As gas prices continue to climb above $5 per gallon and accompanying inflation, people are turning to camping as a cheaper vacation option.
According to a report, Harvest Hosts said that 51% of travelers plan to book campgrounds this summer.
Louis Andres, a park naturalist from the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, noticed an increase in campers even sooner.
“The last two years, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in the number of campers,” he said. “COVID affected us differently than a lot of other businesses. People chose outdoor activities as opposed to indoor activities.”
MWCD offers eight campgrounds, including Pleasant Hill in Perrysville and Charles Mill in Mifflin.
Andres, whose home is at Pleasant Hill, said camping has many advantages.
The appeal is you’re out by yourself,” he said. “You can take your family unit and go outside.”
Campers can spend the day at the beach, walk, hike, kayak, or even horseback at Pleasant Hill.
Andres said that campers in Pleasant Hill could enjoy the numerous programs, music, and the beach at no cost.
“We’re kind of a one-stop trip,” the park naturalist said.
Andres said Pleasant Hill takes camping and boat reservations up to 350 days in advance.
Anyone looking for a luxurious vacation can choose deluxe log cabins, which are in their third season at Pleasant Hill.
The six and eight-person cabins come with a hot tub, Dish TV, an outdoor deck, and campfire furniture, among other amenities.
“They’re just as popular as ever,” Andres said.
Two of the MWCD campgrounds, including Pleasant Hill, have the WhoaZone inflatable obstacle course set up in the lake.
This story originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal. Featured image from Pleasant Hill Lake Park.