Three popular campgrounds at Pennsylvania’s Raystown Lake were announced for partial closures in March by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, primarily because of staffing shortages linked to a federal hiring freeze. Budget constraints also played a role, according to local officials.
According to information released online, the affected properties include Seven Points, Nancy’s Boat-to-Shore and Susquehannock, part of a broader move that impacted over 30 federal recreation sites in six states. A statement by Douglas Garman, spokesman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, noted, “Decisions to make operational changes at recreation areas are not made lightly, and we understand those decisions can be disruptive to the public’s travel plans.”
Local officials in Huntingdon County say the partial closures have already caused uncertainty among travelers as the prime season approaches. They also note that certain roles viewed as vital to public safety remain vacant under current federal guidelines.
The Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau has sought an exemption from hiring restrictions for ranger positions. “A public safety employee should have been able to be hired all along,” Price said. “And park rangers are exactly that. I mean, three quarters of that job description is public safety related.” His comments appeared in an opinion piece promoting safety priorities.
Officials from the Corps say their capacity to hire seasonal maintenance and ranger workers remains limited as a result of continuing budget pressures and the hiring freeze established by President Donald Trump’s second-term administration. They indicate that no immediate changes to the policy have been confirmed.
A separate report on federal spending suggested closures at various lakes nationwide, with some visitor centers also reducing hours of operation.
Pennsylvania state parks have reported an increase in reservations, which coincided with the federal closures at Raystown. Local tourism offices note that travelers have begun searching for alternative accommodations where services remain fully available.
Representatives of the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau continue to press the point that positions directly linked to visitor well-being should be classified under public safety. They say this action would ensure that ranger duties come with an exemption to hiring restrictions.
However, there has been no official announcement indicating a revised stance on temporary staff for Raystown Lake. Local leaders emphasize that an exemption for rangers would minimize disruptions, rather than relying solely on reduced operations to cope with labor gaps.
While partial closures remain in place, officials note that not all outdoor areas are affected, and day-use activities are still offered in certain sections. Notices from the Corps encourage travelers to check official channels for up-to-date information on hours and site availability.
The long-term outcome at Raystown Lake remains uncertain. Local figures who favor fully restored services believe that resolving constraints on hiring is essential for maintaining public safety and ensuring a stable visitor experience.
Contingency staffing and operational continuity can help businesses stay open even when factors like hiring freezes cause sudden staff shortages. Best practices include cross-training employees to handle multiple roles, forming partnerships with community training programs, offering flexible schedules, creating tiered service levels that prioritize safety when resources are tight, and setting aside emergency labor budgets.
Digital guest engagement and overflow management also strengthen resilience during unexpected closures. Real-time reservation systems, prompt notifications, and user-friendly check-ins allow outdoor hospitality operators to shift guests to available sites and maintain service levels when neighboring facilities face reductions.