CHANGES IN USE OF 3 OREGON, USA, WILDERNESSES

Several studies have suggested that use of wildernesses within nationa l forests is declining. Data from three wildernesses in Oregon (based on mandatory permits and voluntary registration) indicate that between 1976 and 1991 in two areas and between 1980 and 1993 in another area the number of recreational visitor days (RVDs) has declined between 23 % and 63%. However, the number of visits has remained roughly stable i n one area and more than doubled in the other two. The disparity betwe en the two measures of use may be the result of shifts from mainly ove r-night to mainly day use in these wildernesses. Day use has increased from about 30% to over 60% of all visits. Trends are different enough in each wilderness to warrant independent analyses over time. Managem ent implications of using different measures of use as well as observe d trends are discussed.