Parks naturally appealing when times are tough

There's a lot in the news about the economy turning around. Here's a headline about foreclosures leveling off. There's one that says housing starts are up. Says here the stock market is rallying and consumer confidence is improving.

I say blah, blah, blah: Let the bad times roll.

Before brandishing the pitchfork, hear me out.

When Americans are dealt a lemon of an economy, the outdoors often delivers a tasty lemonade. In the past, when recessions have hit, parks and campgrounds have seen improved attendance, as families seek less expensive vacation options. But that connection doesn't always last.

According to a recent article in the New York Times, camping as an outdoor activity has been on the wane for a generation:

"In 1980, there were 3.93 million overnight tent stays at National Park Service properties, including the country's 58 national parks. Last year, 2.95 million stays were registered."

That's not to say I'm rooting for "The Great Recession" to continue, but, if it does, maybe we'll come out on the other side with a nation full of families (and kids, especially) who've had experiences in the outdoors they wouldn't have otherwise.

In Virginia, there are signs that we're off to a good start.

"We have traditionally found that when the economy gets a little tight, because we are a quality outdoor opportunity, we do see a little bit of an uptick," said Gary Waugh, public relations manager for the Virginia state parks.

In the first five months of the year, state parks statistics show that camping has increased by 5 percent and cabin revenue by 6 percent from the same period last year. And that's before the true heart of the camping season has begun.

At Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield County, the increase is even more pronounced. The system's largest park has registered 12 percent more campers in that January-to-May period.

"Starting around the first of April and ever since, it's just been crazy busy," said Louise Woolard, office manager for 20 years at Pocahontas. "Our campground is usually full on the weekend, but we don't usually fill up until Thursday or Friday. This year, people are making reservations earlier in the week. This year, it just seems like there's more demand for the sites."

Karen Beck-Herzog, Shenandoah National Park's public affairs officer, said their numbers from the same period show a similar pattern. Visitation is up 5 percent and camping 12 percent at one of the system's most popular parks. And again, the heavy season isn't reflected in that data.

Waugh said the cabins and lodges that many state parks offer are often the first to see the increased traffic.

"They're one of the areas where we normally see the biggest upswing. For people that like to go out in the outdoors but aren't into roughing it anymore."

Maybe those people, parents, let's say, aren't into roughing it. Maybe with a fuller bank acCount, they would have rented a house at the Outer Banks. Instead, they rent a cabin at Occoneechee State Park on Buggs Island Lake or James River Park in Buckingham County. They take their kids fishing and hiking for a few days. They might just see some wildlife, like deer and turkey, maybe even a covey of quail or a black bear.

Those kids won't remember that they didn't get to go to the beach. They'll remember how it felt to catch a huge blue catfish or see a wild turkey outside their cabin window. And they'll want to do it again the following year. Talk about making lemonade out of lemons: Those kids will forever associate "The Great Recession" with the time they camped out under the stars on the Appalachian Trail or learned to tell a river cooter from a box turtle.

If just some of that happens on a national scale, it might go a long way toward reversing the camping trends of the last generation. And maybe we'll look back 15 years from now and realize that, yeah, the economy stunk, times were tough, but, even in a recession, not everything can be measured in dollars and cents.

Contact Andy Thompson at