Tar Hollow State Park Campground / Campground in Ohio
"The fire is the main comfort of camp, whether in summer or winter." ~ Henry David Thoreau
Tar Hollow State Forest is Ohio’s third-largest forest. It consists of 16,446 acres. The Tar Hollow State Park borders the State Forest. The campground has recreational activities for everyone including, hiking, boating, fishing, swimming, birdwatching and horseback riding. It got its name from the tar that was collected from the pitch pine trees located throughout the area. The tar was an important commodity that was used in the manufacturing of balms and lubricants.
The Tar Hollow region was purchased in the 1930s for conservation purposes. During the Great Depression, the group camp and 15-acre pond were developed thanks to the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the National Youth Administration (NYA). In 1939, management of the land was transferred to the Ohio Division of Forestry. In 1949, the Division of Parks and Watercraft received land from several state agencies and Tar Hollow State Park was developed.
The Ohio Campground
65 electric sites
71 non-electric sites
3 Group Sites
12 Tent Only Sites
3 Large Cabins
2 Small Cabins (1 ADA)
5 Backpack Sites
Water (seasonal)
Picnic Tables
Fire Rings
Vault Latrines & Flush Toilets
Showers
Laundry Facilities
Dumpsters
Dump station
Seasonal General Store
Playground
Mini Golf
Bike Rentals
Nature Display
Game Room
Basket Ball Hoop
Amphitheater
Plenty of shade when trees have all their leaves.
NO Cell Phone Service
Ohio campground open year round.
Reservations may be made up to six months in advance online at ohiostateparks.gov or by calling (866) 644-6727.
***Due to many Covid shutdowns, some of the amenities may not be available. Call the office at (740) 887-4818 for additional information.***
RV/Camper/Tent Campsites
Campsites can be reserved on the ODNR website or by calling 866-644-6727. There are both electric and non-electric sites.
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Pit latrines and Flush toilets
Showers
Laundry facilities
Dump station
Pets are permitted
Sherman Cabins
There are 2 small cabins that are referred to as the Sherman Cabins. They can accommodate up to 4 people. 1 cabin is ADA compliant.
Bunk beds
Air conditioning
Microwave
Refrigerator
Grill
Fire ring
Picnic table
No linens, dishware or supplies provided
No pets allowed
No smoking
No housekeeping
Cedar Cabins
There are 3 large cabins that are referred to as the Cedar Cabins. They can accommodate 8 to 12 people.
Bunk beds
Air conditioning
Microwave
Refrigerator
Grill
Fire ring
Picnic table
No linens, dishware or supplies provided
No pets allowed
No smoking
No housekeeping
Primitive Camping
The primitive campground sites are located along the Logan Backpack Trail near the fire tower. They are first-come, first-serve. Campers must register and pay at the General Store or Tar Hollow State Park Office.
Pit latrines
Very small parking lot at the fire tower
Hike-in only
Picnic tables
Fire pits
Horseman’s Campground (Tar Hollow State Forest not the Tar Hollow State Campground)
If you are looking for a campground that you can take your horse, the Horseman’s Campground is located at the State Forest. It is very close to the State Campground. However, it is not part of the State Campground.
The Horseman’s Campground has 45-site primitive campground sites. The sites are only available for horse riders. All must register. Reserving sites is prohibited. The Bridle Trail Head is located at 2173 Park Road 8, Londonderry, OH 45647.
Pit Latrines
Water for horses
Horse tie
No electricity
No drinking water
Pets are permitted
You can find the pamphlet for Tar Hollow State Forest Bridle Trail HERE.
Hiking
The trails at Tar Hollow State Park are all natural and rugged.
Dulen Loop (2 Mile Loop)
Homestead Trail (2.1 Mile Loop)
Logan Trail (17.9 Mile Figure 8 Trail)
Ross Hollow Trail (3.5 Mile Loop)
Bridle Trails (33 miles in the Tar Hollow State Forest)
Boating
Electric motors only
Boat ramp located near beach
Paddleboats, rowboats and canoes are available to rent (call first to make sure they are open)
Fishing
15-acre lake (Pine Lake)
A valid Ohio fishing license is required
Birding
According to eBird, there have been 114 species observed at Tar Hollow State Park Campground. And 133 species at Tar Hollow State Forest. They are birding hotspots.
During our early April visit we spotted:
Our Experience at Tar Hollow State Park Campground
We enjoyed our visit to the Tar Hollow State Park Campground, other than having no cell service, TV or internet. We planned on working remotely, and to do so, we had to drive to Adelphi. If you are looking for a campground where you can completely disconnect, this one is great.
For the most part, the Ohio campground was quiet and serene. It rained our first night there. The next morning the small creek that ran behind our trailer was flowing nicely. It was relaxing sitting outside listening to the water flow and the birds sing.
There were quite a few campsites booked, and it was still chilly outside. This campground fills up quickly during the summer months.
The campground is broken up into different sections. This helps make it quieter since you do not have to listen to every single car that drives through the campground.
Additional Notes:
The trailer pads are both blacktop and natural.
The sites are fairly level.
The roads that wind through the campground are a decent width. However, it would be hard for two trailers to pass by each other.
Roads are blacktop.
Many parks we go to have visitors who let their dogs off their leashes. We only saw one person letting their dog run around freely. And we got to meet a lot of dogs.
The campground was well-kept. There was very little trash lying around.
Each campsite had a picnic table and fire ring.
We walked the Ross Hollow Trail and there wasn’t any seating along the path.
There are several shelter houses located throughout the park.
Plenty of shade when trees have all their leaves.
You cannot climb the fire tower. The bottom steps have been removed.
Tar Hollow State Park / Campground in Laurelville Ohio
Make a Reservation at:
What You Can Expect at Tar Hollow State Park Campground
Please note that Ohio Campground trail rules and regulations can change at any time. The following information was in effect for Tar Hollow State Park Campground as of April 2021.
Vault Latrines and flush toilets.
Bicycles are permitted on some of the trails and in the campground.
Is a birding hotspot per eBird.
Several foot bridges on paths.
Concealed carry is permitted.
Dogs are allowed in campground and on trails. They are not permitted in the cabins.
Trail surfaces are natural. The trails are steep in places. The trails are easy to mildly difficult.
Campground roads are blacktop. Pads are both blacktop and natural.
Each lot has a picnic table and fire ring.
Small playground is located near the General Store.
There were not any benches located on the trails.
A lot of shade.
Several shelter houses.
Trails are well marked with paint on the trees. In a few areas, trees have fallen, and it can be hard to locate the trail.
There are a few dumpsters located throughout the campground.
15 acre lake.
There are not ADA parking spots. There is one cabin that is ADA complaint.
