With gas prices predicted to increase this summer, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) urges families to consider camping in an Ohio State Park for a low-cost, activity-filled vacation alternative.

Ohio State Parks is a statewide partner in the new Ohio Kids Card for families with children under age six. Cardholders can receive a 10 percent discount on all camping or camping options fees at any Ohio State Park campground Monday through Thursday night. Applications for the card are available at public libraries and through the state's Help Me Grow Helpline (1-800-755-GROW).

Ohio State Parks offer more than 9,000 family campsites in 57 parks. Amenities include hot showers and laundry rooms, fully stocked camp commissaries and campers' beaches to secluded non-electric sites. Many parks offer additional things for campers to do, including bike or boat rentals, miniature golf, basketball and volleyball courts, and playgrounds.

Tucked away in the hills of remote Noble County in southeastern Ohio, the campground at Wolf Run State Park is one of the park system's "undiscovered gems." Sixty-nine of the park's 138 family campsites were electrified this year, offering another reason for vacationers to visit and explore the park's 220-acre lake and surrounding forest.

Salt Fork State Park with lodge, golf course, boating, camping and other amenities is a short drive north of Wolf Run in Guernsey County, as is Seneca Lake. Blue Rock State Park in Muskingum County, one of the most scenic parks in the state, is a few miles to the west. The Wilds, North America's largest wildlife conservation facility, is just 15 miles west of Wolf Run. A memorial to the U.S. Shenandoah, a U.S. Navy dirigible that crashed in the area in 1925, is located southwest of the park.

Another "undiscovered gem" among Ohio State Parks is the campground at John Bryan State Park in Greene County in southwestern Ohio. Ten of the park's 90 family campsites were electrified in the last year. Situated adjacent to the Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve and overlooking the Little Miami River, John Bryan State Park is a peaceful woodland hideaway close to major metropolitan areas and major interstate highways. The most popular hiking trail in the park runs along the historic Little Miami River Gorge where rock climbing and repelling are allowed with a permit from the park office.

The Village of Clifton and popular Clifton Mill are within walking distance, as is the university town of Yellow Springs with its many shops and restaurants. The Miami Valley's most popular attractions, including the U.S. Air Force Museum, Blue Jacket Outdoor Drama, Young's Jersey Dairy and Spring Valley Wildlife Area are a short drive away.

In northeastern Ohio, the 234-site campground at Mosquito Lake State Park in Trumbull County will have 40 electrified campsites this year, as well as a new shower house. Most campsites are situated in a mature forest while others provide lakeshore access and vistas. There is a boat launching area and shoreline tie-ups for campers. Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area is adjacent to the park and Grand River Wildlife Area is just to the west.

Pymatuning State Park in Ashtabula County, Punderson State Park in Geauga County and West Branch State Park in Portage County are less than an hour's drive away from Mosquito Lake, as is the Six-Flags Amusement Park.

For families seeking a step up from tent or RV camping, two new premium island yurts on the Kelleys Island waterfront offer another camping option. A yurt is a cross between a tent and a cottage with a wooden floor and weatherproof canvas sides. Each island yurt sleeps six adults and is equipped with an efficiency kitchen, bath with shower and furnished living/dining area.

The state park campgrounds on Kelleys Island and South Bass Island are part of Lake Erie Islands State Park network and are among the newest camping facilities offered by Ohio State Parks. Kelleys Island campground sports 129 campsites - 84 with electricity. South Bass Island's campground has 135 campsites - 10 with electricity, water and sewer hook-ups.

Attractions such as Marblehead Lighthouse, Cedar Point and state nature preserves at Sheldon Marsh, Old Woman Creek, Erie Sand Barrens and DuPont Marsh are just a short drive away, as are the North Shore's many fine restaurants, wineries and night spots.

Two standard yurts arrived at the Harrison Lake State Park campground in Fulton County for the first time this spring. Each has a dome skylight, ceiling fan, futon beds, a cooler and gas grill. Renters must use bathroom facilities provided in the campground. The 199-site campground is one of the most popular in northwest Ohio with 144 electric sites, flush toilets, showers and a dump station.

Nearby are Sauder Museum and Farm with its home-cooking-style restaurant craft village. Goll Woods State Nature Preserve, a remnant of the Great Black Swamp that once covered northwestern Ohio, is also close by. Maumee Bay State Park with its premium resort lodge, campground, golf course and other amenities is about an hour's drive to the east.

Indian Lake State Park, located in Logan County in west central Ohio, converted 13 of its 443 campsites to full service this spring. Indian Lake is part of the state's historic canal system and was a popular resort area at the turn of the century. Zane Caverns and Ohio Caverns are close by, as are the Piatt Castles. Lake Loramie State Park and Grand Lake St. Marys State Park are within an hour's drive. Northeast of Indian Lake are Kildeer Plains and Big Island wildlife areas.

Two standard yurts are a feature of the 214-site campground at Delaware State Park in Delaware County. And Mt. Gilead State Park in Morrow County added two deluxe camper cabins to its secluded 60-site campground two years ago. The camper cabins are furnished with basic cooking facilities and a microwave. Cabin occupants use group shower and bathroom facilities provided in the campground. Each of these central Ohio parks is within an hour's drive of Columbus. Mansfield is a short drive northeast of Mt. Gilead State Park; Marion lies just to the west.

The Columbus Zoo and Wyandot Lake Amusement Park are a short drive south of Delaware State Park. Alum Creek State Park with extensive boating, fishing, camping and hiking facilities is less than a half hour away.

Paint Creek State Park in Highland County in southwestern Ohio added two deluxe camper cabins this year. East Fork State Park in Clermont County now has two cedar cabins. The cedar cabins are more spacious than camper cabins, with sleeping accommodations for eight people. Each is fully air-conditioned with complete kitchen and bathroom facilities.

Reservations and a deposit are required for yurts, camper cabins, cedar cabins and other Camping Options facilities in Ohio State Parks. Fees vary from park to park and may change with the seasons. Regular campsites are available on a first come, first served basis. Call 1-800-BUCKEYE or (614) 265-7000 to request camping brochures.