Iowa camp grounds are back open for the first time since the COVID-19 hit the Hawkeye State and that is making for a lot of happy campers.
Monte McKenzie tells WOWT 6 News that he got up at 4:00 Friday morning so he could ensure he got a campsite. "Was here by 4:30 waiting for Dave to open the gate."
McKenzie and his wife are familiar with the Arrowhead Campground in Pottawattamie County, but this season they know it’s going to look a bit different. “It was all on Facebook about the 6 foot and we can’t have any company, anyone come to visit.”
Along with social distancing rules, there are a number of other restrictions placed on Iowa campers, including no tent camping and no access to washrooms or showers.
Jeff Franco, operations supervisor of the Pottawattamie County Conservation, says it’s a similar situation at the Hitchcock Campground. “As you can see right here we’ve blocked off access to those roads." Franco notes that some sites are being blocked off to provide a safe amount space between RV’s.
He says they are expecting lots of visitors this weekend. “As soon as the governor of Iowa made that proclamation that RV camping was going to be allowed we started getting calls almost immediate.”
If Friday is any indication, people are accepting the adjustments. “Restrictions don’t bother me any,” said McKenzie. “I’ve got my little space right here and I can stay in it and everyone else can stay out of it and we’ll be just fine.”
Campsites will be limited to ten people per site, to stay in line with social distancing protocols limiting the size of groups.
(Photo courtesy of 6 News)