COLUMBUS, OH - Governor Bob Taft has designated April as "Go Camping, Ohio" month, urging camping enthusiasts to take advantage of spring's first warm days to enjoy Ohio's great outdoors.
As an incentive, all Ohio State Parks campgrounds and participating members of the Ohio Campground Owners' Association (OCOA) are offering special discounts on stays of two nights during the month. Campers pay regular campsite fees for the first night, then receive 50 percent off the second night's fee.
Camping is a great tradition in Ohio that we and the OCOA want to share with experienced and novice campers, said Dan West, Ohio State Parks chief. As we kick off the 2002 season, this is our way of saying 'thanks' to those many campers who utilize state park and OCOA campgrounds.
Last year, almost 2.5 million people camped in the 57 Ohio State Parks campgrounds, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Many more enjoyed Ohio's beautiful scenery and wildlife while camping in the approximately 500 private campground facilities throughout the state. Camping is an important part of Ohio's $25.7 billion tourism industry and "Go Camping, Ohio" month marks an important partnership between the state's public and private campgrounds. An estimated 30 million Americans camp each year in the nation's 16,000 public and private campgrounds.
Ohio State Parks campgrounds and OCOA members offer a wide array of camping opportunities from primitive tent campsites to full-service hook-ups for recreational vehicles and trailers. Horsemen's camping is offered in 21 state parks and 13 state forests, as well as in some OCOA campgrounds. Family campgrounds in the state parks as well as most OCOA members provide, at a minimum, drinking water, restroom facilities, pads for parking a car or trailer, picnic tables and fire rings.
Campers who do not own equipment can make reservations now to enjoy the experience this season through one of Ohio State Parks Camping Options programs. Rent-A-Camp and Camper Cabins, Rent-A-RV, Rent-A-Tepee, Rent-A-Yurt, and Cedar Cabins allow novice or experienced campers to enjoy the fun of camping without the expense or hassle of providing equipment. Campers interested in renting equipment are encouraged to contact a specific park to see what Camping Options programs are available.
Campers can plan their summer camping vacations now by visiting the ODNR web site at Ohiodnr.com or the OCOA web site at www.ohiocamper.com .