By Shannon Russell
The Cincinnati Enquirer

At least once a summer, most Midwesterners mosey outside, twirl in the sun, inhale the fresh scent of grass and think: "I should get back to nature. I'm going camping!"

The great majority of Tristaters go right back indoors and watch television. However, 9 percent of Ohioans, 6 percent of Kentuckians and 3 percent of Hoosiers pick up that wanderlust, load up their cars or trucks or SUVs and head for wide open spaces.

According to the most recent Outdoor Industry Association Study, Ohioans like their camping. In 2001-02, it was the 13th-ranked state in numbers of campers per capita, while Kentucky came in 34th and Indiana 45th. Give us a tent or a trailer, a can of beans or two and a flashlight, and we're on our way.

With 57 Ohio campgrounds registered with the state department of natural resources (30 in Kentucky and 20 in Indiana), one might wonder why you, reader, aren't camping right now instead of reading this.

Most people's trepidation about camping is rooted in three questions: "How do I get started?" "How much is this gonna cost me?" and "What, exactly, would I do without my video games?"

The good news is that this region offers a brand of camping for nearly anyone.

Whether you're an experienced hiker, a first-timer seeking an adventure or a parent planning a vacation, there's a campsite out there to suit your needs.

A weekend outside can be a fun, relaxing - and often low-cost - alternative to standing in amusement park lines or renting lakefront property. And, let's face it: How often do you have a chance to eat fire-toasted s'mores?

The basics

The most important decision campers face is where they rank on the roughing-it scale (RIS).

WEB SITES

Finding camping gearDo some research before forking over money for camping gear. Purchase tents, coolers, lights, sleeping bags and other equipment based on your camping frequency and need. Check these Web sites for information or bargains: • www.consumerreports.org • www.campmor.com • www.rei.com • www.campers-hikers.com • camping.about.com

We're not talking scary, backwoods, Blair Witch-esque camping in areas so remote even animals shudder. Most campsites have a paved or gravel pad for a car or RV, a grassy area, a picnic table and a fire ring.

If you spurn hair dryers, microwaves, washing machines and other electric conveniences, you'd rank "1" on the RIS and would prefer a nonelectric site. The sites have no electrical hookups and are reasonably cheap (about $9-$18 per night). Think campfires, storytelling and "Kum-bay-a."

People who rank "10" on the RIS might prefer to lounge in Ohio's eight state park resorts (17 in Kentucky and eight in Indiana). These hotel-like getaways can include king-sized beds, fridges, microwaves, sofas and VCRs. Think Holiday Inn in a rustic setting.

Jean Backs, public information section manager for Ohio State Parks, says most folks lie in between. "People have different levels of comfort," Backs said. "When it comes to parks' busiest times - holidays - the things that fill up first are the electric sites."

Electric sites have electrical boxes into which campers can plug heavy-duty extension cords. They're ideal for appliance-filled RVs and pop-up campers, or tent campers who can't bear to part with day-to-day indulgences. Electric sites are around $13-$23 a night.

Full-service sites, which offer electrical, sewer and water hook-ups, are $23-$30 a night.

"We like our electricity," said Diane Goddard of Boone County, who camps biannually on full-service sites. "And our water source. But you get to do things while camping that you might not on other vacations ... There's more time for visiting and sharing memories."

Parks offer a variety of places to stay, which is ideal for first-timers or experimentalists. Depending on the site, campers can rent RVs, yurts, teepees, cottages and cabins.

Most campsites accommodate pets - up to two for a nominal fee per night (usually $1 a pet).

So you've decided on a campsite. Now what are you going to do?

Hiking is a good place to start. State parks have designated trails for nature-watching and exploring.

Most have swimming, boat rentals, basketball courts, volleyball courts and horseshoe pits. Twelve Ohio parks have miniature golf courses. Six have golf courses.

Hueston Woods manager Lonnie Snow said there's something for everyone on the park's 3,100 acres. Besides a resort lodge, a full-service marina and a golf course, Hueston Woods, which is just north of Oxford, is the only state park with a horse arena and horse rental.

Fishing is another big reason campers flock to state parks. Anderson Township resident John Jonas camps with his 17-foot bass fishing boat at East Fork State Park in Bethel six to eight times a year.

Parks are also kid-friendly. East Fork naturalist Angel Casnellie spends the summer teaching wildlife lessons, organizing nature hikes and overseeing free screenings of Disney movies at the park's outdoor amphitheater.

For those who want to take a vacation from cooking, eating can be an activity in itself. Resort lodges offer fine dining, while other parks have full-service restaurants.

Cowan Lake, which has a restaurant, camp commissary and game room, knows exactly how to make your tent feel like home. Staff members will deliver pizza right to your cabin or campsite.

Year-round fun

Most state parks stay open year-round, with limited access in winter. The busiest times are between April and October, but Backs said campers have increased in the fall, a trend officials want to encourage. The changing foliage and warm weather make for some of the best camping days of the year, she said.

Safety is always a concern, and every park maintains a law-enforcement presence. An unspoken camper-to-camper camaraderie offers another kind of reassurance.

"As a rule, campers are pretty friendly," said John McCarty of New Richmond. "Everyone tries to help you out."

A resurgence of tent camping recently has hit many parks, including Cowan Lake, said Tim Carr, acting park manager. Tents' affordability, flexibility and low-hassle set-up have fueled weekend excursions.

"People are looking for shorter vacations," Carr said. "They want to be closer to home. The way the economy is, they're just looking for something less expensive."

So pack up, lock up and get camping! It might be the most exciting - or relaxing - vacation of your life.

And you can even bring your George Foreman grill.

Shauna Scott Rhone contributed to this story. E-mail srussell@enquirer.com; srhone@enquirer.com

Ten places to explore the outdoors