Memorial Day weekend is the traditional start of summer — the time for vacations and the all-American roadtrip.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was kind of a lost year for traveling. Now, as the pandemic wanes, people tired of being cooped up by COVID-19 restrictions are ready to hit the road like never before.

Big cities full of attractions and spectacular natural wonders like the Grand Canyon await. But area residents actually don’t have to go far to enjoy tranquillity in the great outdoors.

Webster County is home to two big state parks: Brushy Creek State Recreation Area and Dolliver Memorial State Park.

Brushy Creek State Recreation Area, on the eastern side of the county, features a 690-acre lake for fishing and swimming. It also has three campgrounds, miles of trails and features for people who bring their horses for an equestrian experience.

Dolliver Memorial State Park, near Otho, has multiple campsites, hiking trails and a boat ramp on the Des Moines River.

For a more active experience, there is the Gypsum City Off-Highway Vehicle Park south of Fort Dodge. It is the largest park of its kind in Iowa.

Webster County Conservation has John F. Kennedy Memorial Park north of Fort Dodge, with its campgrounds and Badger Lake. The Conservation Board also owns Camp WaNoKi and a handful of other outdoor attractions.

Additional outdoor settings, like Twin Lakes in Calhoun County, are nearby.

Getting away from it all this summer doesn’t have to involve a long road trip. We encourage everyone to get out and enjoy some of these attractions close to home.