Analysis of a zone-type backcountry camping permit system in Glacier National Park
Seibert RR. 1981. Analysis of a zone-type backcountry camping permit system in Glacier National Park. University of Montana
This is an analysis of the Wilderness Zone backcountry camping permit system which is in effect within the Nyack and Coal Creek drainages of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River area of Glacier National Park, Montana. The field portion of the study was completed during the summer of 1976 and a second documentation of campsite status was completed during the fall of 1980. The study attempted to determine visitor compliance with Wilderness Zone regulations, their perception of the zone-type camping permit system and the physical status of both traditional and nondesignated campsites within the Wilderness Zone. A simple method, utilizing photographs, campsite maps and a visually oriented Site Condition Classification System, was applied to record campsite changes over time. It was found that users supported the zone-type camping system. However, they did not select dispersed campsites that were beyond sight of the trail. Instead, virtually all users camped in the traditional, or in several newly formed campsites. Nearly all of these campsites were readily visible from the trail. The Wilderness Zone did not disperse use nor did it reduce resource impacts. Extensive resource impacts were probably avoided because of extremely low use levels.
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Seibert, Robert
- Date of Issue
- 1981
- Publisher
- University of Montana
- Units
- CRCO , GLAC
- Keywords
- backcountry camping, permits, thesis, visitor use, wilderness use
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Human Use | Visitor and Recreation Use | Visitor Use