Tar Hollow State Forest Ridge Road Technical Loop
Appalachian ridge running with rock gardens
The Ridge Road system in Tar Hollow State Forest follows the spine of the Appalachian foothills through some of Ohio’s most challenging terrain. Built originally to service fire towers, these narrow tracks drop into Pine Creek Gorge where Depression-era CCC crews built stone bridges that still carry traffic today. The descent to Logan Creek involves a technical rocky section known locally as ‘the Staircase’ that tests both driver skill and vehicle articulation.
This is a difficult trail requiring experienced drivers with modified 4WD vehicles, skid plates, and recovery gear. The clay-based soil becomes impassable when wet, making dry summer months the only viable season. No camping allowed within the state forest, but primitive sites exist on adjacent private land with permission. The payoff is genuine backcountry solitude just two hours from Columbus, with views across the Scioto River valley that stretch to the next ridge line.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1420 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with skid plates |
| Nearest town | Chillicothe, Ohio |
| Land manager | Ohio Department of Natural Resources |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner run this trail, or does it need mods?
A bone-stock rig will struggle here. The rock gardens and steep descents into Pine Creek Gorge demand at minimum a lift, skid plates, and all-terrain tires — lockers are a serious advantage on the loose shale sections.
When does Tar Hollow State Forest Ridge Road actually dry out enough to run without tearing it up?
June through September is the window. Spring snowmelt and rain turn the clay-heavy sections into axle-deep mud that damages the trail and will strand you — Ohio's hill country holds moisture longer than you'd expect.
Do you need a permit or pay any fees to run this trail?
No permit is required and there's no fee to access Tar Hollow State Forest for off-highway use on designated forest roads. Check current ODNR postings before you go — temporary closures for logging or trail damage do happen.
What's the hardest section and what exactly makes it technical?
The steep descents into Pine Creek Gorge are where rigs get into trouble — loose shale over embedded rock, off-camber sidehills, and no easy bailout once you're committed. Approach angles matter and a single mistake drops you into trees with no cell service to call for help.
Is there any water or fuel available on trail, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
There is zero fuel or potable water on this 12-mile loop — treat any creek water before drinking it. Chillicothe is your last gas stop, roughly 25 miles from the trailhead, so top off there and carry extra drinking water.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.