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State parks blaze trails for wireless Internet service - USATODAY.com Page I of 4 State parks blaze trails for wireless Internet service By Gary Stoller, USA TODAY Outdoor enthusiasts may dislike the idea of a laptop in every tent, but the number of state parks with wireless Internet service is growing rapidly. State officials say park users want Wi-Fi, so parks are installing it in campgrounds, lodges and visitors centers. Some states, including Tennessee and Kansas, plan to equip every park with it. "There is a growing need for many of our visitors to be able to stay in touch with friends, family members and co- workers while they are away," says Roy Stearns, a spokesman for California State Parks, which has more parks equipped. with Wi-Fi than any other state. Three years ago, none of California's 278 parks had Wi-Fi. Now 50 are so equipped, including state beaches at Malibu, San Clemente and Half Moon Bay. According to a USA TODAY survey, 28 states have at least one park with wireless Internet service. Officials who were surveyed say that of 3,208 state parks, 194, or 6%, have either free or pay -per -use Wi-Fi. Often it is at a single location, such as a campground or a lodge lobby. CHART: State parks with Wi-Fi access More states are either considering it or about to install it. Minnesota; for example, will introduce free connections at Itasca, north of Park Rapids, in the next month or two. The service will. be tested until the end of the year, and it is being considered at other parks, says Patricia Arndt of the state's Department of Natural Resources. Kentucky and Ohio have the second-highest number of state parks equipped with Wi-Fi. Kentucky first tested Wi- Fi at Rough River State Resort Park in fall 2004. It proved popular with parkgoers, and all 17 of the state's resort parks, which means they have lodges, installed it in 2005. "Vile felt this was a good way to increase occupancy and offer a popular service to our guests," says Gil Lawson, a spokesman for the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet. "The complaints I have heard involve guests who couldn't connect from a particular location at a park, or guests that wanted a faster connection." Two of Vermont's 50 state parks have Wi-Fi, and more parks probably will receive it in the next few years.. "Wi-Fi is pretty unobtrusive, and it potentially allows working adults or students to stay longer in the parks or keep a child entertained on a rainy day," says Vermont State Parks spokeswoman Rochelle Skinner. It also helps people better plan their activities because they have instant access to information on weather and local events, she says. Gly PRINTTHIS Powered by (.7 bi14 Advertisement Reaction among parkgoers is mixed. Lora Simning of Hopkinsville, Ky., says she has visited state parks about 25 times in the past two years and doesn't mind if wireless Internet is http://usatoday.printthis. clickability.com/pticpt?action=cpt&title=State+parks+blaze+trails+for+wirel.ess+In... 5/2/2008