Thursday, June 28th marks the date of the fourth annual Great American Backyard Campout, an event created by the National Wildlife Federation to help encourage people to explore the outdoors, starting with their backyard.

If you’ve never tried camping before, then this is the perfect time to give it a try. You don’t even have to leave the confines of your own yard. Heck, even if you don’t have a tent, you could borrow one from a friend or just head outside and truly sleep under the stars. After all, if things go south and it starts raining, then you can head inside.

This can be a great way to get your kids outside of the house and away from their computers and video games.

If you’d like to join in the fun, you can simply pitch a tent out in the backyard or if you’d like to be more official, you can viit the NWF’s official website and join the over 22,000 people who’ve already registered to camp out in the backyard on June 28th. Their site also has has a whole bunch of activities, camping tips, recipes, games, songs, and more.

Here’s something kind of nice happening in Missouri. Missouri governor Matt Blunt has instructed the DNR to waive camping fees for families displaced by flooding. If you live in an area that has been declared a disaster county in 2008 then you can go camping at state parks for free for the next 15 days. Campers can get basic and electric charge on a first come first serve basis.

The one thing you do need to bring is your own camping equipment, but I think this is a great way to allow people to get away from flood ravaged areas and to enjoy themselves for a little while.

So if you’re living in a disaster county in Missouri and you want to get away for a few days, then you can go camping in a Missouri state park for free.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has closed some state parks because of flooding, including one of the state’s most popular, Devil’s Lake, which is typically booked solid this time of year.

Devil’s Lake State Park near Baraboo, Wisconsin will remain closed until at least Thursday, June 18. Officials will reassess the situation at the park Wednesday night. Officials state the park is closed to all use, including campers, day users, boaters, walkers, and driving sightseers. Some campsites have been washed out, railroad tracks have been washed out, high water is making some roads impassable, and sewer and water utilities are down in some areas. Campers who had reservations are asked to call the Wisconsin State Parks Reservation system at 888.947.2757 to change their reservations or request a refund.

Parfrey’s Glen at the Devil’s Lake State Park area is also closed with no reopening date released yet. Repairs will need to be made before it can be reopened.

Wildcat Mountain State Park in western Wisconsin is also closed, until at least June 29 because the entrance road to the park, Highway 33, has washed away making the park inaccessible. The park can be contacted at 608.337.4775. To change reservations or request a refund call 888.947.2757.

Rocky Arbor State Park in Wisconsin is also closed to all but limited Friday and Saturday night camping in June. But it’s not because of the flooding although trees in the campground were knocked down by the storms. It’s due to gypsy moth problems. The park is expecting to be back to being fully operational by the beginning of July.

Some other state parks in Wisconsin have experienced flooding of some areas but are still open for camping and day use, at least in most of the park. Parks reporting flooded and closed campsites or trails include:

Governor Dodge State Park - the horse trails, bike trails, and horse campground are closed

Kettle Moraine State Forest at Mauthe Lake & Long Lake - some campsites are flooded but all campers with reservations will be accommodated. The Tamarack Circle Trail, Horse Trails, and Mountain Bike Trails are closed. The Mauthe Lake to Long Lake Bike Trail has flooding and washouts and use is not recommended.

Kohler-Andrae State Park - Group campsites A & B along with sites 42-47 are closed due to flooding.

“400″ State Trail - closed due to flooding and storm damage

Elroy-Sparta State Trail - closed, likely for at least 2 weeks. The storms have caused several mudslides.

Military Ridge State Trail - 4 sections of the trail are closed

Lake Kegonsa - beach, marsh boardwalk, and lakeshore trail closed

Harrington Beach State Park Trails - most are closed but the shuttle bus road is open for walking as well as the Quarry and Bobolink trails.

Badger State Trail - bridge in Monroe at 8th street is closed until repairs are made.

Wyalusing State Park - the Sand Cave, Flint Ledge, Old Wagon Road, Walnut Springs, and Indian trails as well as Homestead Hill Road have been closed since July 2007 when heavy rains caused extensive damage. The trails remain closed with no reopening dates announced yet.

Black River State Forest ATV Trail - closed north of the Hwy 54 parking lot and continuing north to the Clay School Road parking lot (10.9 mile section). A 3 mile spur heading east toward Crawford Hills is also closed.

Anyone planning to visit a state park or use a state trail in the southern part of Wisconsin is encouraged to call ahead for current conditions. Click here for a map of Wisconsin State Parks. Click on the desired park name for contact information.

For road closure and detour information in Wisconsin, click here to go to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Travel Alert website.

To find the current conditions at Wisconsin State Parks and Recreation areas, go to the DNR park conditions website and click on the desired park/recreation area.