Salt Fork State Park RV & Campground Guide
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At a whopping 17,229 acres of land and 2,952 acres of water, Salt Fork State Park is the largest in Ohio’s register. And as its size suggests, it’s an endless treasure trove of opportunity for recreation and outdoor adventure. Along with drawing those looking to get out into the wilderness to explore by hiking, biking, or horseback riding, the park is also home to the Kennedy Stone House, which is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. It also offers an 18-hole golf course, 2,500-foot swimming beach, several marinas, a nature center, and an archery range.
Fisherfolk favor Salt Fork State Park for its abundant bass, crappie, bluegill, walleye, and muskellunge, and hunting is also permitted within the park’s boundaries. Of course, others enjoy the park simply by sitting back and kicking up their feet by the campfire; no matter your style, you’re sure to find some rest and relaxation within its generous borders.
Here’s what you need to know to enjoy your upcoming Salt Fork State Park venture to the fullest.
Spring 31-75 F
Summer 61-85 F
Fall 34-78 F
Winter 21-42 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Salt Fork State Park
With over 170 campsites offering 50-amp electric hookups, Salt Fork State Park is more generous and accommodating than most when it comes to public campgrounds. In fact, 40 of those sites come with water and sewer hookups as well, and 18 of them are wheelchair accessible.
Although Salt Fork State Park’s campground is relatively luxurious and eminently affordable, those sites do fill up fast -- which is why it’s important to have a Plan B RV park in your back pocket, especially if you’re visiting during a popular travel season. Fortunately, this section of Ohio is well-equipped with campgrounds and RV resorts; here are a few in the area to consider.
(Psst: tent camping is cool and all, but have you tried road tripping in a travel trailer or motorhome yet? You’ll get all the freedom and flexibility of the open road along with the privacy, comfort, and convenience of having your very own place to stay the entire time. And if you don’t already have a rig of our own, don’t sweat it; tons of amazing vacation vehicles are available on the peer-to-peer market at RVshare!)
Cool Breeze RV Park
Cool Breeze RV Park offers a full-service camping experience, with generous sites offering water, electric, and sewer hookups as well as a catch-and-release fishing pond, horseback riding and hiking trails. Monthly and weekly rates are available and affordable, and nightly prices start at about $35.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: n/a
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: catch-and-release fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails
Hillview Acres Campground
Hillview Acres Campground is located just south of Salt Fork State Park along Cadiz Road, offering both basic conveniences and an array of on-site amenities to keep you occupied even when you’re taking a break from the park proper. There’s a camp store, two fishing ponds, a network of nature trails, a full-service bathhouse and more -- and each 30-amp site is equipped with a fire ring and picnic table to make your experience even more relaxing.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes - up to 30 amps only
Sewer hookup: no but dump station is available
Wifi: n/a
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: campground store, firewood sales, fishing ponds, nature trails, full-service bathhouse
Rocky Fork Ranch Resort
Rocky Fork Ranch Resort prides itself on combining the comfort of modern-day amenities with the relaxation of a rustic camping experience, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the serenity of its more than 850 acres of wooded and rolling landscape. Along with full-hookup campsites and rentable cabins, you’ll also be able to enjoy a clubhouse, fitness center, adult lounge and game room, as well as the network of wooded footpaths and streams scattered throughout the property. There’s even an on-site rodeo!
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: n/a
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: campground store, clubhouse, fitness center, lounge and game room
What to Do at
Salt Fork State Park
Inside Salt Fork State Park
No matter what your fitness or interest level, there’s tons to see and do at Salt Fork State Park. Here are a few of the most popular adventure options.
Hiking, biking, and horseback riding are popular ways to explore the park’s vast landscape; 14 named trails make it easy to find and access the most scenic parts of the park. There are over 70 miles of bridle trail available, as well as a 19-mile trail that’s open for snowmobiling in the winter.
Boating is taken to a whole different level on the park’s 2,952-acre lake, which allows unlimited horsepower as well as sections marked out for speed-boating and waterskiing. The park offers two marinas with more than 460 rentable docks, which are outfitted with comfort stations, gasoline fueling stations, parking facilities, and concessions.
Hunting and fishing are permitted in the park’s waters and designated terrestrial areas. Valid Ohio licensure is required.
A golf course and archery range are available for visitors wishing to hone their hand-eye coordination while enjoying the sunshine.
The Kennedy Stone House dates back to 1873, when it was constructed by Irish native Benjamin Kennedy, who purchased the 80-acre segment of land it sits on from Solomon Sturgis, who’d received it as a land grant for his military service. Once constructed, the structure was lived in and homesteaded by the Kennedy family for more than a century; Benjamin’s great-great grandson, Don, only moved out in 1966.
Outside Salt Fork State Park
As enormous as it is, you could easily spend days or weeks exploring Salt Fork State Park without interruption -- but there’s plenty to see, do, buy, and eat outside its gates a well. Here are some other area attractions to add to your itinerary if you have time, or just need a quick non-trail-mix lunch break.
Restaurants
You can’t live on s’mores alone -- trust us, we’ve tried. Here are some spots to sample while you’re in the Salt Fork State Park area.
Theo’s Restaurant
Theo’s Restaurant is a steadfast local favorite serving up classic American fare, including hearty entrees and homemade pies for dessert. Best of all, it’s got a welcoming, casual atmosphere, so it’s perfect after a long day of adventuring, even if you’ve still got a little bit of dirt under your fingernails.
Type: American
Location: Cambridge Township, Ohio
Cazuela’s Mexican Cantina
Cazuela’s Mexican Cantina brings the spice to your adventure, offering up favorites like tacos and burritos as well as more creative choices like asada fries and avocado chimichangas. Be sure to bring your appetite -- and your thirst, too. This place is as well-known for its margaritas as its main courses!
Type: Mexican
Location: Cambridge Township, Ohio
Shopping
Walmart
Forget an important piece of camping equipment -- or need something to put on the grill for dinner? There’s a Walmart Supercenter located about fifteen minutes from the park in Cambridge, where you’ll be sure to find anything you’re looking for.
Location: Cambridge Township, Ohio
Sightseeing
The National Museum of Cambridge Glass
The National Museum of Cambridge Glass may only have been open since 2002, but it’s amassed an impressive array of artifacts and displays in that time. With more than 10,000 pieces of glassware made by the Cambridge Glass Company as well as an interpretive area demonstrating the process, including gathering, shaping, etching, and engraving, it’s a great way to spend a rainy day that keeps you from your outdoor adventures.
Location: Cambridge, Ohio
Guernsey County Courthouse
Still a working courthouse today, but it’s also a site worth stopping by as a tourist. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and its cornerstone dates all the way back to 1881.
Location: Cambridge, Ohio
How to Get to
Salt Fork State Park
Salt Fork State Park is located in the fork created by I-77 and U.S. Route 22, or along I-70 between Zanesville and Wheeling. You can reach the park by entering the following address into your GPS or navigational system:
Salt Fork State Park
14755 Cadiz road
Lore City, Ohio 43755
Entering Salt Fork State Park
Like all Ohio state parks, Salt Fork State Park is totally free to enter, though campground or dockage fees may apply if you take advantage of those services. Reservations can be made online at the State Parks Department website or by calling the reservation line directly at 1-866-644-6727, and given the popularity of the park, they’re highly recommended.
No matter which of Ohio’s beautiful state parks you adventure in this year, and whether or not you do that adventuring in an RVshare vehicle, we can’t wait to hear all about your trip! After all, RVshare headquarters are right here in the Buckeye State, so we’ll admit we have a bit of a soft spot. Tag us in your social media posts or send details to us directly at [email protected]. We’ll select certain photos and stories to share on our own social media channels or in our blog, and your adventures might just be featured!
Frequently Asked Questions About Salt Fork State Park
The climate of Salt Fork State Park is generally mild and humid. The average temperature in the park is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it can get quite cold in the winter, and temperatures sometimes dip below freezing.
The best time to visit Salt Fork State Park is spring or fall. The temperatures are more moderate during these seasons, and the scenery is beautiful. The park is also less crowded during these times of the year.
Yes, you must reserve a camping spot at Salt Fork State Park. The cost is $25 per night for Ohio residents and $35 per night for non-residents. There is also a $2 reservation fee.
Yes, pets are allowed at Salt Fork State Park. However, they must be leashed at all times and cannot be left unattended. Additionally, pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.
Salt Fork State Park is accessible for disabled visitors. There are handicap-accessible campsites, bathrooms, and parking areas. The park also has a half-mile paved trail that is accessible to wheelchair users.