Recent hot temperatures may send most people inside, but milder temperatures throughout the summer have been good for camping.

Guthrie County Conservation Director Brad Halterman says that for those that enjoy spending their time outdoors and seeing the wildlife, there’s plenty to see while camping at Nations Bridge or Lennon Mills Parks, the two county-run parks. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio about some of the more common animals that campers may see in both parks.

“Deer are the most popular big game animal, so to speak, that folks will see. We have deer wandering through both of the parks quite regularly. Turkeys is another animal that you’ll see with some frequency.”

Halterman explains that the creatures begin to shrink in size, with raccoons, opossums, squirrels and songbirds also being common animals that can be seen at either campground, or on the Raccoon River Valley Trail system. He adds that with rivers running along both parks, waterfowl and other aquatic animals can also be seen. Halterman mentions that there is one elusive animal that he’s always excited to see when he’s out and about on the trail or the parks, which is bobcats.