WELCOME to the Tar Hollow State Park Website!

Tar Hollow State Forest originated from the Ross-Hocking Land Utilization project of the 1930s. The purpose of the program was to locate families to more productive land, thereby enabling them to better sustain a living. Following termination of the project, the land was leased to the Division of Forestry, and finally transferred to the State in 1958. Tar Hollow is Ohio's third largest state forest, containing 16,120 acres.

A wealth of recreational activities are available at Tar Hollow State Forest. A 46-site primitive horse camp is located at the south end of the forest on Poe Run Road. Latrines are provided at the camp, but electricity and drinking water are not available. Radiating from the horse camp are 26 miles of bridle trails. All bridle trails are south of the fire tower.

A 22-mile network of hiking trails is located in the northern half of the forest.

Seventeen miles of paved forest roads and 14 miles of gravel forest roads provide a great opportunity for a scenic drive and allow good access to all areas of the forest.

 General Forest Rules

• Tar Hollow State Forest is open to visitors between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily. Legal campers, hunters and anglers may be present during other hours.
• Operation of motor vehicles is restricted to roads provided for such travel. The speed limit on state forest roads is 30 mph unless otherwise posted. Vehicles may not be parked where traffic or access to division service roads or trails will be obstructed.
• Horses may be ridden only along forest roads or on designated bridle trails.
• Fires are not permitted except in grills or fire rings provided or in portable stoves. Fires must be attended at all times.
• Litter must be disposed of in receptacles provided.
• Camping is permitted only in areas provided and designated for such use.
• Public display or consumption of any alcoholic beverage is prohibited.
• Disturbance, defacement or destruction of any property, material, natural feature or vegetation is prohibited. Berries, nuts and mushrooms may be gathered and removed except from tree seed orchards or posted areas.
• General visitation guidelines