Social conditions, conflict, and preference data for users in the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area in 1989

This data publication contains visitor preference for naturalness and social conditions for their visitor experience in the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area (RNRA) and Wilderness in Montana. Random onsite interviews were conducted to gather basic on-site information regarding length of visit, travel destinations, and group characteristics. If willing to participate, interviewees were sent mailback questionnaires which contained more details on classification of visitors by activities participated in, preference for conditions, factors influencing the quality of their experience, and overall feelings of the RNRA. A set of supplemental questions were then sent to all participants who returned the mailback questionnaire, because it was discovered that user conflict between mountain bike riders and hikers was present. The supplemental questions aimed to understand the underlying reasons for that conflict.
This study of visitors to the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness (RNRA) in Montana has three objectives. First, obtaining input from visitors regarding their preferences for naturalness and social conditions addresses the need for selection of indicators and establishing management standards for the RNRA. Second, a better understanding of who visits the RNRA and how they relate to this natural resource was also needed. And third, a better understanding of the nature of conflict between mountain bikers and hikers at the RNRA can help alleviate tension and sources of conflict between the two groups.
Original metadata date was 01/15/2015. Minor metadata updates on 12/14/2016.