This book addresses the issue of managing outdoor recreation to protect park resources and the quality of the visitor experience. The book is organized into three parts. Part I comprises five chapters that draw on the scientific and professional literature in parks and outdoor recreation to develop ...

This chapter reviews several conceptual frameworks that can be used to understand the challenges in managing outdoor recreation and to organize thinking about managing outdoor recreation in national parks. Those frameworks include: the dual mission of parks; common property resources; carrying...

This chapter identifies and reviews the potential impacts that outdoor recreation can have on park resources, the quality of the visitor experience, and park facilities and services.

This chapter identifies and discusses a range of management strategies and tactics/practices that can be used to manage outdoor recreation in national parks. For the purposes of this book, management strategies are classified into four basic categories: increasing the supply of recreation...

This chapter reviews and summarizes a number of empirical studies that have begun to evaluate the effectiveness of outdoor recreation management practices. Much of this work has focused on two areas: information/education, and use rationing and allocation. The other four management practices...

This chapter organizes the information presented in previous chapters into a series of matrices that can be used to encourage and guide a systematic and creative programme of outdoor recreation and park management.

On peak summer days, thousands of hikers can be found along the extensive and diverse trail system in Acadia National Park. The collective use by so many visitors can take a toll on trail resources. Some visitors alter and build rock cairns; walk off-trail to avoid rocks, roots, and wet spots; and...

Years of uncontrolled use at a camping area along the Appalachian Trail resulted in widespread damage to soil, trees, and other vegetation; a decimated firewood supply; and visible signs of human waste (Impacts to campsites; Impacts to soil; Impacts to vegetation). The camping area was also crowded ...

Visitor use of Arches National Park has grown dramatically in the past few decades and now exceeds 1 million visits annually. But this use has had several important impacts in the park, including trampling of fragile soils and vegetation (Impacts to soil; Impacts to vegetation) and crowding on...

Visitors to Biscayne National Park have the opportunity to explore globally important, biologically diverse underwater habitats. However, when recreational boaters cross though shallow waters, anchor, or become grounded on seagrass meadows or coral reefs, significant resource damage can occur...