Is Tar Hollow Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Tar Hollow Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Tar Hollow Campground before I book?

Yes! Tar Hollow Campground has 19 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Tar Hollow Campground?

Yes, Tar Hollow Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Tar Hollow Campground have?

Tar Hollow Campground has 105 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Tar Hollow Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Tar Hollow Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Tar Hollow Campground?

Tar Hollow Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Tar Hollow Campground?

Popular activities at Tar Hollow Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Tar Hollow Campground

4.27

43 reviews

Featured in:Group Camping Ohio

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

105 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Partial HookupsShowersWiFi

Book on Ohio Department of Natural Resources (Ohio State Parks)Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

105 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Partial HookupsShowersWiFi

Book on Ohio Department of Natural Resources (Ohio State Parks)Official Website

Tar Hollow Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Ohio State Parks

Provider

(866) 644-6727

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Tar Hollow Campground

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Campground Map

Tar Hollow Campground

No map location available

Weather at Tar Hollow Campground

Best Time to Camp at Tar Hollow Campground

Fall brings the best conditions. Daytime highs settle into the 50s and 60s with nights in the 30s and 40s. Hardwood ridges and hollows show peak leaf color from late September through mid-October, and trails stay comfortable for long hikes. Wildlife activity picks up, and the CCC cabin and quiet hollows look especially good in autumn light. Crowds remain low except on crisp weekend days. Deer-hunting seasons overlap with fall visits, so check dates. Most camper reviews describe warm-weather stays from late spring through early fall when the beach, paddleboats, and naturalist programs run. Summer weekends draw more families to the main campground. Shoulder seasons likely offer quieter loops and fewer bugs, though wet or icy conditions make the strenuous trails harder to navigate.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Planning Tips

About Tar Hollow Campground

Nestled within 604 acres of rugged ravines and towering hardwoods, Tar Hollow Campground offers an escape into southern Ohio's wild heart. Choose from 55 electric sites along peaceful Caldwell Lake or venture to the primitive equestrian area's 15 non-electric sites near Sugarloaf Mountain—all pet-friendly and bookable up to six months ahead.

Combination of primitive equestrian sites and developed campground options: non-electric and electric sites for car campers and RVs, group camps/shelter houses, and cabins reported in listings.

Weather and SeasonsFall brings the best conditions. Daytime highs settle into the 50s and 60s with nights in the 30s and 40s. Hardwood ridges and hollows show peak leaf color from late September through mid-October, and trails stay comfortable for long hikes. Wildlife activity picks up, and the CCC cabin and quiet hollows look especially good in autumn light. Crowds remain low except on crisp weekend days. Deer-hunting seasons overlap with fall visits, so check dates. Most camper reviews describe warm-weather stays from late spring through early fall when the beach, paddleboats, and naturalist programs run. Summer weekends draw more families to the main campground. Shoulder seasons likely offer quieter loops and fewer bugs, though wet or icy conditions make the strenuous trails harder to navigate.

Natural Features and SceneryWind your way through dramatic ravines where dense hardwood canopies create a cathedral of green overhead. The campground sits in the shadow of Sugarloaf Mountain, where campers can wake to sweeping views across the Scioto Valley. Whether you settle in beside the tranquil waters of Caldwell Lake or explore the vast surrounding Tar Hollow State Forest, you'll find yourself immersed in some of Ohio's most unspoiled wilderness.

Geological RegionScioto Valley

Scenic ViewsScenic views of the Scioto Valley from ridgetops and forest roads; developed sites near Caldwell Lake provide lakeside scenery.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations may be made online or by calling (866) 644-6727; reservations may be made up to six months in advance.

Total Campsites105 campsites

Best CampsitesA total of 105 camping options are available. There are 55 electric sites located near Caldwell Lake. A primitive equestrian area has 15 non-electric sites: horse picket lines (tie lines) are located behind sites 1–10; sites 11–15 do not have horse picket lines. A shelterhouse is available first-come, first-served when not reserved.

Need help booking Tar Hollow Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Ohio State Parks Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Tar Hollow State Park Campground has a variety of sunny and shady sites, with Electric, Full Hook-up, and Non-electric sites as well as Sherman Cabins, and Group Camping.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

WiFi

Flush toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

A mix of wooded hiking and backcountry recreation with lake-based activities and family-oriented campground amenities. Activities range from day hikes and challenging backpacking loops in the adjoining state forest to lake swimming, paddle boating, and shoreline fishing.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.3

43 reviews

Satisfactory

Tar Hollow Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors generally praise Tar Hollow for its wooded, family-friendly campground, miles of trails and a small lake with swimming and paddle-boat recreation; staff and cleanliness are commonly noted positively. Common negative notes focus on limited cell service, some crowded or cramped tent loops, occasional noisy or poorly sited primitive sites, and older restroom facilities in some areas.

Review Summaries

Based on 43 reviews

What Campers Love

Quiet, woodsy setting with good hiking and backpacking; family amenities include a lake with a small beach, paddleboats, playground and on-site programs; many visitors report clean grounds, roomy...

Based on 43 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Plan assuming little to no mobile reception and rely on maps or offline navigation; reserve sites up to six months in advance for busy weekends; choose electric/regular sites or more remote...

Based on 43 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Zero cell service — be prepared."; "Clean, well kept, nice facilities... roomy sites."; "Avoid primitive sites 87–95 below the dam — loud humming from the wastewater plant."

Based on 43 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

Backpackers and families both land well: electric sites near Caldwell Lake are roomy and clean, the fire tower trails are legitimately strenuous, and lake swimming plus paddleboats keep kids busy all weekend.

Skip if

No cell signal kills this for anyone expecting to stay connected, the campground store Wi-Fi is your only option. Tent campers should also avoid sites 101–112, which reviewers consistently flag as cramped, and ask specifically about primitive sites near the wastewater aeration un

Campgrounds

Tar Hollow State Park

Tar Hollow Campground

About Ohio River - Pool 52

Context for the broader area surrounding Tar Hollow Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Locks and Dam No. 52 is located on the Ohio River, near Brookport, IL, at mile 939 below Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.