Rooted in Place: Understanding Camper Substitution Preferences

Abstract

This study examines recreationists using primitive roadside campsites on Forest Preserve lands in the Adirondack Park. The primary objective of this study was to explore psychological factors (experience use history, enduring involvement, place bonding) that contribute to visitors’ substitution preferences and their willingness to make a resource substitution for roadside camping in the Adirondack Park. Two discriminant function analyses indicate that experience use history variables and the rootedness dimension of place bonding can significantly discriminate between substitution preference groups and willingness to substitute for roadside camping. Enduring involvement in the activity of camping, however, was not a significant predictor of substitution variables.

Keywords:

• place bonding
• recreational substitution
• roadside camping

Acknowledgments

David A. Graefe is now at the Department of Integrated Science and Technology, Marshall University. This research was supported in part by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.