Managing outdoor recreation in California: visitor contact studies

Abstract

Findings from 30 outdoor recreation visitor contact studies that wereconducted in California between 1989 and 1998 are summarized. Analyses focuson recreationist profiles, patterns of participation, beliefs and opinions,communication patterns, and depreciative behaviors. Although the “typical”respondent to the survey sites was white, there were many sites where significantnumbers of racial and ethnic minorities were recreating. Visitors chose the areasbecause the mountains and deserts are important to them. Some sites hadmoderately sized visitor groups; others had large groups, though the sites theywere visiting did not necessarily have the facilities and amenities needed to servethem. Management guidelines and future research needs for outdoor recreationare highlighted

Citation

Chavez, Deborah J. 2001. Managing outdoor recreation in California: visitor contact studies. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-180. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture; 100 p.