Campgrounds in Guthrie County are open for camping to those that enjoy spending their time outside.

Guthrie County Conservation Director Brad Halterman says that the conservation department waits until temperatures stay above freezing for a few days before they really get into the swing of getting things ready. He adds that usually April 15th is when they start preparing, but if temperatures are still too low, they’ll wait. Halterman tells Raccoon Valley Radio that as the weather improves, campers start to make their way to Lennon Mills Park and Nations Bridge Park to camp, but that the biggest weekend before summer hasn’t passed yet.

“We always kind of look at that Memorial (Day) Weekend as kind of the kickoff to the summer. So with that coming up here, that weekend being the 27th through the 29th, that’s generally our first really big weekend. So we’re kind of fine tuning some things, getting everything all sinched up, and grass mowed and stuff picked up, and kind of keep ahead of the mowing and having everything, shelter houses, restrooms, shower house, playground equipment, all of that stuff up and going. And hopefully the weather cooperate and we have a big weekend.”

Halterman mentions that for campers to get a spot at either park, it’s first come, first serve. They just need to fill out the paperwork at the self sign-in, and take the indicated part of the paperwork to the spot they will be using, while leaving the rest in the yellow registration tube at the sign-in. Halterman advises that in order for someone to truly have the spot, their camper or tent must be in the spot they signed up for, and/or they must have paid for the spot with their registration papers.