John and Nina Witmer of Manchester took a walk, cooked hot dogs over a campfire and enjoyed watching the wildlife while camping at Gifford Pinchot State Park last week.

For the past three years, the couple have traveled 900 miles to Cochrane, Canada, to visit their son.

But this year, the Witmers' local camping trips might be the extent of their vacation.

"If we don't go, it's because of the gas," 82-year-old Nina Witmer said while sitting near a campfire on a cool Wednesday afternoon.

It's not that the couple couldn't afford the trip to Canada, she said. It's just that they don't feel like paying nearly $4 a gallon.

More people might be likely to vacation closer to home this year as they feel their wallet shrinking from

David Heinbaugh of Carlisle maintains the fire while camping at Gifford Pinchot State Park in Warrington Township. The park system saw an 11 percent increase in reservations being made during the first three months of this year. The rising cost of fuel and food might be keeping vacationers close to home. But some locals are still trekking to the shore. Read their story here. (Daily Record/Sunday News - Kate Penn)
the rising cost of gas and groceries and a sluggish economy.

A national survey co-authored by the Travel Industry Association and Ypartnership showed that 41 percent of Americans would change their travel plans this summer if gas prices continue to rise.

And the majority -- 38 percent -- said they would drive a shorter distance to their destination, according to the survey results.

Other ways vacationers plan to cut back include spending less on souvenirs, shopping, meals and entertainment and spending fewer nights away from home.

State park managers say they expect a brisk business this summer.

The state park system saw an 11 percent increase in reservations being made during the first three months of the year, said Christina Novak, press secretary for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

So far this year, Gifford Pinchot State Park saw a 4 percent drop in reservations made from local residents as well as a 4 percent drop from out-of-state visitors, Novak said.

But Codorus State Park has seen an 11 percent increase in local visitors and an 8 percent decrease from out-of state visitors.

Those numbers, however, do not account for visitors who do not make reservations but just drop in to

David Heinbaugh seasons chicken while camping at Gifford Pinchot State Park. Heinbaugh said state parks are not as expensive as privately owned ones. (Daily Record/Sunday News - Kate Penn)
arrange their stay, she said.

Gifford Pinchot and Codorus state parks were packed for Memorial Day weekend. Overall, the state parks in South Central Pennsylvania area boasted the highest percentage for occupancy for campsites.

The cabins, cottages and camping areas in the region were at least 90 percent full, said Bill Rosevear, manager at Gifford Pinchot State Park in Warrington Township.

Normally, Codorus State Park in southwestern York County is about three-quarters full for the Memorial Day weekend, park manager Warren Werntz said.

"Everything was sold out," he said. "It was like the Fourth of July."

Some campers said they are going to stay locally because of the cost, Werntz said. One couple said that, instead of taking a long trip, they'll be spending time at state parks.

Others have said they will not be able to stay as frequently at the parks as they have in the past, Werntz said.

Keith and Kellie Brandt of Carlisle hung out with their friends David Heinbaugh and Sharon Clark, also of Carlisle, at their camp site at Gifford State Pinchot Park last week.

The Brandts stay there at least once a year, and it might be their only vacation this year, Keith Brandt said.

Heinbaugh said people just have to adjust with the rising costs. The state parks are not as expensive as the privately owned campgrounds, and the money goes back to a good cause.

Some of the state parks have cabins, cottages, yurts and camp sites. A camp site with electricity, for

Sharon Clark and David Heinbaugh, both of Carlisle, talk with their friends, Kellie and Keith Brandt, not pictured, while camping at Gifford Pinchot State Park earlier this week. Keith Brandt said this might be their only vacation this year. (Daily Record/Sunday News - Kate Penn)
example, costs $20.50 a night Sunday through Thursday and $24 a night on Friday and Saturday.

Vacationers can bike, hike, boat and swim, enjoy nature or take advantage of free programs.

Glenn and Deb Wallick of West Manchester Township serve as campground hosts at Gifford Pinchot's campground. They greet campers as they come in, help visitors get where they're going, and check the showerhouse/restrooms.

Glenn Wallick said he thinks people will be staying closer to home because of the gas prices. That's the biggest issue right now.

"If I had the choice between coming here and going to Ocean City, Maryland, I'd come here," he said.

The Witmers have been camping at Gifford Pinchot State Park for at least 30 years. They even go the first weekend the campground opens and help fix up the park.

They also camp at Codorus State Park.

"That'll be probably as far as we go this year," Nina Witmer said.

MAKE PLANS

Want to book a vacation at a state park this summer?

Go to www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks or call (888) PA-PARKS from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.