Salt Fork State Park is a public recreation area located six miles (9.7 km) north of Lore City in Guernsey County, Ohio.[2] It is the largest state park in Ohio, encompassing 17,229 acres (6,972 ha) of land and 2,952 acres (1,195 ha) of water.[3] The grounds include the Kennedy Stone House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park is managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Watercraft.[4]

Salt Fork State Park
Hosack's Cave, a popular hiking destination in the park
Salt Fork State Park is located in Ohio
Salt Fork State Park
Salt Fork State Park
Location in Ohio
Salt Fork State Park is located in the United States
Salt Fork State Park
Salt Fork State Park
Salt Fork State Park (the United States)
LocationGuernsey County, Ohio, United States
Coordinates40°06′09″N 81°31′44″W / 40.1024990°N 81.5289498°W / 40.1024990; -81.5289498[1]
Area17,229 acres (6,972 ha) land; 2,952 acres (1,195 ha) water
Elevation797 ft (243 m)[1]
Established1960
Administered byOhio Department of Natural Resources
DesignationOhio state park
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

History

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Salt Fork was named for a mineral lick along the creek's course.[5] Plans to dam the creek for use as a water source began in 1956, then switched to planning for use as a recreational area in 1960. An earthen dam was completed in 1967, with the construction of recreational facilities initiated in 1968. Salt Fork Lodge opened in 1972[4]

Activities and amenities

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The park features an 18-hole golf course, 2,500-foot swimming beach, two marinas and seven boat launching ramps, fishing for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, walleye and muskellunge, hunting, picnicking facilities, trails for hiking, snowmobiling, and equestrian use, miniature golf, nature center, and an archery range.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Salt Fork Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ DeLorme. Ohio Atlas & Gazetteer. 7th ed. Yarmouth: DeLorme, 2004, pp. 61, 71. ISBN 0-89933-281-1.
  3. ^ "Salt Fork State Park". Ohio Department of Natural Resources. September 13, 2006. Archived from the original on January 6, 2007.
  4. ^ a b c "Salt Fork State Park". Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  5. ^ Sarchet, Cyrus Parkinson Beatty (1911). History of Guernsey County, Ohio, Volume 1. B.F. Bowen & Company. p. 29.
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