This Land, Your Land

The state Division of Parks and Recreation says the Internet- and call center-based reservations system it implemented last spring and quickly had problems with is ready for 2010.

A news release says more than 1,300 reservations have already been made for 2010 for campsites, picnic shelters and other facilities in North Carolina state parks.

The release says the reservations system will eliminate New Years Day lines at such popular state recreation areas at Kerr, Jordan and Falls lakes, where campers rush to reserve their favorite sites for the year ahead.

The automated system, accessed through individual state parks' pages at the state site, allows reservations to be made up to 11 months in advance at any park. It also has a call center at 877-722-6762 (877-7-CAMP NC) available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. There is a $3 surcharge per night's stay or per reservation.

The reservation system debuted in April and by July the parks system had suspended its use at Jordan, Kerr and Falls lakes, home of the system's most popular campgrounds.

Many parks set aside some campsites for walk-in registration and, regardless, unoccupied campsites and picnic shelters are available on a first come, first served basis if they're not already reserved.