Campsites see boom in business

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Thanks to those hoping to avoid the sting of high gas prices while on vacation this summer, local camgrounds say business is booming, particularly for the upcoming holiday weekend.

Reservations at state campgrounds are up about 10 percent over last season, according to Dan Keefe, spokesman for the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation.

"For the Fourth of July, we are 89 percent booked for Friday," Keefe said. "Last year, the peak day was 83 percent."

Maureen Wren, spokeswoman for the state Department of Environmental Conservation, said in 2007, advanced reservations for the Fourth of July weekend totaled 3,207. As of last week, advanced reservations for the upcoming holiday totaled 4,809, a 50 percent increase. The DEC operates more than 50 campgrounds in the Adirondack Park, including ones in Northville, Northampton and Speculator.

Keefe attributed the increase in reservations to the convenience and affordability of a campground vacation.

"The one theory is that it's an affordable way to take a good vacation," he said. "You don't have to drive far or spend a lot of money on gas to go camping."

A news release from OPRHP said the cost of living and rising gas prices are the cause of the increase.

"With gasoline prices soaring, state parks are an attractive and inexpensive option for people looking to get away - without driving too far away," said Carol Ash, OPRHP commissioner.

With regard to the upcoming Fourth of July weekend, local private campground owners are reporting excellent business.

"I'm booked solid for most of the summer," said William Houck, director of the Pine Lake Park Campground in Caroga. "Our business has been very good."

Houck said he has noticed a slight increase in reservations compared to last summer. He said his campground is full for the Fourth of July weekend.

One marked difference Houck has noticed is an increase in more permanent visitors.

"The seasonal people are coming in and staying all summer," he said. "They're not hauling [their campers] around with them and getting low gas mileage. There's less transient traffic."

Overall, business is up slightly over last summer, a trend Houck said he hopes continues.

Joan Dudley, co-owner of Royal Mountain Campsites, agreed with Houck's assessment.

Dudley said more people are coming to the campsites and staying for longer periods.

"Because of gas, we have people wanting to stay," she said. "We don't get as many overnight people."

She added business started picking up earlier in the season than it usually does.

"I had people calling me back in December and January wanting seasonal sites," she said.

Of the campground's approximately 80 sites, nearly all are booked for the summer, Dudley said.

"It's over the holidays and things like that when business is better," she said.

While business has been up slightly, Dudley said she anticipates business will increase even more now that children are out of school for the summer.

Kayleigh Karutis covers rural Fulton County. She can be reached at ruralnews@leaderherald.com.

Member Comments

View Comments: | 1-3 | Post a comment

stopeurope
07-03-08 8:41 AM »Report Abuse	Do they allow dog at Pine Lake???
rsoxfan33
07-03-08 12:54 AM »Report Abuse	pine lake is privatly owned..nice campsite..and nice people.. gets alittle busy on weekends..
FireKatt
07-02-08 9:35 PM »Report Abuse	Is Pine Lake a state run park does anyone know?? How is the camping there? Fun?

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