Camp sites setting attendance records

Prime weather conditions and a struggling economy have helped local state parks see an increase in visitors this year.

The sunny days that prevailed in May and June are mostly credited for the fact that Wayfarers State Park has already had 15,442 visitors, which is about 500 more than it had by this time last year. Conversely, West Shore State Park benefited from the colder months and has had an even bigger influx — about 2,500 — as mid-winter boaters sought out the park as one of the only boat launches that wasn't surrounded by large amounts ice. Also, since the Lake was dropped to low pool this year, which is not always the case, West Shore State Park had one of the only docks that was long enough to still be in the water.

"We're happy to see people using these parks," said Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Regional Parks Manager David Landstrom. "They are a good resource and we like to have people using them."

While there is no way to tell for sure since the Montana State Parks don't have a reservation system, park officials are estimating that those increases will continue to grow this summer as people opt for less expensive vacations and activities.

"I've read that campgrounds across the country are seeing a big rise in numbers," said Linda Howard, FWP public relations manager. "Those campgrounds that do have reservation systems are saying that they are already seeing record numbers for the summer."

The rise in summer park attendance was already evident in May across the state, as well as in the Valley. Attendance was up 16 percent and revenue increased 10 percent state-wide. Locally, the Flathead Valley parks had a 7 percent visitation increase and a 9 percent revenue increase. Fishing accesses saw the greatest rise with a 19 percent increase in visitation, and also had a 5 percent increase in revenue.

"I think it has to do with a combination of the weather, economy and the improvements we have made at the parks," Howard said. "We have made a lot of improvements at all of our parks and we are doing a lot more to get the word out about the state parks."

The state parks in Northwest Montana have seen a fairly steady increase in attendance over the years that has coincided with the rise in population of the region. Landstrom said the area parks' attendance is also affected by the events and conditions at Glacier National Park since many out of area visitors tend to make the Valley parks one of the their stops going to and from Glacier.