Facilities and Activities:
| General | Land, acres | 604 | | | Water, acres | 15 | | | Nearby State Forest, acres | 16046 | | | Nearby Wildlife Area, acres | 1361 | | Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Hunting | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | 24 | | | Backpack Trail, miles | 21 | | | Picnicking | yes | | | Picnic Shelters, # | 8 | | | Swimming Beach, feet | 500 | | | Mountain Bike Trails, miles | 2.5 | | | Bridle Trails, miles | 25 | | | Nature Center | yes | | Boating | Boating Limits | 4 | | Camping | Primative, # | 23 | | | Electric Sites, # | 71 | | | Pets Permitted | yes | | | Dumpstation | yes | | | Showers | yes | | | Group Camp, capacity | 100 | | | Walk-In Campsites, # | 17 |
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Tar Hollow State Park
Nearby Parks:
Tar Hollow State Forest
Ross County Lake State Wildlife Area
Great Seal State Park
Tarlton State Park
Scioto River Canal Lands Access State Wildlife Area
Story Mound State Memorial
Adena State Memorial
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
Scioto Trail State Forest
Hocking Hills State Park
Leo Petroglyph State Memorial
Scioto Trail State Park
Hocking State Forest
Richland Furnace State Forest
Logan Elm State Memorial
Lake Alma State Reserve
Lake Logan State Park
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Tar Hollow State Park
16396 Tar Hollow Road
Laurelville, Ohio 43135
Phone: 740-887-4818
Reservations: 866-644-6727
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Area Accommodations
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Reservations: |
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Reservations: 
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| State Park Overview: |
| Twisting park and forest roads pass through deep ravines and dense woodlands. Scattered shortleaf and pitch pines growing on the ridges were once a source of pine tar for early settlers, hence the name Tar Hollow. Dogwoods, redbuds and a variety of wildflowers color the hillsides in the springtime. Fall's pageant of color is spectacular. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| At one time, Ohio was covered by a warm, shallow sea. As land rose to the east, sand and gravel were washed westward into Ohio's waters. Southeastern Ohio's sandstone was formed from this sediment. These sandstone hills are covered with a rich, diverse forest. Oak and hickory prefer the dry ridge tops of the area, while sycamore, black willow, buckeye and silver maple line the stream valleys. The forest not only supports a variety of hardwoods but also contains a vast array of ferns, mosses, mushrooms and wildflowers. Bloodroot, wild geranium, cardinal flower and Solomon's seal are typical wildflowers found in the forest.
Surrounded by the rugged foothills of the Appalachian Plateau, Tar Hollow State Park and surrounding state forest are characteristic of the wilderness that blanketed Ohio in the days of early settlers. It is a stronghold for many exciting species of wildlife. Numerous reptiles and amphibians, colorful game birds, songbirds and secretive mammals can be found here. The timber rattlesnake, dwindling in Ohio due to deforestation, holds on in Tar Hollow's forest. The five-lined skink, distinguished by its brilliant blue tail, is found in the area along with the elusive fence lizard. Painted turtles can be seen along the shores of Pine Lake while the lumbering box turtle inhabits the dry land. Salamanders such as the red-backed, dusky, long-tailed and northern two-lined thrive on the cool, moist forest floor. In spring, the wooded hollows echo with the gobbling of wild turkey and the drumming of the ruffed grouse. Rare sightings of bobcat have been reported in this unique, wild region. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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Heaven On Earth
Omg this park is BEAUTIFUL!!!! i absolutely love this place! it is def my fav place to be the beach is perfect and the ppl are friendly i go there every chance i get i absolutely love this place!!!
Written by 13BlackRoses
4-May-2008
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(name not given)
5-Jul-2008
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the kids love the park
our family went there for a pincic and to swim we spent seven hrs there and then we went and climbed the fire tower it was great the view from there is awsome
Written by the raisanen family
18-Jul-2008
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Written by Bill and Kelly
6-Oct-2008
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We Love this Park!!!
What a great place with so much to do. Park staff is allways helpfull and friendly. The Naturalist Amy is good with the kids and really keeps them involved. This is our favorite State Park.
Written by Terry Family
22-Jun-2009
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| Camping: |
| The campground is set in a wooded hollow near the lake. Twenty-eight electric sites and sixty non-electric sites, both sunny and shaded are available. The campground is equipped with showers, pit latrines and a dump station. Pet camping is permitted on all sites. A group camp area is available for organized groups on a reservation basis. Camping is permitted at five shelters. |
| Trails: |
| Ross Hollow Hiking Trail, located near the camp, provides foot access to the hills of Tar Hollow. The 21-mile Logan Boy Scout Trail (red blazes) traverses the park and forest. A section of Ohio's Buckeye Trail (blue blazes) also passes through the area. Bridle trails and a horse camp are located on the forest land. A backpack camp is located at the fire tower. |
| Picnicking: |
| Picnicking is a popular pastime at Tar Hollow. The picnic areas offer excellent scenery and a peaceful setting. Six shelterhouses can be reserved through the park office, while the others are available on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| Boating: |
| Boating with electric motors only is permitted on the 15-acre Pine Lake. The lake is perfect for canoes and rowboats. A launch ramp is located near the beach. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Bluegill and other panfish provide good sport for the fisherman on Pine Lake. Excellent hunting opportunities exist for squirrel, deer, grouse and turkey in the adjacent state forest. A valid Ohio hunting and fishing license is required. |
| History of the Area: |
| This region was wilderness to early man. Indians and settlers both found the land, especially in the valleys, to be rich and fertile. Many different Indian tribes contributed to its history. From about 200 B.C. to 500 A.D., the Hopewell inhabited the area. This culture left burial mounds that can still be seen. Later both the Shawnee and Mingo claimed the area as hunting grounds.
In 1796, Nathaniel Massie platted a town on the Scioto River just north of the mouth of Paint Creek which he named Chillicothe. One hundred of the first lots were offered free to the first settlers. Farm lots in the area were sold for one or two dollars an acre, in 100- to 200-acre tracts. The area attracted many Kentuckians and Virginians. In 1803, Chillicothe became the state capital.
For a time, the ridges to the east of Chillicothe remained wilderness because the hills were too steep to farm. But as the pressure for land and lumber increased, the hills of Tar Hollow were gradually cleared and inhabited by marginal farms. Life was difficult and settlers took advantage of every resource available. The region derives its name from pine tar, an essential commodity in early Ohio households. It was taken from the knots and heartwood of the native Pitch Pine tree to be used in the home manufacture of balms, animal liniments, and lubricants for pioneer wagons and equipment.
In the 1930s, the Tar Hollow region was purchased for conservation purposes under a New Deal program, the Ross-Hocking Land Utilization Project. People were given a new financial start in life and were encouraged to move to the cities. Most, however, bought more poor ground outside the park and continued to live as they always had.
During the Depression years, recreation facilities including the 15-acre Pine Lake and group camp were built by the WPA and NYA programs. In 1939, the Ohio Division of Forestry accepted operational control of the land which was then known as Tar Hollow Forest-Park.
When the Ohio Department of Natural Resources was created in 1949, the Division of Parks and Recreation accepted land of several state agencies including the old Division of Forestry. Tar Hollow State Park was developed from the earlier forest. The park, today, is bordered by Tar Hollow State Forest -- Ohio's third largest state forest.
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| Area Accommodations |
| Cottages and Cabins | |  | Tranquil Retreat Cabins - South Bloomingville, OH
Let nature entertain you! Whether you are sitting in the Hot Tub, OR relaxing on one of our log beds, OR just listening to the rippling stream, Or exploring the small cave on the property, NATURE SURROUNDS YOU!
Web Site: http://www.tranquilretreatcabins.com |
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| | B&Bs / Inns | |  | A Georgian Manner Bed and Breakfast - Logan, OH
Overlooking Lake Logan in the heart of the Hocking Hills. We are the perfect location for romantic getaways, honeymoons, anniversaries, Ohio elopements and weddings. The Ohio Honeymoon Suite with 2-person heart shaped jacuzzi is the favorite choice.
Web Site: http://www.georgianmanner.com/ |
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| | Cottages and Cabins | | | |  | Hocking Hills Dreamscape Hideaway - Logan, OH
This is not your typical cabin in the woods and you ain?t gonna be roughing it. It?s a log home lovingly furnished to make you feel spoiled. From the moment you enter, you?ll realize that you?ve found your dreamscape. Beautiful, tranquil music playing the background (feel free to take the CD home with you), luxurious amenities all around you, a soothing, private hot tub overlooking the forest and a bottle of champagne chilling next to the flick-of-a-switch gas fireplace. Oh yes, you have arrived! And we promise you?ll wish you never had to leave.
Web Site: http://www.dreamscapehideaway.com/ |
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| |  | Mesa Vista Lodge - Union Furnace, OH
Mesa Vista Lodge offers 4200 sq. ft. of luxury living with 8 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2 gas log fireplaces, massive kitchen/dining/great room with cathedral ceiling, 8-10 person hot tub and 2400 sq. ft. of covered walk-around porch.
Web Site: http://www.mesavista-lodge.com |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Area Attractions: |
| Tar Hollow State Forest is managed to provide timber, wildlife habitat, forestry research and demonstrations of good forest management. During the spring and fall forest fire seasons, the prevention, detection and suppression of wildfires within the protection area becomes a major objective. Nearby state parks include Great Seal (just north of Chillicothe), Scioto Trails (south of Chillicothe) and Hocking Hills (near Logan). These areas provide a variety of recreational opportunities. Conkles Hollow, a state nature preserve, is found within the Hocking Hills' region. Ross Lake, a wildlife area operated by the ODNR Division of Wildlife, offers good fishing opportunities.
Mound City Group National Monument, three miles north of Chillicothe, includes 23 prehistoric Indian burial mounds, a museum and a visitor center. Adena, the beautiful hilltop estate where Ohio's sixth governor, Thomas Worthington, once entertained noted guests is now operated by the Ohio Historical Society. The mansion, outbuildings and grounds are restored to appear as they did in the early 1800s.
Tecumseh, an outdoor historical drama, is presented during the summer in the Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheater just north of Chillicothe. The drama depicts the life of the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh. Ross County Historical Society in Chillicothe highlights the region's history. The Capital Room records Chillicothe's early years as Ohio's first capital. |
| Area Campgrounds | | | | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Bait & Tackle
381 N High St
Chillicothe, OH
(740) 774-1985
| D & K Bait & Tackle Dealers
288 W Hydell Rd
Chillicothe, OH
(740) 772-1836
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| Directions: |
| 16396 Tar Hollow Road, Laurelville, Ohio 43135 |
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