Wilderness party size regulations: implications for management and a decisionmaking framework

Abstract

Arriving at appropriate limits on the size of groups in wilderness remains a difficult and often controversial management challenge. This paper presents a review of the state of knowledge regarding group size from an ecological impact and visitor experience standpoint, a survey of wilderness managers regarding the current status of group size regulations and a proposed management decisionmaking framework for group size.

Parent Publication

• Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 4: Wilderness visitors, experiences, and visitor management; 1999 May 23-27; Missoula, MT

Citation

Monz, Christopher; Roggenbuck, Joseph W.; Cole, David N.; Brame, Richard; Yoder, Andrew. 2000. Wilderness party size regulations: implications for management and a decisionmaking framework. In: Cole, David N.; McCool, Stephen F.; Borrie, William T.; O’Loughlin, Jennifer, comps. 2000. Wilderness science in a time of change conference—Volume 4: Wilderness visitors, experiences, and visitor management; 1999 May 23–27; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-15-VOL-4. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 265-273