DENVER -- The countdown is on until the unofficial start of the summer and campsites at state parks around the metro area are booked.
It's a busy Monday at Chatfield State Park. It's almost summer time and people are out on the kayaks or catching fish. Dozens of tents and RVs sit throughout the campsite.
"We've lived in ours for the last four years," said Barbara Johns.
Johns is traveling, visiting campsites. She's from the metro area. She and her husband will be staying at Chatfield State Park until the weekend. Camping spots are reserved for other people for the holiday weekend.
"You know it's been that way, even up in some of the foothills, they've been pretty full," Johns said.
Camp sites sit empty right now. They'll be all taken by Friday. Colorado Parks and Wildlife said you should reserve a spot six months ahead for the summer holidays. You may have luck if you didn't reserve a spot.
"Right now, I understand there are walk up sites at the Arkansas Headwaters down in the Southeast, at Lathrop State Park and Navajo State Park as well, and I understand there are some reservations by phone at Ridgway State Park," said spokesperson Jennifer Churchill.
The population boom in the Denver area isn't making it easier.
"We're seeing more and more people coming to the state and that's a good thing," said Churchill. "At the same time, we do have a lot of increase pressure on our parks and so there's a lot of demand for access to our parks."
If you want to go camping for the Labor Day Weekend, parks and wildlife says to book now.
It's not just state parks that have camping opportunities. You can check your county's parks department to see if space is available.
