RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota Parks Director Doug Hofer says the state could see a record amount of camping in parks and recreation areas this year.

The Rapid City Journal reports that a prolonged winter set back visitation, but the trend appears to be turning with the weather. Nearly all of the 4,190 campsites at state parks and recreation areas were filled over the Memorial Day weekend.

Hofer says camping reservations for the months ahead are encouraging, as well. He says summer reservations are on pace with last year's record of 270,000 camping units. A camping unit is one campsite filled for one night.

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