NEW FRANKEN, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Eileen and Kirk Mason have been coming to Bay Shore County Park in New Franken for two years.
“It’s a great way to get out and enjoy. Wisconsin is a beautiful state and it’s a great way to explore the state and really appreciate where we live,” Eileen Mason said.
Last year, the Masons noticed a significant increase in campers at the park.
“Obviously through COVID we weren’t the only ones that had this idea. It was very, very busy,” Eileen Mason said.
They think it’ll stay the same over the course of this summer.
“Nowadays, if you go to buy any kind of camper, a fifth wheel or a travel trailer or a bus, you can’t,” Kirk Mason said.
Over the past few years, the Brown County parks staff says foot traffic has steadily increased at campgrounds.
Over the course of the pandemic, those numbers rose even higher.
They’re expecting those trends to stay the same going into this summer.
“This year we’re seeing maybe even above what we saw last year continuing through. So it’s one of those trends that just kind of jumped up a couple notches over the last year and it’s definitely continuing,” Brown County Parks director Matt Kriese said.
Kriese says it’s a good thing.
“There’s definitely a lot more RV’s that are being purchased and used and a lot more people recreating and enjoying the outdoors so we’re really happy to see that. The problem is is that it’s harder to find a site for those individuals looking last minute to find a site,” Kriese said.
Kriese says Brown County’s sites can be reserved 364 days in advance.
Some of the sites also have first come, first serve options as well.
Currently, Brown County’s other campground at the fairgrounds remains closed, but the county is hoping to have it open early next month.
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