Iowa State Parks

Iowa's state parks are a thing of beauty. They provide campers with a number of different activities to do and sites to see. These wonderful creations need to be preserved. The state and DNR are working together to try and accomplish this. Beginning Feb 1, campers are allowed to reserve a spot in an Iowa State Park for the Camping Kick-off Weekend May 1, 2, and 3. During these days campers will receive a bonus package that includes a camping coupon good for one night of camping at an electrical site, a free issue of Iowa Outdoors magazine, recipes, camping tips and more in a reusable mesh trash bag (Iowa DNR). This is supposed to help promote being a green camper. Last year the State Parks Bureau spent around $750,000 on utilities of the parks, so this year they are providing information on how campers can reduce the amount of water and electricity used in the campsites (Kevin Szcodronski, chief of the State Parks Bureau for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.) "We will be encouraging the use of the reusable trash bags to collect trash around the campsite, recycle what we can, and put the rest where it goes, then keep the mesh bag for reuse," said Kevin. During the past few years, Iowa's camping numbers have been around 700,000 in the 53 state parks that offer camping (Iowa DNR). As you can see Iowa is full of great camping opportunities. The parks are located on focal points of the areas. Throughout the years Iowans have stayed close to home during rough economical times, and we can expect the next few years to be the same. This will increase the number of campers because it is a good way to relax without speding you whole wallet. I am hoping to get out to at least one of these great parks this year. They really are a place where anyone can go and have a good time. So let's keep them that way. If you do decide to take advantage of these parks just remember to keep them looking healthy and beautiful.