State campground reservations up 37% this season in Northeastern Pennsylvania likely because of the closure of federal destinations.
My recent prediction is already here.
I recently said that the shutting down of federal camping destinations is going to put pressure on state resources.
Donald Trump & Elon Musk are shutting down our campgrounds while they vacation anywhere. chloe / tumblr Apr 6th, 2025 But the closure of national land camping options are going to push those people into already crowded state parks and forests campsites.
I want to reiterate that this is a disability justice issue because many of us go to parks to enjoy recreation while avoiding crowds and seeking out tranquility and nature for various health reasons.
Reservations are up at Pa. campgrounds, state promotes increase in the face of federal cuts WVIA | By Kat Bolus | WVIA News Published April 9, 2025 at 10:55 AM EDT Overall, reservations are up 29.6% in Region 1, which encompasses the PA Wilds, including Tioga County, according to DCNR. Reservations are up 37% in Region 4, which includes most of Northeast Pennsylvania and the Poconos. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers closed its Raystown Lake Campground and canceled and refunded campground reservations because of staff shortages caused by recent federal job cuts and hiring freezes, WPSU reported. The Army Corps of Engineers also manages the Tompkins Campground at Cowanesque Lake in Tioga County. They also are not able to staff the campground for the season, and it is closed. Hills Creek State Park is about 23 miles from the lake.
I watched a video interview with a retired forest worker who works at essentially a museum fire lookout, and he is asked what's changed since 50 years ago, and he talks about the overcrowding at campgrounds and forests, and the damage it was doing before they better managed crowds at parks.
