PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As more and more people get vaccinated and COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease, Pennsylvania state parks are preparing for an anticipated surge of summer visitors.
More rangers and support staff have been hired to handle what is traditionally the busiest season of the year for state parks.
Cindy Adams Dunn, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which manages all 121 state parks, said preparation mode is all hands on deck.
“We’re spiffing up the pavilions, getting parks clean, safe, ready to use,” Dunn said. The department is also hiring lifeguards and staff to get ready for pools, like the ones at Marsh Creek and French Creek in southeastern Pennsylvania.
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Dunn expects a high attendance at state parks this summer, similar to last year. Weekends and holidays were especially busy last summer.
“The swimming pools and beaches can really reach capacity,” she said. “Sadly, whole parks reach capacity and we sometimes had to turn people away.”
Dunn suggests making a slight change in your plans, if possible, to avoid the crowds.
“If you have the flexibility to come during a weekday, you’ll have a lot more space on the beach, you’ll have more room in a pool,” she said.
Consequently, Memorial Day weekend is already filling up.
“Memorial Day weekend is 85% reserved already and we’re still a ways out from that,” Dunn said.
Your annual family campout may require advanced planning this year, or a different state park altogether than in years past.
“If you know you want to camp or you’re hoping to rent a cabin, they are filling up,” Dunn added. “So even if you’re thinking of late summer or early fall, it’s not too early to get on. We allow reservations for campsites and cabins 11 months in advance.”
Reservations can be made online.