One campground along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia is shutting down operations for the season early due to a lack of employees, according to ABC News 13.
Due to staffing limitations, Otter Creek Campground, located at milepost 60.9, will suspend operations for the season on Aug. 24, according to Blue Ridge Parkway Officials.
Reservation holders for Otter Creek Campground will be contacted about refunds and other options for camping at nearby Parkway campgrounds. The Parkway’s remaining seven campgrounds are expected to remain open through October 31, Blue Ridge Parkway officials said.
“To manage campgrounds, recreational areas, visitor centers and destinations that park visitors enjoy during the summer and fall season, the Parkway relies on a dedicated team of year-round and seasonal employees who work across a broad range of jobs,” said Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout. “This year, due a significantly reduced applicant pool, we were able to hire 64% of the planned seasonal employees across the Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia. While we are working to minimize the impacts of these lower staffing levels on our visitors, the Otter Creek closure, at a lower occupancy campground, allows us to shift limited staffing to higher-traffic campgrounds and visitor destinations. We appreciate the public’s understanding and patience with this and other operational adjustments that may be necessary as we navigate the remainder of the 2023 season with a commitment to high-quality services and safe working conditions for our team.”
