Abstract
Wilderness permits are valuable tools for recording backcountry use patterns. They provide a valuable basis upon which management decisions are made. Unfortunately, significant inaccuracies in reporting permit data result from noncompliance, transmission errors, and changes in visitor plans. Data from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California show that in 1978, 97 percent of the parties obtained wilderness permits. Changes in visitor plans resulted in an over-reporting of total persons by 8 percent and of visitor nights by 23 percent. The latter was due primarily to shortening of trip length. Over-reporting was greatest when permits were issued well in advance of the trip. Backcountry managers should be aware of possible inaccuracies in permit data and may want to adjust for them under certain circumstances.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Fazio, J. R., and D. L. Gilbert. 1974. Mandatory wilderness permits: Some indications of success.J. For. 72:753–756.
Hendee, J. C., and R. C. Lucas. 1973. Mandatory wilderness permits: a necessary management tool.J For. 71:206–209.
Hendee, J. C., G. H. Stankey, and R. C. Lucas. 1978. Wilderness Management. USDA Forest Service Misc. Pub. 1365. 381 pp.
Kantola, W. W. 1976. Opinions and preferences of visitors towards alternatives for limiting use in the backcountry of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. M.S. Theis. Univ. of Oregon, Eugene, OR. 83 pp.
Lime, D. W., and R. G. Buchman. 1974. Putting wilderness permit information to work.J. For. 72:622–626.
Lime, D. W., and G. A. Lorence. 1974. Improving estimates of wilderness use from mandatory travel permits. USDA For. Serv. Res. Paper NC-101, St Paul, MN. 7 pp.
Nie, N., C. Hull, J. Jenkins, K. Steinbrenner, and D. Brent. 1975. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, 2nd edition. McGraw-Hill, New York, NY. 675 pp.
Parsons, D. J., T. J. Stohlgren, and P. A. Fodor. 1981. Establishing backcountry use quotas: An example from Mineral King, California.Environ. Manage. 5:335–340.
Plager, A., and P. Womble. 1981. Compliance with backcountry permits in Mt. McKinley National Park.J. For. 79:155–156.
van Wagtendonk, J. W. and J. M. Benedict. 1980. Wilderness permit compliance and validity.J. For. 78:388–401.
Vaus, H. J., Jr. 1975. The distribution of income among wilderness uses.J. Leisure Res. 7:2937.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Parsons, D.J., Stohlgren, T.J. & Kraushaar, J.M. Wilderness permit accuracy: Differences between reported and actual use. Environmental Management 6, 329–335 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01875064
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01875064