DNR camping reminders for Memorial Day weekend

DNR campgrounds and cabins are virtually booked to capacity and ready for Memorial Day weekend but before you head out the door, a few tips are in order.

Don't miss out on a July 4 camping weekend. Cabins and campsites are still available, but will go quickly. Visit www.camp.IN.gov or call 1-866-6CAMPIN (1-866-622-6746) to reserve your favorite cabin, shelter or campsite.

Many new features are ready to enhance your experience no matter when you visit. See http://www.IN.gov/dnr/healthy/ for more information. You also can find information about the Hoosier Quest program and a wide variety of other nature, history and recreation activities at www.interpretiveservices.in.gov.

Remember to check your firewood source before attempting to take it through the property gate because of infestations of the emerald ash borer (EAB) insect.

Those who live in or plan to visit Lawrence, Orange, Brown and Monroe counties should note that all four counties have recently been quarantined for firewood. That means firewood from these four counties, along firewood from other previously quarantined counties, can't be taken into state park, reservoir or state forest properties. The only exceptions are pine firewood, kiln-dried scrap lumber and wood that bears either a federal or state compliance label indicating it was purchased from a vendor whose wood has been inspected.

For more about EAB and DNR firewood policy:
http://www.IN.gov/dnr/parklake/files/sp-EAB_FAQ.pdf.

DNR-led boat tours at Twin Caves at Spring Mill State Park are open to visitors but all other caves on DNR properties are closed through April 2010. The purpose is to slow the uncontrolled spread of white-nosed syndrome (WNS), which is killing bats in record numbers in the eastern United States. While this disease is not a threat to humans, there is evidence that it may be transmitted from cave to cave on the clothing and boots of recreational cavers.

Twin Caves is able to remain open because it is a water cave with controlled boat access only. The WNS fungus settles in soil.

For more information, go to dnr.IN.gov/batdisease.