COLUMBUS, OH -- The upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend traditionally signals the start of Ohio's camping season. And this year, campers have more reasons than ever to visit the 57 Ohio State Parks family campgrounds, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Memorial Day is the most popular camping holiday of the year, said Dan West, chief of Ohio State Parks. And our campgrounds offer dozens of opportunities for family fun. We also have two convenient ways to check for campsite availability before leaving home."
Camping at Ohio State Parks is still first come, first served. But finding an Ohio State Parks campground with vacancies is now as easy as visiting the ODNR web site at Ohiodnr.com any weekday or by calling toll free 1-800-BUCKEYE. Campsite availability information will be updated on the web site every day, Monday through Friday.
This year, improved campgrounds will greet campers at West Branch State Park in Portage County and at Wolf Run State Park in Noble County. The formerly all primitive 138-site campground at Wolf Run now features 70 sites with electrical hookups.
Phase one of a $2.6 million improvement project at West Branch is now completed and the campground is open for the summer. The formerly all-primitive 103-site campground was closed last year while workers added electricity to 50 sites, constructed two new shower houses with flush toilets (including one heated shower house); installed drinking fountains throughout; and added a new dual sanitary dump station for trailers. Additional improvements are scheduled for next year at West Branch.
Improvements to the campground at Pymatuning State Park in Ashtabula County will be complete in coming days, weather permitting. The campground will feature upgraded sewer and water facilities, as well as 18 renovated campsites with full-service hookups offering electric, as well as sewer and water on site.
In addition, four state parks have added to their Camping Options programs. Camping Options provide equipment to campers who want to sample the outdoor experience without investing in tents, RVs and other gear. A new tepee is available for rent at John Bryan State Park in Greene County. The tepee, which sleeps five adults, comes with cooler, foam sleeping pads, cots, a lantern, broom and dustpan. Shawnee State Park in Scioto County has also added two tepees to its campground.
East Harbor State Park in Ottawa County, the largest campground in the state park system, now features two deluxe camper cabins. These cozy structures sleep four and come equipped with a small refrigerator, microwave and coffeepot, along with air conditioning and a deck. Mohican State Park in Ashland County has also added a rustic camper cabin with basic sleeping accommodations and a front porch.
Ohio's 74 state parks offer more than 9,000 campsites in 57 parks. Amenities range from fully developed sites with water and electric hookups, showers and camp stores to primitive walk-in sites. Although campgrounds operate without reservations, contacting the individual park office may reserve the Camping Options rentals.