Tar Hollow State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Tar Hollow State Park covers 604 acres in south-central Ohio, including the 15 acres that make up Pine Lake. Pioneers dubbed the area “Tar Hollow” because of its vast pine forests that yielded tar that they used for their buildings and tools. Unfortunately, the area was not agriculturally viable for any other crops, and once pine tar was no longer a necessary ingredient of life, the land lay unused. The federal government originally purchased the park as a reclamation effort during the 1930s, and Ohio took over management in 1939 and adapted the area for park use. The nearest community is Laurelville, OH, which is 10 miles north of the park, and the closest major urban area is Columbus, OH, which is 42 miles north of Laurelville. Cincinnati, OH, is 125 miles to the west.
Spring 29-75 F
Summer 57-84 F
Fall 32-75 F
Winter 22-47 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Tar Hollow State Park
Since Tar Hollow State Park is one of the most visited state parks in Ohio, its campground is often full. There are many other RV campgrounds in the area from which you can visit the park. Most find it comfortable to use an RV while camping in the area. If you do not own an RV, check out options on RVshare to find one to rent.
Tar Hollow State Park Campground
Tar Hollow State Park Campground offers 71 RV campsites with access to electricity. Ohio is reluctant to make high-tech renovations to the park, making for a certain level of primitive attraction. Fresh drinking water is available at centralized hand pumps. Pit latrines are separate from the showers and laundry facilities and the building that houses the office and camp store. The camping area is close to Pine Lake and its long sandy beach. A dump station is located close to the park entrance. Motorized vehicles are only allowed on the roads provided.
Water Hookup: No
Electric Hookup: 50 amp
Sewer Hookup: No
Wi-Fi Available: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Fee: $20-$27 per night
Office hours: 6:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sun Valley Campground
Sun Valley Campground sits 29 miles west of Tar Hollow State Park, just outside of Chillicothe, OH. The park offers 18 RV campsites with electric and water hookups, 14 of which include sewer access. Campsites at this park have spacious spots that are 20 feet by 90 feet in length. They are perfectly accommodating for even the largest RVs available. Visitors find additional facilities such as restrooms with flush toilets, showers, an on-site RV repair service, a game room, a fishing pond, and a playground. You can visit this park anytime during the year.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30 or 50 amp
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi Available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Fee: $38-$42 per night
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Forest Haven
Forest Haven is a peaceful campground located in Chillicothe, OH. It offers 60 RV campsites with electric and water hookups, and eight of the sites also have sewer hookups. Campsites can accommodate RVs up to 50 feet in length. Facilities include a game room, camp store, restrooms with flush toilets, showers, a laundry facility, and a swimming pool.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30 amp
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi Available: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Fee: $44-$58 per night
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from April 1 to November 1
What to Do at
Tar Hollow State Park
Inside Tar Hollow State Park
Boating, fishing, and hunting are just a few of the activities that draw people to Tar Hollow State Park. In addition to those sporting activities, the park offers two hiking trails: the five-mile Ross Hollow Hiking Trail and the 21-mile Logan Boy Scout Trail. Both routes begin near the campground and enter the forest where several species of animal can be seen like the five-lined skink, painted turtles, wild turkeys, and rarely, bobcats. Children and adults are welcome to swim in the bluegill-rich Pine Lake.
How to Get to
Tar Hollow State Park
Visitors to the park typically come from one of two urban centers: Columbus, OH, or Cincinnati, OH.
To approach Tar Hollow State Park from Columbus, Ohio, take United States Highway 23 South (US-23 S) through Circleville to Portsmouth. Take the exit onto United States Highway 22/Ohio Highway 56 (US-22/OH-56) to Laurelville. When you get off In Laurelville, you will be on Water Street. Continue to drive through Laurelville until you reach the turnoff for Ohio Highway 180 (OH 180). Take OH-180 until it merges onto State Route 327. Drive seven miles to Tar Hollow Road. Turn right onto the road, and travel 10 miles to the park.
To get to Tar Hollow from Cincinnati, Ohio, take United States Highway 50 East (US-50 E) to Chillicothe, OH. Pass through Chillicothe into Londonderry. Once you are in Londonderry, follow the park signs to Tar Hollow Road. Turn left onto Tar Hollow Road, and travel 10 miles to the park.
Entering Tar Hollow State Park
Tar Hollow State Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Tar Hollow State Park Entry fee : $0.0
You’ll make memories that last a lifetime when you take an RV adventure to Tar Hollow State Park. If you don’t have an RV of your own, rent one with RVshare! If you share your trip photos on social media, be sure to tag us, or send them to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tar Hollow State Park
Stop by in the summer to enjoy various water-based recreational activities like boating and fishing. The 15-acre Pine Lake is perfect for canoes, rowboats, and motorized watercraft. Anglers enjoy finding bluegill and various other panfish.
Tar Hollow State Park is in the southern half of Ohio, which is known for its humid subtropical climate. Plan for hot and humid summers with mild to cool winters. Thunderstorms are most common during the hot season.
Watch out for white-tailed deer, raccoons, gray squirrels, spotted salamanders, cardinals, and bullfrogs. Watersnakes, mourning doves, robins, foxes, and turkeys can also often be found in the area. Hunting is allowed with a valid Ohio hunting license.
Tar Hollow State Park has 71 modern camping spots with electrical hookups. The park's campground has a dump station, showers, and pit latrines. All of the sites are close to the lake.
Dogs are welcome at Tar Hollow State Park as long as they're up to date on rabies shots. Keep them on a leash not exceeding six feet at all times. Proof of their vaccination history may be requested.
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