Date of Award

Spring 2024

Project Type

Thesis

Program or Major

Recreation Management and Policy

Degree Name

Master of Science

First Advisor

Micheal D Ferguson

Second Advisor

Lauren A Ferguson

Third Advisor

Forrest Schwartz

Abstract

The use of reservation systems in parks and protected areas has recently increased across the United States, influenced by factors such as carrying capacity and social distancing measures during COVID-19. This study employs stated choice modeling to examine visitor preferences for reservation systems at the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont, USA, using a combined mail-back and online survey approach (n=629) during the summer of 2023. Our analysis focused on several key factors: ecological integrity, permit acquisition, crowding, parking wait times, and price. Findings reveal that ecological impacts, such as visible signs of litter or vegetative damage, significantly influenced visitor decisions, underscoring a pronounced preference for scenarios offering robust environmental protections. Conversely, the anticipated impact of crowding had a less pronounced effect on decision-making than expected, suggesting that visitors may prioritize the quality of their experience over the quantity of people sharing the space. These insights indicate strong visitor support for reservation systems that prioritize ecological preservation and efficient access, suggesting that management strategies should emphasize mitigating human-induced environmental impacts and could consider implementing sliding scale fees to enhance affordability and equity. This research underscores the importance of understanding visitor attitudes toward reservation systems and offers valuable implications for their design and implementation in parks and protected areas.

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