Go to website http://www.buckeyetrail.org/shorthike06.html for this Trail


Buckeye Trail


Salt Fork State Park
Distance: 6 miles 
Hiking time: 3 hours 

Description: This circuit hike starts at the primitive camp ground at Salt Fork State Park. It takes you through 
meadowlands, mature forest and along beaver flooded roadside lands. The walking is moderately hard. There are some
 steep climbs to elevations from 820" to 1100". On high ridges, there are strikingly scenic views for many  miles. 

Directions: From I-77, take SR 22 for 8 miles. One mile past Salt Fork State Park main entrance, turn left on T-587 
(Parker Road). 

Parking & restrooms: Park in Primitive Camp Ground. If your visit is before the campground gate is open, park outside
 the gate and follow the blue blazes. There are open pit restrooms in the camp ground area. 

Salt Fork Creek was impounded in 1967 to create the 2,952 acre Salt Fork Lake. The area is administered by the Ohio
 Department of Natural Resource’s Division of Parks and Recreation and Division of Wildlife. The wild life area* 
where this hike is located has elevations of 790 to 1065 feet above sea level. The environment is 1/3 mature woods, 
1/3 grasslands and 1/3 is home to a variety of small trees and shrubs. Vehicles are not permitted on the park’s trails. 
  
Following the Blue Blazes (Point 50 on the Bowerston map), start the hike on the west edge of the campground. The 
trail will slope gently down on a service road to the creek and a marshy area. During wet times, the creek and wet
 lands must be contended with.  During dry times, the creek is easily traversed. 
 
Follow the trail through a short stretch of woods, into an open field. Follow the tree line on the right. At the top
 of the hill, follow trail to the right on forest service road. The service road and the Blue Blazes will be your guide
 for a pleasant walk up hill and down. Don’t forget to stop on the top for sensational views. 

After 1.5 miles, there will be a sharp turn to the right from the service road. Follow the Blue Blazes carefully 
from a meadow area into a mature forest.  There is a steep decent through the woods to bottomland and out to T-587 
(Point 49 on the Bowerston map). 

At T-587, go to the right past the practice range and follow T-587 back to the car.  This gravel road is little
 traveled and is quite shaded during the summer.  There are many interesting beaver creations to the west.  Of
 course, for the purest, who wants nothing to do with the road, turn around and go back the way you came. 

*Note:  This hike is in and near the Wildlife Hunting Area of the park and during hunting season, care must be 
taken.