Mandatory Wilderness Permits: Some Indications of Success

Abstract

Backcountry visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park in summer 1973 were surveyed to learn their reaction to a highly restrictive control of wilderness use. Pre- and post-visit questionnaire sampling revealed a high degree of user acceptance for the program. Of several communications media tested in an experimental phase of the study, a brief audio-visual presentation at the point of permit issuance was most effective in increasing users' knowledge of concepts and procedures for low-impact wilderness use.