High-Density Recreation Use

Amid increasing recreation use, wilderness managers find themselves struggling to comply with the Wilderness Act's mandate that wilderness provide "outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation." The frequent encounters that occur in a heavy use environment are generally assumed to have a negative effect on the user's opportunity for solitude. In order to provide opportunities for solitude many wilderness managers have instituted use limits. However, questions remain about the effect encounters in the backcountry have on the wilderness experience, and when restrictions on access are justified in order to reduce crowding.

Carrying Capacity, Visitor Management And Science - Papers presented at a special session of the George Wright Society, 2003

Day Use

Much of the continuing increase in wilderness use - especially in Western wildernesses near large urban areas - comes from day users. Because day use tends to be concentrated at scenic areas within a few miles of trailheads, these areas receive exceptionally heavy use. Day-use has often been neglected in research and management planning. A better understanding of day users' desires and expectations is important. Scientific information on the experience desired and the experience achieved by day users and those camping in the backcountry is needed.

For additional details and resources, please visit  Visitor Experiences in Wilderness: Applications to Management of Heavily Used Wildernesses and Day Users

PUBLICATIONS:

Cole, David N.; Watson, Alan E.; Hall, Troy E.; Spildie, David R. 1997. High-use destinations in wilderness: social and biophysical impacts, visitor responses, and management options. Res. Pap. INT-RP-496. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. 30 p.

ABSTRACT:

Six high-use destination areas were studied in the Alpine Lakes, Mount Jefferson, and Three Sisters Wildernesses in Washington and Oregon. Exit interviews were conducted with visitors, and recreation impacts and visitor encounter rates between groups were quantified. Encounter rates were extremely high and impacts were substantial but localized. Visitors were more concerned about high impact levels than high encounter rates. Management implications are explored.

For a summary, click here

To order this publication, use our Order Form and request publication #308.

Freimund, Wayne A.; Cole, David N. 2001. Visitor Use Density and Wilderness Experience: Proceedings: Freimund, Wayne A.; Cole, David N. comps. Visitor Use Density and Wilderness Experience. 2001 June 1-3; Missoula, MT Proc RMRS-P-20, Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 67

ABSTRACT:

The workshop was convened to assess progress and offer further ideas regarding scientific contributions to (1) understanding relationships between visitor use density and wilderness experiences and (2) applying such knowledge to decisions about use limitation in wilderness and parks. The first paper provides an overview of the topic and the papers presented at the workshop. Subsequent papers include reviews of previous research, discussion of issues related to use limitation, exploration of the solitude concept and of visitor conflict, and explications of alternative research methodologies.

Download Leopold Publication # 433

Cole, David N. 2001. Day users in Wilderness: how different are they? Res. Pap. RMRS-RP-31. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 29 p.

ABSTRACT:

This study describes the trip and visitor characteristics, evaluations, and preferences of day users in wilderness, by contrasting them with overnight users. Data from the Three Sisters (OR), Desolation (CA), Bob Marshall (MT), Charles Deam (IN), Caney Creek (AR), Shining Rock (NC), and Cohutta (GA) Wildernesses are presented.
Primary conclusions were that:

1. day users and overnight users are not profoundly different;
2. day users are more tolerant of relatively crowded conditions and less likely to see an immediate need to limit use (at least in places that receive substantial day use);
3. day users are typically as experienced in wilderness travel, and as attached to wilderness and supportive of wilderness protection as overnight users;
4. day users may be as interested in a wilderness experience as overnight users, although there is some evidence to the contrary; and
5. day use of wilderness might be considered less wilderness dependent than overnight use.

Implications related to meeting the needs and desires of day users and the management of wilderness trails and destinations that receive heavy day use are discussed.

Download Leopold Publication # 435

Hot Topics

HOME  |  RESEARCH PROGRAM  |  RESEARCH APPLICATION PROGRAM
ABOUT US  |  STAFF  |  HOT TOPICS  |  PUBLICATIONS  |  PROJECTS
CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS  |  DATABASES & LINKS  |  SITEMAP