High gas prices may be contributing to decline in local campers

by Troy Kehoe (tkehoe@wsbt.com)

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Reservations at local campgrounds are down this year, and gas prices may be to blame

Reservations at local campgrounds are down this year, and gas prices may be to blame. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Jul 4, 2008 at 3:00 PM EST

Story Updated: Jul 10, 2008 at 9:33 PM EST

NORTH LIBERTY — High gas prices are keeping many local drivers close to home this holiday weekend. That's helping to bring in big crowds to local tourism spots like state parks. But an increasing number of people are opting not to spend the night, and that has some local campgrounds worried.

For veteran campers like Nina and Harry Miller, there's no better way to celebrate America's birthday than with a big towable trailer, a sizzling grill, and some fresh air. And that's exactly what they found Friday at Potato Creek State Park.

"We enjoy camping, and that's what it's all about," said Harry, proudly sporting a "USA" T-shirt.

And the Millers aren't alone.

Cars and campers were lined up at Potato Creek on Friday morning, and the park's campground was listed as "full."

When the weather is nice on weekends, filling up the park hasn't been a serious problem, said Potato Creek Property Manager Jim Webb.

But during the week, it's been a different story this year.

"We are down slightly," said Webb. "I believe the gas prices and maybe the weather has played into bringing those numbers down a bit this year."

The Millers are firsthand proof of it. Their annual family camping trip this year cost nearly twice what it did last year.

"It cost me a couple hundred [dollars] just to come up here," said Harry, standing next to his large towable trailer.

And this year, most of the Miller family is only 20 miles from their Goshen home.

"We had planned to go a little bit farther away this year," said Harry's sister in law, Janet Miller. "But [my husband] has a diesel truck, and diesel prices are way up."

"If you really go easy, you might get maybe 10 or 11 [miles to the gallon while towing a trailer]," said Marvin Miller. "It's affected us in the sense of the distance we go, and where we go."

It's a growing concern for local campgrounds.

"It's a big deal because that's our bread and butter, is camping," said Webb. "They are still here, but I thought they'd be a little higher."

And those that are camping, may be camping in a different way.

Regular campers at Potato Creek say they've noticed an absence of a large number of big gas guzzling RVs. Some have even left their towable trailers or campers at home in favor of a good old fashioned tent.

But whether it's a zipper or muffler, most campers WSBT spoke with said they'll find some way to keep camping. It just might be a lot closer to home in the future.

"We'll [keep camping] as long as we can," said Marvin. "But at a point you've got to make a decision: put gas in your truck, or put food on your table!"

Camping reservations are actually up slightly in several other states. Park rangers at Potato Creek say if the weather continues to improve, they do expect to make up at least some of their lost revenue by the end of the season.

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