News Release

Blue Ridge Parkway officials announce early closure of Virginia campground

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News Release Date: August 16, 2023
Contact: BLRI Public Affairs

(Lynchburg, VA) – Due to staffing limitations, Otter Creek Campground, located at milepost 60.9, will suspend operations for the season on August 24, 2023. 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, 2023.

“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.”

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the largest designed landscapes in the country, providing visitors with a wide variety of opportunities to experience southern Appalachian nature, history, and culture. The park’s drive-a-while, stop-a-while design enhances the experience; and whether at milepost 0 or 469, driving the scenic route, or camping, Parkway officials remind visitors to have a plan and recreate responsibly. More details about campground locations and reservations are available recreation.gov or nps.gov/blri; and a complete listing of facility operating schedules is also available on the Parkway’s website. 

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