State campgrounds in the region are almost filled to capacity for the long weekend.

Kevin A. Kieff, regional director of the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, said it’s “going to be very difficult” to get a campsite for the Memorial Day weekend now.

Every one of the 20 Thousand Islands state parks with campsites will have “no occupancy” signs up by today at the latest, he said.

Mr. Kieff had said that campsites have been filling up early this year, especially in the Thousand Islands region, thanks in part to the mild winter and high gas prices. When the economy is struggling and gas prices are up, people tend to vacation closer to home and plan more “affordable getaways” such as camping at state parks, he said.

Statewide, the campsite occupancy rate for the weekend reached 89 percent, he said Friday, with 5 to 10 percent of that based on the good weather we’ve been enjoying.

The occupancy rate for Thousand Islands state camps was at 81 percent a couple of days ago — a strong performance compared with the end-of-weekend rate of 82 percent last year.

Some island campsites accessible only by boat may still have a few spots left for the holiday weekend, but the only way to find out is to call individual parks.

Also, because electric and waterfront campsites go first, Fourth of July weekend campers should plan ahead and make their reservations as soon as possible if they want a good spot, Mr. Kieff said.

Campsite reservations may be made through ReserveAmerica at 1 (800) 456-2267 or online.

ON THE NET

ReserveAmerica: www.reserveamerica.com

New York State Parks: www.nysparks.com/parks

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