LURAY, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- A pilot program requiring a ticket to hike one of the most popular trails in the region has ended.

The Shenandoah National Park launched the Old Rag pilot program in March and it ended on Tuesday.

The ticketing program aimed to manage visitation to Old Rag in order to improve the visitor experience and protect natural resources in the area.

During the pilot program, tickets were limited to 800 people a day.

Park staff are now working on evaluating data from the program, which will be shared with the public sometime early next year.

SNP says public input and the data will help determine if the ticketing system should be instituted on a permanent basis or if it should be modified.

“We appreciate everyone’s cooperation while we tested a means to ensure a high-quality visitor experience and protect park resources at Old Rag,” said Park Superintendent Patrick Kenney. “The information gathered during the pilot will help inform the decision-making process.”  

During certain times of the year, visitors have reported significant crowding and congestion in the Old Rag area.

The national park conducted a survey last year that found most visitors say limiting the number of users on the trail would improve their experience and safety.

For more information on the pilot program, click here.