young child fall into some cracks beneath logs. Luckily, he was able to quickly get out but in some areas it may not be as easy so please be vigilant. I do recommend it if you’re able to because it truly is a neat geological area and a great place for pictures under the Falls.
Distance: .1 mile
Elevation: 22 ft.
Difficulty: Moderate
Restrooms: None
Kennedy Stone House Loop Trail
Close to Hosak’s cave, another trail I recommend is the Kennedy Stone House trail. It will take around 40 minutes to complete. This trail takes you to the Kennedy Stone House built in 1837 (or to the street and parking lot if you start at the Stone House). The loop takes you along Salt Fork Lake through a densely wooded area. Another not too difficult fun hike that offers serene views.
Distance: 1.8 mile
Elevation: 137 ft.
Difficulty: Moderate
Restrooms: Yes, near the shelter at Kennedy Stone House
FUN THINGS TO DO
Explore inside the historic Kennedy Stone House museum to view what it would have looked like in 1840
Stop by Kenny’s Bakery in downtown Cambridge built in 1925 for everything from bagels and bread to cupcakes, donuts, and pastries
Rent a boat, feed the fish, or get ice cream at the Sugartree and Salt Fork marinas
Visit Marvie’s Park Market for ice cream
Relax at the indoor and outdoor pool at the lodge, or soak in the hot tub inside the indoor pool
Fish along Salt Fork Lake
Play games on the property, including golf, disc golf, shuffleboard, and pool
Thank you for reading. I hope you have enjoyed this guide and I have encouraged you to visit Salt Fork State Park!
Ella Explores 