Hurricane Rita cleanup curtails camping

LUFKIN — Traditional campsites offered in East Texas are limited this summer with recreational areas of the Angelina National Forest, portions of Martin Dies Jr. State Park and Village Creek State Park still closed for hurricane cleanup.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offers camping at six of its parks around Sam Rayburn Reservoir.

While Hurricane Rita repairs and cleanup are ongoing, the bulk of the work is behind them, said parks manager David LaRue. Tree and removal alone cost the Corps $226,500, while the cost of labor and repair to facilities is undetermined, he said.

Mother Nature's unexpected bill came the same year the Sam Rayburn district was coping with a $300,000 shortfall.

Because of past budget cuts, the Corps has or is in the process of leasing out management of Powell and Jackson Hill parks to private marinas similar to Twin Dikes and Shirley Creek marinas. Etoile Park's campsites are closed, but the boat ramp is open.

All Corps-operated boat ramps are open, with a $3 per day fee, LaRue said. People can buy an annual $30 pass that is honored at Corps parks nationwide.

Campers traveling with RVs should request 50-amp electric sites as the outdated 30-amps aren't enough to keep air-conditioning running in the mobile campers, LaRue said.

Would-be campers may reserve some spots in advance by calling (877) 444-6777 or going to www.reserveusa.com, LaRue said.

Camping facilities at Corps-operated parks at Sam Rayburn are available at:

— Ebenezer Park — The only equestrian park on Sam Rayburn Reservoir is on the lake's south side. Here, LaRue said, equestrian campers receive priority for the water and electric sites on a first-come, first-served basis. Because this park has no showers, its camp sites are slightly cheaper than other parks, at $15 for 50-amp sites, $13 for 30-amp sites, and $9 for any of the 20 basic sites that don't offer water or electricity.

— Twin Dikes Park — Near the dam, the park's 43 camping sites include the only sewer connection sites. The six sites offering electric, water and sewer hookups are $18 a day and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Of the 10 water- and electric-only sites, two 50-amp sites, $18, are able to be reserved, and two 50-amp sites are first-come, first-served; the six 30-amp sites, $16, are able to be reserved. Eight of the 25 basic sites, $12, are first-come, first-served. And three additional sites that offer RV hookup plus a screened shelter can be reserved for $30 a day.

— Mill Creek Park — These 110 camp sites all offer water and electricity, 50-amp sites at $18 per day and 30-amp sites at $16 per day. Sites 1 through 46 are available on a first-come, first-served basis. As funds are available, the Corps will continue overhauling the remaining sites.

— San Augustine Park — Not yet updated, the 94 sites that offer water and electricity at this park provide only 30 amps. Those sites on the lake side are $18 per day, and those across the street are $16 per day. Another six sites are tent-camping only because of the slope; two of these are able to be reserved.

— Rayburn Park — Only 45 of the 79 sites at this park are open because of budget cuts in 2005. Of the sites open, 24 offer water and electricity, $18 for 50 amps and $16 for 30 amps; two-thirds are able to be reserved. Basic sites are $11.

— Hank's Creek Park — Construction is ongoing here as the Corps improves the park, adding 17 camp sites to the existing 44 water and electric sites, a day-use area with a swimming beach, playgrounds, picnic sites and volleyball and soccer areas, LaRue said. Sites 1 through 31 are open, of which all but five are able to be reserved — $18 per day for 50-amp sites, $16 per day for 30-amp sites.