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Shenandoah deputy superintendent outlines visitor numbers, wildfire coordination and concession changes
Summary
Kristen Gibbs, newly appointed deputy superintendent at Shenandoah National Park, told the Albemarle Board that visitation is steady, the park is coordinating wildfire response with the new U.S. Wildland Fire Service, and a new concessionaire (Explore US) will take over visitor services and offer employee transfer opportunities.
Kristen Gibbs, deputy superintendent of Shenandoah National Park, briefed the Albemarle Board Aug. 5 on park operations and local partnerships.
Gibbs, who said she returned to Shenandoah after two decades in the park service, reported that visitation has been roughly steady in recent years, with some weekends exceeding expectations. She said the Department of the Interior’s consolidation of wildland firefighting into a new United States Wildland Fire Service has not changed day‑to‑day operations at Shenandoah: “For this year, things are business as usual,” she said, while noting the park is coordinating with counties and a newly hired park fire marshal, Andrew Addie, to increase mutual‑aid planning.
Gibbs also said the park awarded its concession contract to Explore US (which will replace Delaware North at the end of December). She said Explore US is offering existing employees an opportunity to transition and is planning investments in lodge and campground facilities that could increase local contracting and jobs. The park is also testing automated entry gates at Skyline Drive to speed safe closures and reopenings during hazardous weather.
Supervisors pressed Gibbs on staffing and cooperation with local tourism partners; Gibbs encouraged connection with the Shenandoah National Park Trust in Charlottesville and said the park will coordinate October visitor messaging to reduce peak congestion. Gibbs said permanent staffing levels are down and the park continues hiring for several permanent roles while seasonal staffing remains sufficient for peak months.
