Recreation Site Monitoring
Introduction
The Recreation Site Monitoring Toolbox includes examples of monitoring programs, protocols, and references.
Recreation site monitoring and the necessary management of recreation sites help ensure that opportunities for wilderness experiences are preserved while adverse impacts to the biophysical components of the wilderness resource as well as wilderness experiences themselves are minimized. Additional and supplemental information can be found in the Visitor Use Management Toolbox.
Recreation site monitoring, most often applied to campsites, is the systematic collection and evaluation of site inventory and condition data to establish a baseline and/or identify changes and trends over time. This information is used for visitor use management and resource protection and help managers prioritize wilderness ranger assignments and project work. The primary purpose of recreation site monitoring in wilderness is to provide essential information for identifying and minimizing the biophysical and social impacts of these sites.
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Agency Policy
- The NPS has no specific policy with regards to recreation site monitoring. However, it will be contained in a park specific Wilderness Stewardship Plan.
- NPS Management Policies that apply to recreation are in Chapters 6 and 8. Specifically:
- 6.3.10.2 Trails
- 6.3.10.3 Shelters and Campsites
- 6.4.3/6.4.3.1 Recreational Use Management
- 8.2.2 Recreational Activities
Training Resources
- Visitor Use Management: Monitoring Visitor Impacts and Use E-course
An on-line training course that contains modules on Monitoring Plan Development and Trail Impact Monitoring. - Recreation Impact Monitoring System (RIMS) Mobile Application
Examples of Recreation Site Monitoring Programs
Rocky Mountain National Park
References
- IVUMC Monitoring Guidebook (2019)
- Guidance on Developing Recreation Impact Monitoring Programs for Wilderness (J. Marion, 2022)
- Marion, J.L., Wimpey, J., Arredondo, J., and Meadema, F. Improving the Sustainability of Camping Management on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, Final Research Report, April 2023.
- Marion, J.L., Wimpey, J., Arredondo, J., and Meadema, F. Sustainable Camping “Best Management Practices” May, 2020.
- Marion, J., Arredondo, J., Wimpey, J., & Fletcher, M. (2018, August). Applying Recreation Ecology Science to Sustainably Manage Camping Impacts: A Classification of Camping Management Strategies. Retrieved from https://ijw.org/2018-camping-setbacks-near-waterbodies-in-wilderness/
- Cole, David N. 2013. Changing conditions on wilderness campsites: Seven case studies of trends over 13 to 32 years. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-300. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 99 p.
- Cole, D. N. and D. J. Parsons. 2013. Campsite impact in the wilderness of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Thirty years of change. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SEKI/NRTR—2013/665. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.
- Cole, David N. 2013. Long-Term Effectiveness of Restoration Treatments on Closed Wilderness Campsites. Environmental Management 51: 642-650.
- Cole, David N.; Dean, Liese; Taylor, Debarah; Hall, Troy E. 2012. Restoration of plant cover on campsites in subalpine forests: Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho. Res. Pap. RMRS-RP-99. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 32 p.
- Cole, David N. 2009. Ecological Impacts of Wilderness Recreation and Their Management. In: C.P. Dawson and J.C. Hendee (2009) Wilderness Management: Stewardship and Protection of Resources and Values, fourth edition. Fulcrum Press, Golden, Co. Pp. 395-438.
- Cole, David N., Ferguson, Thomas E. 2009. A relatively nonrestrictive approach to reducing campsite impact: Caney Creek Wilderness, Arkansas. International Journal of Wilderness 15(1): 20-25.
- Cole, David N.; Foti, Pam; Brown, Mathieu. 2008. Twenty years of change on campsites in the backcountry of Grand Canyon National Park. Environmental Management 41:959-970.
- Cole, David N. 2007. Seedling establishment and survival on restored campsites in subalpine forest. Restoration Ecology 15(3): 430-439.
- Cole, David N.; Spildie, David R. 2006. Restoration of plant cover in subalpine forests disturbed by camping: success of transplanting. Natural Areas Journal 26: 168-178.
- Cole, David N.; Monz, Christopher A. 2004. Spatial patterns of recreational impact on experimental campsites. Journal of Environmental Management 70: 73-84.
- Cole, David N.; Monz, Christopher A. 2003. Impacts of camping on vegetation: response and recovery following acute and chronic disturbance. Environmental Management 32(6): 693-705.
- Zabinski, Catherine A.; DeLuca, Thomas H; Cole, David N.; Moynahan, October Seastone. 2002. Restoration of highly impacted subalpine campsites in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, Oregon. Restoration Ecology 10(2): 275-281.
- White, Dave D., Hall, Troy E., Farrell, Tracy A. 2001. Influence of ecological impacts and other campsite characteristics on wilderness visitors’ campsite choices. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration. 19(2): 83-97.
- Cole, David N. 2000. Managing campsite impacts on wild rivers. are there lessons for wilderness managers? International Journal of Wilderness 6(3): 12-16.