With many families trying to hold spending in check, they are taking at least a part of their vacation in the out-of-doors.
State park campgrounds, including Caesar Creek, are nearly full every weekend.
Alan Ferguson, Assistant Manager at Caesar Creek and Cowan Lake State Parks, said people find a way to beat the heat.
In an interview with WHIOTV.COM, Ferguson said Caesar Creek is one of the busiest parks in the state.
“I think a lot of it has to do with the water. The water brings people out. The high cost of gas keeps them close to home,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson said by day, most people head to the beach to cool off.
By nightfall, some campers retreat to their RVs with air conditioners.
Most of Caesar Creek’s 287 campsites have electrical service, so many families in tents often bring fans.
Ferguson said he has also seen more than one family try to rig their tents with window air conditioners from home.
By late Friday, campsites were still available at Caesar Creek, Cowan Lake and Buck Creek in Springfield.
Ferguson cautioned, though, that those sites may fill up by Saturday.
He urged people to check the state Web site before leaving home to check on the availability of campsites.
Click here to see the state parks page. Follow the link marked Campground Availability.
According to figures from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, camping overall for the year is down by 13 percent due to rainy weather early in the season.
A strong showing in July is expected to bring the numbers back up to equal or exceed figures from last year.
Jim.otte@whiotv.com