Use patterns and visitor characteristics, attitudes, and preferences in nine wilderness and other roadless areas

Abstract

Presents a summary and analysis of data from a survey of visitors to eight wildernesses and related areas in the Montana and Idaho Rockies and to one wilderness in the California Sierra Nevadas. Basic data on use patterns, including types of groups, activities, travel behavior, visitor characteristics, motives for visits, satisfaction with conditions experienced, and preferences for management actions are described and compared among areas, between day-users and campers, horsemen and hikers, and summer and fall visitors. Management implications are discussed.

Keywords

wilderness, recreation, visitor characteristics, attitudes, use distributions, survey research, carrying capacity, California, Idaho, Montana

Citation

Lucas, Robert C. 1980. Use patterns and visitor characteristics, attitudes, and preferences in nine wilderness and other roadless areas. Res. Pap. INT-RP-253. Ogden, UT: Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 89 p.