Salt Fork Lodge Heliport

Primarily economic and operational reasons. The heliport was owned by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and managed by the lodge. It likely experienced very low usage, making the recurring costs of maintenance, liability insurance, and regulatory compliance unjustifiable. State agencies and their private partners often decommission non-essential, high-liability assets like a heliport as a cost-saving measure, especially if the amenity is not generating revenue or serving a critical, frequent need.

The site of the former heliport is now an unmarked, open lawn area on the grounds of the Salt Fork Lodge, located just south of the main building. Satellite imagery shows the area is maintained as part of the resort's general landscape, with no remaining markings, lighting, or infrastructure to indicate its past aviation use. The land is used as open recreational space for lodge guests.

The Salt Fork Lodge Heliport (08G) was a private-use facility established to serve the Salt Fork Lodge & Conference Center, a major resort in Ohio's largest state park. Its primary function was to provide a premium travel option for guests, such as VIPs, state officials, or corporate clients, arriving by private helicopter. It also functioned as a crucial designated landing zone for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and search-and-rescue helicopters, providing rapid access to a relatively remote area. The facility itself was modest, consisting of a 40x40 foot turf landing pad with no fuel or significant support services. Operations were conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and were on-demand.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Salt Fork Lodge Heliport. The official status with the FAA is 'decommissioned'. Given that it was closed due to low demand and operational costs, its reactivation is considered highly unlikely unless a significant change in the lodge's business model or a new, compelling public safety or commercial need for helicopter access arises.