I happened to be in DeSoto National Forest last weekend testing a product in the field. After I had finished my work (any time I can be in the woods, it is never work!) , I decided to drive by Big Biloxi Campground, which is near Biloxi, Mississippi.

I was amazed to see that at least 50% of the campsites were empty! It is one of the nicest campsites around and it was just before the holiday.

Have any of you been out in the field over the last couple of the weeks in the National Forests? If so, were there people in the campsites?

Just curious!

We were out cruisin some of the less popular FS campgrounds in the Lassen National Forest yesterday and was surprised to see them mostly empty. Years ago they would all be full of family campers. We discussed the "why" and guessed that it was because it was Wednesday, the economy, and we also think there are fewer people enjoying the pastime.

I spent a week camping at NPS Lassen campground at Butte Lake, beginning the weekend after July 4. I heard from the Park folks that they had a very successful holiday, and that attendance is up at just about all the campgrounds. At the same time budget cuts mean there are less services and Park employees. I stopped by the Forest Service's location at Old Station during that week and found it closed. It looked like it was permanently closed although I heard that with only one part time employee, it is open only sporadically.