The Indiana Department of Natural resources says attendance and revenue for state parks and reservoirs is tapering off amid this summer's extreme heat and drought but both measures are still ahead of last year's pace.
Spokesman Phil Bloom tells The Journal Gazette that revenue from camping, entrance and rental fees had totaled $13.8 million through mid-July. That's about 8 percent higher than revenues through the same period last year.
Bloom says gate attendance has declined over the last few weeks but is still 13 percent higher than last year. He says mild weather during March boosted state park attendance early in the year.
The drought has lead the DNR to close four beaches but Bloom says 10 state beaches remain open and 11 state parks have pools.
