The influence of wilderness restoration programs on visitor experience and visitor opinions of managers

Abstract

Wilderness campsites heavily damaged by recreational use pose a significant management challenge that threatens the integrity of the wilderness resource and the quality of the visitors’ experience. This study, conducted in the Mission Mountains Wilderness of northwestern Montana, surveyed 293 visitors to determine what influence heavily damaged campsites and site restoration activities have on the quality of the visitors’ experience, and to assess visitor opinions of the managers who implement or do not implement restoration. Visitors noticed campsite damage that reduced the quality of their experience as well as their opinions of managers. However, the quality of the visitors’ experience and their opinions of managers improved significantly after they observed restoration activities.

Parent Publication

• Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 5: Wilderness ecosystems, threats, and management; 1999 May 23-27; Missoula, MT

Citation

Flood, Joseph P.; McAvoy, Leo H. 2000. The influence of wilderness restoration programs on visitor experience and visitor opinions of managers. In: Cole, David N.; McCool, Stephen F.; Borrie, William T.; O’Loughlin, Jennifer, comps. 2000. Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 5: Wilderness ecosystems, threats, and management; 1999 May 23–27; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-15-VOL-5. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 193-198