But the season didn’t start out that way thanks to closures caused by COVID. Camping was not allowed, by the Governor’s order, until early June. So overall numbers are down.
“In accordance with the Governor’s orders we weren’t able to open until June 5th, so we lost the entire month of May in terms of revenue,” says Anoka County Parks Director Jeff Perry. “Our revenues are down approximately 25 percent.
“I think people are eager, they’re hungry to get out of doors and start recreating in small groups and social distancing,” says Perry.
That would include campers like Jesse Kneeland and his family.
“Doing nothing makes it worth all the effort to get away from the business of life, social media, internet, just sit back by the fire with your family and you doing nothing together,” said Kneeland.
Camper Rich Toonen says he’s never seen campsites so busy.
“The weekends are basically full. You can find a site once in awhile without plug-ins, without power but all the power sites are spoken for every weekend,” Toonen says.
He has a theory about the popularity of camping.
“I think people don’t want to get on airplanes and fly to places and they’re doing their travel local and they’ll probably keep that up for a couple years until this whole COVID mess straightens out,” said Toonen.
For now, Parks Director Perry says they’re expecting a strong finish to the season.
The campground at Rice Creek Regional Park is open through September 27. At Bunker Hills, campsites are open through October 18.
