Good evening and thanks for joining us, I'm Nicole Winters, Dion has the night off.The holiday weekend kicked off yesterday for many with Independence Day falling on Saturday.Those camping this weekend have probably had it planned for much longer.News 12's Erick Lind tells us for anyone still looking to sleep out under the stars, there is still hope.Gene Grover, and his wife Sarah, along with their kids Rachel and Dann, enjoy camping.The family from Maple Grove goes around 6 times a year.They were going to get a cabin, but decided a camper would be better.Gene Grover says, "Good family time, different than normal everyday tough stuff. Get out here and just have to deal with what's around you."The family normally camps at Flandrau State Park in New Ulm.This year they waited to reserve and couldn't get in to their usual destination.They weren't out of luck however, because Minneopa State Park still has room to fill.Gene adds, "We figured there is typically some place open you can come in if you get in early on a weekday before a weekend, sometimes there are non-reserveable spots available so you can come in and use those."The Grovers found Minneopa, but there's many campers that haven't yet.Park officials say the lack of a lake hurts, but there is still plenty of activities for visitors, and plenty of space.Minneopa Park Ranger Steve Rose says, "We have about 4 and a half miles of hiking trails, and all have been recently maintained and groomed. We do have a geocaching event that is an ongoing project and program."Rose also says the new state law allowing campers to fish without a permit is an option.Around half the sites at Minneopa were filled as of this morning.They may be some of the only ones left in the state.Back at the site, the Grovers are getting settled and thinking about there good fortune about finding a campsite, and maybe going for a bike ride.And, they still plan on hitting up their favorite spots in New Ulm.Rachel says, "It's better because being at home there's more options here. Like we usually go to the root beer factory in New Ulm, and I like that place."Along with making new memories in Mankato.In Mankato, Erick Lind, News 12.