Tar Hollow State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tar Hollow State Park
Tar Hollow State Park, May 2018
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Location	Hocking County, Ohio, United States
Nearest town	Laurelville
Area	Land: 604 acres (244 ha) Water: 15 acres (6.1 ha)
Elevation	791 feet (241 m)
Established	1949
Administered by	Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Designation	Ohio state park
Website	Tar Hollow State Park

Tar Hollow State Park is a fun outdoor place in Ohio, United States. It's about five miles south of a town called Laurelville. This park is surrounded by the beautiful hills of the Appalachian Plateau. It's also part of a bigger area that includes the nearby Tar Hollow State Forest. At the park, you can go hiking on trails that lead into the forest. You can also enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming in Pine Lake, which is about 15 acres big.

Park History

Tar Hollow got its name a long time ago. Early settlers, called pioneers, used to get pine tar from this area. They used pine tar for many things, like sealing boats and making wagon wheels.

In the 1930s, the United States government bought this land. It was part of a plan to help the country during a tough time called the Great Depression. New programs, known as the New Deal, helped create outdoor places for people to enjoy.

In 1939, the Ohio Division of Forestry started managing the area. It was then called Tar Hollow Forest-Park. Later, in 1949, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources created the state park. Tar Hollow State Park was made from a part of the Tar Hollow State Forest, which is the third largest state forest in Ohio.

What to Do at the Park

Tar Hollow State Park offers many fun activities for visitors.

Hiking Trails

You can explore many hiking trails that wind through the park. Some of these trails even go into the larger Tar Hollow State Forest. It's a great way to see the natural beauty of the area.

Pine Lake Fun

Pine Lake is a central part of the park's activities. It covers about 15 acres.

• You can go boating on the lake.
• It's a popular spot for fishing.
• When the weather is warm, you can also go swimming in the lake.