By Mary Casey-Sturk
Salt Fork Park Lodge
Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains between Columbus, Ohio, and Wheeling, W.Va., is where you’ll find Salt Fork State Park Lodge.
Arriving here will put you instantly in “vacation mode,”—let the stresses of everyday life go, take a breath and look at the beautiful land around you. Explore the lake, the golf course, and the hiking trails. Sit and relax, bring a good book and an even better friend. Bring your family and the family dog. Above all else, bring your sense of adventure and embrace it!
Just entering the park seems like an adventure. The park is immense and the drive to the lodge from the entrance is seven miles long! Stop along the way and visit the marinas, the beach and the Nature Center or try your luck at the Gem Mine. Here you’ll find 22,000 acres of land and 3,000 acres of water at the popular Salt Fork Lake.
Boating is very popular here, so feel free to bring your own or rent a pontoon boat, personal watercraft, kayak or canoe. The Sugartree Marina offers up a wide variety of rental opportunities. Guests can also use their own watercraft at the Salt Fork Marina.
There are three known bald eagle nesting pairs and plenty of wildlife to view and enjoy. For a more intimate wildlife experience, visit the Nature Center where its mission is to introduce people to the animals in their own back yard. Ohio Department of Natural Resources Naturalist Cindy Coss reports, “Last year we had 6,000 visitors to the Nature Center and this year we are hoping for up to 10,000.” It’s no wonder this park is popular; every day boasts several opportunities to explore and learn including the Bigfoot Hike in the summer months. Bigfoot, you say? Word has it that he (or she) has been heard and seen near the primitive campground. Each year hundreds of curious gather at the park to investigate, including at the Annual Ohio Bigfoot Conference. The park has even been featured on TV’s Animal Planet and NBC’s Today Show.
Offering up an amazing array of activities and lodging choices, the lodge (built in the grand tradition of National Park lodges) is a relaxing retreat and features 148 rooms, each with a balcony and patio and all with appointments including luxury linens, eco-friendly toiletries, Wi-Fi, a small refrigerator, cable and coffee maker (in case the singing birds don’t wake you up). Several room types are available including a deluxe king room and bunkrooms. Perfect for couples or families, the lodge is a great jumping-off point to enjoy the park and the area.
If you need more room or privacy, there are a variety of cabins to choose from including lakeside and hillside cabins. Amenities at the cabins include a full kitchen, private hot tub on an enclosed porch, picnic table and gas fireplace. Check in advance for pet-friendly options.
Around the lodge you will find enough activities to keep you busy for a long weekend or more, including indoor and outdoor pools, indoor hot tub, tennis, fitness center, and more. Dining is taken up a notch with the choices at the rustically elegant Timbers Restaurant. With menu choices like Buffalo Chicken Sliders, Beef Tip and Forest Mushroom Pot Pie and a selection of burgers (including the California Dreaming Veggie Burger with avocado, tomato jam, Peppadew jack cheese, cucumber and baby greens on a sourdough bun), you won’t leave disappointed or hungry. Save a little room for the signature pretzel dessert. A kids menu is also available.
Elsewhere at the lodge, you’ll find the Wildlife Lounge, the Salt Fork Gift Shop (modeled after the Brady General Store that once stood near this site) and the opportunity to enjoy the large and lively game room, find out about the day’s program offerings or just relax and enjoy the views. saltforkstateparklodge.com
Cambridge
Guernsey County holds many treasures, Cambridge among them.
Cambridge, Ohio, is a charming town and about as heartland as it gets. And after a trip here, part of your heart will remain as well. Known as the home of the highly collectable Cambridge Glass (1902-1958), the National Museum of Cambridge Glass celebrates that tradition with an extensive collection and hands-on learning opportunities. Currently, Mosser Glass continues this tradition by producing beautiful pieces using traditional techniques. You can take a tour of the factory, which was featured on TV’s How It’s Made on the Discovery Channel.
The Dickens Victorian Village Welcome Center will carry you back in time with the opportunity to play dress up, learn a little history and have some tea. Open in the winter months, this is well worth a return trip during the holiday season. The nearby Guernsey County Courthouse lights up during the holidays with a musical light show that would even make Ebenezer Scrooge smile.
Elsewhere in this mid-1800s town you can visit the Hopalong Cassidy Museum, the Guernsey County History Museum and numerous independently owned shops and restaurants. The town also has a terrific Visitors & Convention Bureau and the locals will always point you in the right direction. Nearby attractions include the John and Annie Glenn Historic Site, The Living Word Outdoor Drama, Deerassic Park Education Center and The Great Guernsey Trail.
Where can you visit an African bison, Bactrian camel, African painted dog, giraffes and cheetahs? Well, take a walk (well, a ride really) at the Wilds. This nonprofit conservation center is located on nearly 10,000 acres of reclaimed mine land in rural southeastern Ohio.
In partnership with the Columbus Zoo, the Wilds is a fun lesson in conservation and wildlife preservation. Many endangered species are found here including the Sichuan takin (a vulnerable goat-antelope species from China) and breeding programs are in place to maintain their place on our planet.
Board a Safari Transport for approximately 2-plus-hours and knowledgeable guides will take you through hilly open-range animal areas—covering nine miles—as well as making stops at Lake Trail and the Carnivore Center. You can also enjoy a visit to the Wilds Gift Market and Overlook Cafe, or visit the Butterfly Habitat. Adventurous types can enjoy the Zipline Tour, stay at a luxury yurt (a nomadic-style structure made of canvas stretched over a wooden frame) at Nomad Ridge or plan in advance for a Sunset Safari every Friday and Saturday evenings through September (book in advance only, includes dinner). thewilds.org
To plan your Guernsey County Getaway, visit visitguernseycounty.com.
