2022 Socioeconomic Research of Great Smoky Mountain National Park—Summer Season: Report on 2022 Data Collection (Revised)
Otak Inc., RRC Associates Inc., University of Montana. 2026. 2022 Socioeconomic Research of Great Smoky Mountain National Park—Summer Season: Report on 2022 Data Collection (Revised). Science Report. NPS/SR—2026/502. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2319310
A strong mandate and need for socioeconomic monitoring are expressed in the NPS strategic goals for science, in statements by the NPS leadership, and the report of the Second Century Commission. This report informs core issues of visitor use management and develops a deeper, contemporary understanding of who visits Great Smoky Mountains National Park and what they do during their visit. It uses a two-phased survey methodology to capture a representative sample of visitor information, characteristics, and behavior: (1) an on-site intercept survey conducted via tablet, and (2) a follow up (mail-back and/or online survey) for full trip details. The results are organized by these two phases and are intended to assist park managers in understanding current utilization and perception of park resources, operations and potential issues, as well as to facilitate communication and decision-making processes within the park and between the park and its local partners and stakeholders. The revised version of this report corrects previous errors identified in Figures 9 and 18 and includes minor editorial, formatting, and accessibility updates. No substantive changes have been made to the findings or conclusions presented in the original 2022 report.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Otak Inc.; RRC Associates Inc.; University of Montana
- Date of Issue
- 2026-08
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2319310
- Units
- GRSM , NRSS