Visitor-related data for federal lands and waters
2024-2025
US Department of the Interior Office of Policy Analysis
US Geological Survey
Federal lands and waters provide recreational opportunities to millions of visitors every year. An understanding of visitor numbers, demographics, satisfaction, preferences, and trip characteristics can help planning at an agency level as well as at the recreation site level. Information can also assist external visitor service providers in planning and providing services to visitors of our public lands and waters. While the importance of recreation monitoring is well-established, the methods and quality of visitor-related data collected vary widely from agency to agency. The primary objectives for this project were to (1) summarize and compare federal land and water management agencies’ current methods for collecting information on visitor numbers, demographics, satisfaction, preferences, and trip characteristics and (2) develop guidance and resources to support the development of improved and more consistent approaches to data collection across agencies. The project developed a better understanding of the current status of visitor-related data collection and a strategy for future improvements to visitor-related data.
Additional information
- Monitoring Recreation on Federally Managed Lands and Waters—Visitation Estimation. Scientific Investigations Report 2025-5022.
- Monitoring Recreation on Federally Managed Lands and Waters—Visitor Use. Forthcoming.
- Monitoring recreation on managed lands and waters: current and emerging visitor estimation methods. International Association for Society and Natural Resources Annual Meeting.