RECREATIONISTS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA: A SURVEY OF USER CHARACTERISTICS, BEHAVIORS, AND ATTITUDES

Abstract: The U.S. Forest Service has begun a comprehensive recreation research effort designed to understand visitor use patterns, satisfaction levels, and economic expenditures of forest recreationists. This study examines four categories of variables (socio-demographic, recreation experience, economic expenditure, and customer satisfaction) across a set of five independent variables (type of site, stratum, survey period, state, and season) for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The greatest differences were noted for the socio-demographic variables, place attachment variables, and motivations for visiting. Fewer differences were noted across the satisfaction, management preference, and economic expenditure variables