by Kevin Zimmermann
(WHBL) – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will reopen state campgrounds on Wednesday, June 10th – a welcome sign for many hoping to preserve some traditions of summer amid a pandemic.
Locally, Kohler Andrae State Park has 137 campsites that are often hard to reserve in a normal year, and Harrington Beach State Park at Belgium has 69 campsites available.
Parks were closed entirely from April 10th until May 1st due to heavy use and vandalism amid a spreading coronavirus pandemic and, even after reopening, campgrounds remained under indefinite closure. Now, after modifications to address safety of staff and visitors, the state will open most of those campgrounds – with changes. Those changes include automatic touchless check-in and signage to educate visitors on responsible recreation. Park offices will remain closed, but same-day reservations can be made online or by phone, and check-in won’t be required. However, property staff will be visiting sites to monitor occupancy.
Visitors and campers are being reminded that capacity limits due to the pandemic are still in place, meaning that some new visitors may need to wait for existing visitors to leave before they’re allowed in. Annual Admission Stickers are still required and only available online or by phone.
Get more information at: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/camping/
