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Log inState campsites filling up fast
State campsites filling up fast
by Outspoken on Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:43 am
State campsites filling up fast
Reservations at Maine state parks have hit an all-time high for this time of year, officials say.
By MATT WICKENHEISER
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
Even with an impressive winter that seems reluctant to relinquish its hold, some people are making plans for the coming camping season.
Camping reservations at state parks have hit an all-time high for this time of year, according to the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.
After two months of taking reservations, the total is up by almost 300 to 4,511, compared to the 4,213 filed by this time last year. Some tourism experts speculate that more people in the region will travel shorter distances this summer to save fuel and money, at this time of high gasoline prices and a slow economy.
"I think possibly with the increase in the cost of gas, people are looking to take their vacations closer to home," said Will Harris, bureau director, "as well we think they should -- this is Vacationland, after all."
The reservations total is for Maine's 12 state parks with campsites -- which stretch from Aroostook State Park in The County to Cobscook Bay Down East and Bradbury Mountain in Pownal. They reflect an increase in the number of nights reserved, so far clocking in at 21,084 nights, up almost 700 from last year at this time.
Patrick McGowan, commissioner of the Maine Department of Conservation, noted that many state park users are residents who check a 10-day forecast and then make camping reservations.
"Those numbers are good indicators," McGowan said. "What really drives us is the weather."
The increase in numbers is reflected in other camping venues, at least anecdotally.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=180198&ac=PHnws
Reservations at Maine state parks have hit an all-time high for this time of year, officials say.
By MATT WICKENHEISER
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
Even with an impressive winter that seems reluctant to relinquish its hold, some people are making plans for the coming camping season.
Camping reservations at state parks have hit an all-time high for this time of year, according to the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.
After two months of taking reservations, the total is up by almost 300 to 4,511, compared to the 4,213 filed by this time last year. Some tourism experts speculate that more people in the region will travel shorter distances this summer to save fuel and money, at this time of high gasoline prices and a slow economy.
"I think possibly with the increase in the cost of gas, people are looking to take their vacations closer to home," said Will Harris, bureau director, "as well we think they should -- this is Vacationland, after all."
The reservations total is for Maine's 12 state parks with campsites -- which stretch from Aroostook State Park in The County to Cobscook Bay Down East and Bradbury Mountain in Pownal. They reflect an increase in the number of nights reserved, so far clocking in at 21,084 nights, up almost 700 from last year at this time.
Patrick McGowan, commissioner of the Maine Department of Conservation, noted that many state park users are residents who check a 10-day forecast and then make camping reservations.
"Those numbers are good indicators," McGowan said. "What really drives us is the weather."
The increase in numbers is reflected in other camping venues, at least anecdotally.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=180198&ac=PHnws
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Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
