Stone House Museum Hike & Hosak’s Cave: History, Trails, and Hidden Stories at Salt Fork

Excerpt: Join us on the Stone House Trail to explore the historic Kennedy Stone House Museum with its awesome docents, then wrap the day at Hosak’s Cave searching for traces of an old road and the seasonal waterfall. Trails, history, lake views—and a few “creepy doll” vibes upstairs. 😉

Trail Start: Stone House Loop

“Where are we?” Right here. We kicked off at the Stone House Trail—also signed as the Stone House Loop. It’s an out-and-back route of about 1.3 miles each way following the shoreline toward the house. The views never get old, especially on a calm day when Salt Fork Lake looks like glass.

• Distance: ~2.6 miles round trip
• Surface: Mixed dirt with some roots, mossy patches, and occasional slick rock
• Vibe: Lakeside, shady, great for photo stops (and for Grizzly to “say hi” to every tree)

Labor Day weekend felt surprisingly quiet—cooler temps, warm water—perfect hiking weather. Keep an ear out for woodpeckers; we found a trunk that looked like a buffet line for bugs.

First Look: The Kennedy Stone House

There it is—the Kennedy Stone House, newly revitalized compared to our earliest visit. We’ve got history here, from raising flags on summer holidays to swapping ghost stories under the pavilion.

• Era & Context: The house predates the modern park; the 1970s dam project created the lake and reshaped the valley.
• Renovations: Portions updated in the 2000s; storm damage (including a fallen pine) led to additional repairs.
• Volunteering: Friends of the Kennedy Stone House help maintain and interpret—ask about docent opportunities.

Meet the Docents

Inside, we met Janet and Linda, who walked us through a wall-sized map of Salt Fork State Park (Ohio’s largest) and a “remembrance board” featuring families whose land was acquired to create the park. Churches, towns, and some cemeteries were relocated; others, like McCleary (above water), remain accessible. Many reinterments went to Irish Ridge Cemetery on the north side of the park.

They showed period photos: the Stone House road before the lake, the creek and bridge below, and how the landscape transformed after the dam. We loved the question they posed: Did the finished lake match what the original engineers imagined?

Upstairs: Artifacts & Ambience

Up the stairs, the vibe turns delightfully atmospheric—birch “candle” lights, tools of the trade, wool textiles (yes, merino—unbelievably soft, and the sign said we could touch!). And then there’s the trunk—do not touch—tied to the Kennedy family’s story, including saplings once brought from Maine.

We joked about “1865 ceiling fans,” peered at a hulking hand plane, and discovered an entire wing of “creepy dolls” whose eyes seem to follow you. Some are faceless, which definitely dials up the museum mood. History’s not just dates—it’s textures, rooms, and that little chill when you step across creaky floorboards.

Docent Nuggets We Loved

• Park Scale: Nearly 17,000 acres of parkland and a lake approaching 3,000 acres.
• Creation: Three creeks were dammed in the late 1960s/early 1970s to form the reservoir; the park opened in the 1970s.
• Remembrance: Many families contributed photos and stories to preserve the area’s heritage.

Volunteering at the Stone House

You can volunteer at the house—docents keep history alive (and sometimes get to stay overnight during stints). Check current details on hours and requirements at the museum or park office.

Second Stop: Hosak’s Cave

We wrapped the day at Hosak’s Cave (sometimes stylized Hosack/Hosak). On the way in, you’ll pass the Orange Trail, a spot tied to local Bigfoot lore—our previous episode goes deeper on that. The cave itself is the showpiece most of the year; in spring, look for the seasonal waterfall—a drop of about 50 feet when flows cooperate.

• What we hunted for: Traces of the old road now beneath the lake.
• Waterfall behavior: Stronger in spring; in late summer/fall, the cave formation takes center stage.
• Trail note: Expect damp footing near the alcove; watch for slick sandstone.

Plan Your Visit

• Start: Stone House Trailhead (Stone House Loop)
• Distance: ~2.6 miles RT to the house (add time to tour the museum)
• Then: Drive to Hosak’s Cave trailhead for the alcove and seasonal falls
• Bring: Water, grippy shoes, a light for dim rooms, and curiosity
• Ask: Docents about the remembrance board, relocations, and upstairs artifacts

Watch the Episode

Photo & Alt-Text Suggestions

• Shoreline trail view — alt: “Shaded shoreline along the Stone House Trail at Salt Fork State Park.”
• Kennedy Stone House exterior — alt: “Front facade of the Kennedy Stone House Museum on a sunny day.”
• Docents by the map — alt: “Docents explaining the Salt Fork State Park remembrance board and map.”
• Upstairs trunk & artifacts — alt: “Historic trunk and period artifacts in the Kennedy Stone House.”
• Hosak’s Cave alcove — alt: “Sandstone overhang of Hosak’s Cave with seasonal waterfall area.”

Final Thoughts

We learned more than we expected—about the house, the families, and how the lake reshaped everything. Between shoreline views, upstairs oddities, and the hush of Hosak’s Cave, this part of Salt Fork really is a slice of Ohio history—and a perfect day hike.