Green Valley, Honey Creek Campgrounds Open for Memorial Day Weekend

Iowa campgrounds will be bursting at the seams this Memorial Day weekend and with good reason. With a favorable weather forecast, good fishing, and three days in the campground will likely make this holiday one to remember.

Campers have snapped up nearly all electrical sites on the DNR reservation system. For campers without reservations, Green Valley State Park, near Creston, had about 50 electrical sites available as of last Tuesday morning. Green Valley has undergone a major renovation that was completed this spring. It is open for camping, but will not be on the reservation system for 2010.

There are 17 non electric sites at Green Valley that will likely not be available because of wet conditions and the new grass has not yet come in. Campers interested in the site should visit with the park ranger before setting up.

Honey Creek State Park will also allow campers in this weekend after a major road resurfacing project closed the entire park last August. Honey Creek has 28 full hook-up sites, 75 electrical sites and 45 non electric sites and will allow camping on a first come basis.

Other sites available with electricity through the reservation system as of Tuesday morning include one at Clear Lake, two at Lake Keomah, two at Fairport, one at Lacey Keosauqua and one at Prairie Rose. Sites that are ADA compliant are available at Lake Darling, Pine Lake and Stone state parks. Reservations must be made by Wednesday or the sites will become first come, first served for the weekend.

"Campsite reservations for this weekend filled quickly three months ago and with a good weather forecast, my guess is that the first come sites will fill early this week," said Kevin Szcodronski, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau. "My advice to anyone looking for a campsite this weekend is to call first and look at parks further away from the larger cities.

"We've been through a long winter and we want everyone to come out and have a good time," Szcodronski said. "Listen to the birds, enjoy the wildlife and relax with friends and family."

Campgrounds near capacity, boat ramps busy and picnickers filling the shelters will be the norm this weekend. Szcodronski said the increased use is a welcomed sign of summer, and he encouraged campers and visitors to be good neighbors. Campers are also asked to get their firewood locally and to leave all fireworks at home. Don't forget the sunscreen and bug spray.

"Everyone is excited for the first holiday of the camping season and we want to encourage them be courteous to their fellow campers, to pick up after themselves and leave the site in as good or better condition than they found it. It only takes one noisy neighbor to ruin a camping trip for a lot of people," Szcodronski said. "We are also encouraging campers to help us save electricity by turning off their air conditioners when they are not in the camper, and to unplug their lights when they go in for the night."

The campground and boat ramp will not be the only places busy with activity. The prairies and forests that are part of the park will be busy with the sounds of wildlife.

"This really is a great time to be outdoors," Szcodronski said. "It's a nice time to slow down from our busy lives, pull the ear buds out of our ears and appreciate the sounds of nature."

From the witchy-witchy-witchy of the common yellow throat to the sound of grinding steel ball bearings made by cricket frogs. Pheasants are crowing, coyotes howling and hummingbirds are out. Listen for hey-sweetie by the chickadees, and drink your tea from the Eastern towhee. This concert is playing now and campers will have a front row seat.

Another activity hitting its peak is fishing and if there is a lake in or near the park, fishing will be good. Check with the park staff to see what is biting and where to fish. Bluegills, crappies and bass will likely be aggressive and close to shore. Anglers should use small tackle and bait for the best success.