Recreationists in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area: a survey of user characteristics, behaviors, and attitudes

Abstract

The U.S. Forest Service has begun a comprehensive recreation research effort designed to understand visitor use patterns, satisfaction levels, and economic expenditures of forest recreationists. This study examines four categories of variables (socio-demographic, recreation experience, economic expenditure, and customer satisfaction) across a set of five independent variables (type of site, stratum, survey period, state, and season) for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The greatest differences were noted for the socio-demographic variables, place attachment variables, and motivations for visiting. Fewer differences were noted across the satisfaction, management preference, and economic expenditure variables.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 2001 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium

Citation

Burns, Robert C.; Graefe, Alan R. 2002. Recreationists in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area: a survey of user characteristics, behaviors, and attitudes. In: Todd, Sharon, comp., ed. 2002. Proceedings of the 2001 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-289. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 138-143.