Tar Hollow State Park Campground

After being cooped up, we (3 young adults) decided to get out and decided on this campground that was new to all of us. The campground was very low key and made for an easy going weekend! We weren’t too keen on most of the parks amenities, but enjoyed just sitting around the fire the whole time. 
Pros:
-staff was cleaning common areas (bathroom and showers) either once or twice a day
-campsite 12 was incredible space and had an added bonus of a deck structure over the creek

Other notes:
-WiFi available, but only right by the main office/general store
-no service for AT&amp;T or Verizon
-Fire tower not accessible
-Lake tested high for a bacteria and swimming is not recommended

Corona Virus Notes:
-only Ice and Firewood available for purchase at General Store
-putt putt, boat and bike rentals, and game box rentals not available
-nearby Hocking Hills trails were closed


Memorial Weekend 2020

Ok, I'll admit I only picked Tar Hollow because I couldn't get into Hocking Hills. BUT, I am so glad we went here! The camp sites were clean, spacious enough, and easy to get to. The park itself is definitely a HIKING and/or HORSEBACK Riding park. The lake is small but offers some clean and fun swimming spots.

I highly recommend hiking the Logan trail to the fire tower.

Tar Hollow? You've Probably Never Heard of It

This was such a great place to book a group site. The shelter was perfect for group lunch/dinner area and a nice place to put gear that we didn't want to get wet. The site is far away from other campers and so peaceful. There was 2 outhouses close enough to walk but not so close you could smell them. The campground has a nice clean lake, nature room, bike rentals, paddle boat rentals, putt putt golf course and a movie stand. Great place to stay.

Group Camping

Tar Hollow State Park sits adjacent to the State Forest, in a similar setup to Scioto Trail and Lake Hope. It is pretty remote (no cell phone coverage at even the top of the hills), and really is a chance to 'get away' from the modern life. All sorts of camping is covered: RVing, trailer camping, and tent camping at electric sites, and primitive tent camping at several locations. Most of the camping is down in the valley, upstream from the lake. There is a camping area (and large paved lot) just below the dam (during this trip we saw a Boy Scout Troop with a school bus parked down there, so for those looking a for a group camping experience with a heavy vehicle that's an area to consider). This lower dam lot sits on the access trail to the main Logan Trail loop (for those wanting some serious distance hiking).

When we go, we tent camp with no electricity, so this review will focus on that style. The primitive camping is at the North Ridge campsite at the top of the hill to the north of the lake. There is a single gravel parking lot here, and you are carrying your gear in at most 100 yards, up hill, to the farthest spot. It is the crest of the hill, so the different spots have different amounts of slope. Pay attention to the descriptions in the reservation website if you're not prepared for this. The whole site is one large cleared oval, with a large grassy area (well mown) at the crest. There is room for the kids (or dog) to run around in circles, but you'll want to watch the thrown ball. It is really, really quiet. We could not hear anyone at the park down below. If you're lucky and have no clouds, there is virtually no light pollution and you can see the Milky Way. You are not within walking distance of the main park or trails, so plan on driving down to the main park or to the trail head you intend to use. There is water (drinking fountain and spigot) and his/hers pit toilets with antibacterial soap (you know the brand name).

Activities: it is a state park, so there are some things aimed at kids and there were lots of kids this past week running around looking busy and happy (even the teenagers). The lake has a sand beach and designated swim area. It is blocked off from the rest of the lake by a wooden dock from which you are able to shallow dive (it's only seven or eight feet deep). Swim at your own risk. There are peddle boats to rent (two drivers, two passengers). We rented canoes, but there is also a rowboat and several kayaks. The main lake is large enough that an hour's rental is just fine for your canoe time. Separately there is a boat launch, and a fishing dock. There is a small two-room nature center, and there is a naturalist who conducts several activities. In past years we've been able to spend an hour or so at the nature rooms, and then let the kids go off with the naturalist on an hour+ guided hike down the creek to explore for wildlife and plants. Call the camp store to get information on that. The camp store is friendly and welcoming, with a small selection of mementos (magnets, hiking sticks), a few nature-themed toys, last-minute forgets (duct tape, popcorn, table cloth and the like) and ice cream. The front porch has a swing and rocking chairs, and will definitely block a heavy thunderstorm for you. There is miniature golf, but don't expect a major chain's high quality production--this is a state park. There is a foosball table and air hockey as well in a separate game room. The park is well looked after, and the staff are friendly and helpful--everyone knows why they are there.

For committed outdoors people, it is a good base from which to explore Hocking Hills (25 minutes away) and the Tar Hollow State Forest trails. You're near the Buckeye Trail (accessed from the trail below the dam, 1.5 miles up to the Fire Tower), and the Logan Trail loop in the state forest. For the family looking to get away for a day or two, there is much to do so long as you aren't expecting a resort. And to get the kids off the electronics...oh, sorry, there's no cell phone access at all. Just listen for the hawks, the tree frogs, and the rest of nature.

Remote and peaceful

Tar hollow state park is a nice place to be away from it all and enjoy some camping time with family.

Nice little campground and lake

We went to Tar Hollow state Park campground on April 11,2019 and it was as quiet as can be!! Not one camper by us. Perfect spot lot 71, it has plenty of room for a couple tents or pop up and tents and still have room for 2-3 cars. But this is probably the only campsite you can do that in. The rest are tight and with little to no space. Lots 1-27, I would say are for campers, RVs etc very little to no space for tents. Lots 67-70 I would say are for tents. Tight road getting in and out. Lot 71 I would say is for both tents and campers. Behind lot 71 is woods so you can do off trail hiking. Be ready for a climb but it’s pretty. There’s a playground for the kids and a wooden swing for the parents to sit and watch there kids. The bathrooms down on this site are pit toilets but the bathrooms by lots 1-27 have flushing toilets and that is where the shower house is located. I don’t recommend lots 32-37 because from what can see you have to drive through the grass to get to them. Lots 30-31A would be nice it you have kids (not toddlers) because there’s a small stream to play in and on the other side of the stream is the playground. The stream is only like 3 ft wide so easy for kids to cross but yet parent can sit at campsite and watch kids at playground. Staff was nice but rarely saw a ranger. General store did say they just opened today. I would probably never come here when it is busy. I would have no idea how everyone would drive by each other roads are not wide and some campsites have little space to park. But for as of now - beginning of season its great! There is a small beach that we didn’t go to and a movie screen that we didn’t go to nor know if they use. The store staff said there is fish in the lake. Naturally breed not stocked. 

Great off season!

Great camping experience! Waited too late to book in hocking hills state park but found a site here instead. We are tent campers and stayed in site 106 on"Northridge". Loved that the non-electric tent sites were so isolated from the RV campers. Site 107 gets muddy with a lot of rain. Sites 108-112 have a pretty significant slope. Each site in the loop has a picnic table and fire ring. There's a dumpster, pit toilets, and water. It was a short drive to the rest of the campers, a great hot shower, fantastic general store, miniature golf, and the beach to swim or lake to kayak. Took us at least 30 minutes to drive to the common hocking hills hikes but well worth it. We would return.

Loved it for tent camping

Beautiful, secluded group camping. Shelter and pit bathrooms. Wide open space for lots of campers. Nice access to trails. Beach area is clean &amp; small little lake. Nature center &amp; lots of activities near the camp store. Trails are not marked well. Thankfully we were not doing a backpacking trip. Beware if you are. We have heard some frustrating on the trail markings. Part of the Buckeye Trail runs through the park. They also have a thriving Timber Rattlesnake population. Watch your steps.

State Forest Camping

It was a cold rainy day when I pulled into the park. I wasn't super impressed with the park. So, I opted to get back on the road. It was a quiet park with maybe 10 sites occupied. 

They do have nice shelters but through out the park the bathrooms need updated. The camp sites by the lake held the most promise but then I saw warnings about sewage. They had an awesome putt putt site.  Everything was locked up due to COVID-19 in terms of rentals. 

Each site felt like it would be a muddy camping experience. The campground roads could use some care. I then went to the beach which looked nice but I wasn't sure if it was safe due to the signage. 

The fire tower which is what I was most looking forward to was closed due to covid-19. It is a short drive maybe 20 minutes from the center of the campgrounds.  The signs don't give an indication on how far or what a location is such as shelter house name. 

I did find some trails and blazes. For backpackers look at the trail and campsite by the fire tower as that was a nice find. The markings could be improved upon for all of the trails. 

Cell phone signal even with Verizon wasn't a possibility. Make sure you know how to get there and back to where you need to go. I used a paper map to reorient where I was after I popped out of the park after visiting the fire tower.

Needs some love

Stayed two nights at Tar Hollow's North Ridge Campground, which is the tent only campground. Be sure to visit the "Camp General Store" to pick up your permit before heading to your campsite. If your GPS takes you to the North Ride campground, just drive past and continue on until you see the general store/putt putt area. Believe the camp store is open until 8pm during the week. 

We were on site 106, which is at the far end of the campground. The campground is about 2-3 acres large, situated on a hill with a path dug out around the perimeter. 

Some positives about the campground and site 106: 

\-the path around the hill allows for great drainage; a huge help if you're camping in rainy weather. 

\-the north ridge campground is in an entirely separate area of the park than the RVs and there aren't many campsites, so in that way it feels a little more remote and secluded. 

\-In addition to the path around the perimeter of the campsite there is a path leading up through the middle of the campground with the campsites situated on either side of the path. Since site 106 is at the far end, you don't have anyone walking by your campsite to and from the parking lot. 

\-Pine lake is a beautiful little spot to fish, rent a paddle boat, or just relax. There is also a pretty spacious beach area.

\-There is a water spigot, restrooms, and a dumpster.

\-There is no cell service. Enjoy the outdoors! You are off the grid! 

Some negatives about the campground and site 106: 

\-You cannot park your car directly at your campsite. There is a parking lot at the bottom of the campground hill. You have to carry your items to your campsite. Depending on what site you reserved you could have to walk uphill for about 100-150 yards. This could be an issue for differently abled people. Also, it means you need to be crafty about securing your food at night if you don't want to walk it back down to your car. 

\-Many of the campsites are situated on pretty intense slopes. 106 wasn't too bad. I would guess 105 is probably the most level site in the campground. 

\-Site 106 is the farthest from the parking lot. Great for privacy, bad for lugging your stuff to and from the car. 

\-The bathrooms are pit latrines. Normally, I wouldn't be too concerned about this (you're camping! it's cool to rough it a bit!) However…these are some of the dirtiest I've experienced. The bathrooms are also very narrow and perhaps most importantly, they are not lit, so you have to make sure you bring your headlamp with you at night. I also couldn't get the latch to lock on the doors, but maybe that was user error. There is toilet paper and hand sanitizer (but I always double sanitized with my own sanitizer back at our tent--such was the state of these bathrooms.) 

\-The campsites are all pretty close together. We got lucky and there was no one next to us, but even so we could still clearly hear conversations at other campsites and folks snoring at night. 

\-There is no cell service. Be sure to give anyone who may need to contact you a heads up.

All in all, we had a positive experience and were glad we went. That said, there are better spots to tent camp in and around OH.

Tar Hollow North Ridge Campground

My friend and I recently stayed at the north ridge campsite, which is the tents only site at Tar Hollow State Park.  I had both positive and negative experiences.  Let's start with the positives.  It's a very secluded campsite so it really feels like you're one with nature.  The pit latrines are convenient for those emergency situations but they're not the cleanest but it is not a far drive to the flush toilets at the RV campsite area near the camp store.  Site 106 is a great site if you choose to stay here.  It is very flat, one of the most flat sites (I think 105 is more flat) and so my night's sleep was great.  

  

Now for the negatives, which sadly outweigh the positives for my stay.  

You are right next to your camping neighbors.  I have terrible luck and ended up staying next to a very inconsiderate and loud group that included their many dogs. Normally this wouldn't bother me but I could hear all of their conversations because we were so close to them.  You can hear snoring and other "nighttime" noises so just be aware others can and will hear you.  I wasn't able to find the water spigot right away because someone set up their tent right next to it but then was able to find it once they moved their tent.  This is more of a negative of the State Park but the hiking paths are not clearly marked and I am embarrassed to admit I did get lost in the woods.  The map they have is in black in white but the park uses a color system.  This could be solved by taking a picture of the colorful map right by the fire tower.  

  

Overall, I don't think I would choose to return to this site for camping because you're just way to close to others around you.

Scenic but too close to neighbors

This was our first camping trip here and it won’t be out last.  We loved this little hidden gem of a park.  We were on site 5 and it was level side to side but sloped front to back. The parking pad was nice and it looked like many had been freshly paved.  
Some sites are just in the grass and could get muddy since the park is in a valley but they would be perfect for tent camping or a smaller camper.  
Lots of hiking trails, a like for swimming and fishing, playground, and fire tower. They also had a mini golf course, outdoor movie screen and a camp store that has a game room and nature center.  Most of this part was closed because of winter camping and Covid.  
The staff that we saw working were really friendly and recommend some great hiking trails. 

Small but A lot to Offer

The grounds were clean and fairly well maintained.  There are shower facilities, potable water and vault toilets.  Not certain about laundry facilities.  Pine Lake is nice, but the beach is a bit small.  Overall, this has been a lovely place to relax and decompress!  Would certainly return again for another trip.  

A Great Place to Getaway

Creek adjacent, hiking trail nearby, small lake... the only down side was the sound of the water treatment thingy across the creek. (Stayed at the non-electric sites down below the lake. Nice and spacious.)

Camping!

It was better than decent😀. The bathrooms and bathhouse were clean  .. one broken shower head but the other three were functional. Clean hot water without an odor. The general store employee (SANDY) was everything and exceptional. She went over and waaayyy beyond to help us as we were new to the area. I appreciate her generosity with her time.  She is a true gem:)
The park was clean with very neighborly neighbors. We did not hit the trails as it was only a 1-night stop on our journey. It was a back in -concrete trailer site (our trailer was 32 feet ) with electric only  (no problems) and there was a potable water faucet nearby. We noticed a dump station as we were leaving the park. 

Call ahead so that the employee Can tell you the best way into the park .. the alternate way we didn’t take apparently had winding narrow turns with steep hills.
Also… please go there in the daytime silly us arrived at night and it was quite a challenge.
Overall, we enjoyed our stop at this Ohio state park. Thanks again Sandy!!! You will not be forgotten:)

I will return

I stayed in the non electric sites near the lake &amp; had the place to myself on a sun &amp; mon night. The noise of the water treatment area nearby is easily tuned out during the day but would recommend earplugs at night. Nice clean bathrooms nearby, proximity to the lake was nice &amp; trails are well marked (I only did the 2 shorter trails). Would recommend against sites 94-95 as they seemed a bit of an afterthought… very narrow and right up against the parking lot near basketball hoop. I paid the extra $6 to move to another site even though there was no one else staying there, just to get more into the trees. Sites 87 &amp; 88 are a bit more secluded but closer to bathroom so may have more foot traffic when busier. Most of the traffic in the parking lot was just people coming to hike or play basketball in the parking lot, not people staying there. 

nice place!

We just purchased our camper and this was the first place we went. We are familiar with this park due to the little “beach“ area they have.  We stayed in the off-season, so there was not a whole lot of people. Our stay was quiet and relaxing. ￼￼loved our site too. 