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Pilot Implementation - Old Rag Day Use Visitor Ticketing System
Shenandoah National Park » Pilot Implementation - Old Rag Day Use Visitor Ticketing System » Document List
Shenandoah National Park is seeking feedback on the data collected during the Old Rag pilot program. The park implemented a pilot ticketing system from March through November 2022 to manage visitation at Old Rag, one of the park's most popular hiking opportunities. The popularity of Old Rag has led to crowding, so the pilot ticketing system was introduced to improve the visitor experience, increase visitor safety, and protect fragile natural resources. Tickets were reserved through Recreation.gov and limited the number of Old Rag hikers to 800 people per day.
Before starting the pilot, a 2020 Old Rag Visitor Use Study was prepared from data collected in Fall 2019. In August 2021, the park gathered public comments and held online presentations about the proposed pilot. During the pilot, park staff gathered data, which was analyzed and compiled into the Old Rag Visitor Use Monitoring Pilot Program: 2022 Annual Report. We request your feedback on the contents of this report and feedback from your experience using the Old Rag pilot ticketing system.
To learn more about the data gathered and compiled into this report, there will be a virtual public presentation on Monday, April 17th starting at 7:00pm. A link to the meeting will be posted here and can be found by clicking on "Meeting Notices" in the menu to the left. The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session. No comments or input will be officially accepted at this meeting. We request your feedback in writing on this website or mailed to the Superintendent. The 2022 Annual Report is available to review by clicking on "Document List" in the menu to the left. The 2020 Old Rag Mountain Visitor Use Study, which the data collection method of the pilot program was modeled after, is also available in the "Document List."
You are invited to provide feedback on the 2022 Annual Report electronically by clicking on "Open for Comment" on the menu to the left and leaving comments on this website or sending comments by regular mail. The public comment period opens April 17th and closes on May 17th. PEPC experienced unplanned outages this month, so to allow for 30 days of open comment, the end date will be extended to May 19th.
Chief of Natural and Cultural Resources
540-999-3500 x3491
Before starting the pilot, a 2020 Old Rag Visitor Use Study was prepared from data collected in Fall 2019. In August 2021, the park gathered public comments and held online presentations about the proposed pilot. During the pilot, park staff gathered data, which was analyzed and compiled into the Old Rag Visitor Use Monitoring Pilot Program: 2022 Annual Report. We request your feedback on the contents of this report and feedback from your experience using the Old Rag pilot ticketing system.
To learn more about the data gathered and compiled into this report, there will be a virtual public presentation on Monday, April 17th starting at 7:00pm. A link to the meeting will be posted here and can be found by clicking on "Meeting Notices" in the menu to the left. The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session. No comments or input will be officially accepted at this meeting. We request your feedback in writing on this website or mailed to the Superintendent. The 2022 Annual Report is available to review by clicking on "Document List" in the menu to the left. The 2020 Old Rag Mountain Visitor Use Study, which the data collection method of the pilot program was modeled after, is also available in the "Document List."
You are invited to provide feedback on the 2022 Annual Report electronically by clicking on "Open for Comment" on the menu to the left and leaving comments on this website or sending comments by regular mail. The public comment period opens April 17th and closes on May 17th. PEPC experienced unplanned outages this month, so to allow for 30 days of open comment, the end date will be extended to May 19th.
Contact Information
Jim SchaberlChief of Natural and Cultural Resources
540-999-3500 x3491