CAMPING IN AN OHIO STATE PARK IS EASIER THAN EVER THIS SUMMER
Improvements at Hocking Hills, Delaware, Forked Run and Paint Creek await
visitors COLUMBUS, OH - The start of Ohio's recreational season is just days away and Ohio State Parks'
new online reservation system has made it easier than ever for campers to
plan their summer camping adventures, according to the Ohio Department of
Natural Resources (ODNR).
"The Memorial Day weekend is traditionally the most popular camping holiday
of the year," said Dan West, Ohio State Parks chief. "Our new online
reservation system now makes it easy for campers to check campground
availabilities and choose a campsite right from their home computers."
By logging onto ohiodnr.com, Internet users can see which sites are
available in each Ohio State Park campground and reserve just the site they
want for as long as they want. Campers without Internet access can call toll
free 1-866-OHIOPARKS (1-866-644-6727) between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily for
the same information. Campground reservations may be made up to six months
in advance. Reservation and availability information for Getaway rentals and
cottages is also available through the system.
Reservations are encouraged, but are not necessary in Ohio State Parks
campgrounds. Ten to 15 percent of all campground sites are available to
walk-in customers, as are any unreserved campsites.
Campers will find improvements and upgrades in a number of areas. A new
2,700 square-foot Campground Welcome Center is open for business at Hocking
Hills State Park in Hocking County. The combined park office, camp store and
campground check-in was built at a cost of $1.9 million, financed through an
Ohio NatureWorks grant. Last fall, workers reconfigured the park's
campground entrance (off Route 664) to accommodate larger recreational
vehicles and allow more room for campers waiting to check in. They also
upgraded primary electrical service in the 172-site campground and made
additional trail improvements.
A new shelter house at Portage Lakes State Park in Summit County was
completed last year. The shelter house and adjoining parking lot are located
on the 55-acre Knapp Recreation Area, adjacent to Cottage Grove Lake, off
Cottage Grove Road.
The campground at Forked Run State Park in Meigs County now has electric
hook ups at 76 of the park's 198 campsites. Existing campground electrical
service at Delaware State Park in Delaware County and Paint Creek State Park
in Ross and Highland counties has also been upgraded in recent months.
Approximately half of Delaware's 211 campsites will be available and offer
50-amp electrical service for campers over the Memorial Day holiday.
Ohio State Parks offer more than 9,000 campsites in 56 family campgrounds
located in some of Ohio's most scenic natural venues. Amenities range from
fully developed sites with electrical hookups, showers and camp stores, to
primitive walk-in areas.
Source: ODNR
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