CHAMPOEG, Ore. — Hoping to book a campsite this summer? If you haven’t done it yet, good luck, because many sites have been booked for months. That’s usually the case any given summer, but that’s especially true this year because many people are staying closer to home for vacation this year, and fewer sites are open because of the pandemic.
Camping is the one thing that hasn’t changed this year for the Elkins family. They’re spending the next several days at Champoeg State Park. This is the second year they have spent the week camping. Samantha Elkins said she thought of different vacation spots to go to but, it became apparent that the great outdoors was going to be the family’s vacation this summer. Elkins said the big reason for being close to home this year for a family vacation was all about safety.
“Going to even a hotel, there is just so much risk of being around other people and cleanliness and we’re all contained in our own area, so it makes it real safe,” said Elkins.
Making sure campers stay safe has been keeping park ranger Brenda Chapman very busy.
“It was a little scary opening the park back up not knowing for sure how the guests would comply with the guidelines that we have,” said Chapman.
Campers are going to see signs about wearing masks all over campgrounds across the state. They’ll also see other changes, too. Many have closed their shower areas. There are only eight people allowed per campsite, and there are less rangers right now because of cuts.
The spokesperson for Oregon Parks and Recreation department said if they see a crowding problem at a campsite, that park rangers will talk to campers at the site. He added they don’t always have the time to do that, and that they have to maintain distance themselves.
Park rangers like Chapman want campers to remember to follow the new guidelines at the campgrounds and keep everyone safe.