Camping at State Parks

If you are a camping enthusiast as well as a nature lover, you are just the type of person who should be taking advantage of camping your state parks.

Yes, I know there are other campsites available that offer swimming pool, showers, laundry facilities and even a camp store. That may be just the ticket for some campers who simply want to get away and still have conveniences around them. And I say, good for them; at least they are getting away from the rat race for a while.

But if you tend to like your camping experience to be just a little more adventurous, and yes, even primitive, if you chose to tent it, then your state parks should be on your lists of camping sites. Don’t worry, state campgrounds have electrical hookups for regular pull type campers and even motor homes.

For one thing, when you camp at a state campground you can wake up each morning with the sounds of nature right outside you door. You look you your window or step outside and see nature as it should be. Birds are singing, friendly little gophers (ground squirrels) are running around in your back yard. And most importantly, you see the sights of children interacting with adults in a huge open area next to their campsite in a very safe environment.

There’s room enough at a campsite to put up a croquet game, or a volleyball net or bean bag game, or just simply tossing a ball or a disc back and forth.

In our state campgrounds, there are free activities going on throughout the day and into the evenings. For instance, there is junior ranger program for kids to learn about and respect all aspects of the natural world we live in. The kids are encourage to take part in any ‘hands on’ experience as well.

Later in the evening, when the sun sets, you are all invited to a little outdoor movie, at the campground ampitheater. These 30 minute movies involve learning about different cultures, or plants and animal of other parts of the world. We are also invited to have free popcorn and a freezie pop. The kicker here is to pick up after yourself when you leave. That’s a no brainer.