Freedom versus control: A study of backpackers’ preferences for wilderness management

Abstract

The rationing of public access to wildlands frequently is used by land management agencies to protect both physical resources and the quality of visitors’ experiences. Establishing and enforcing optimum use levels, however, presents a dilemma in that wilderness often is perceived in the public mind as permitting spontaneity of behavior and escape from bureaucratic regimentation. We studied the receptivity of backpackers to use limitations at Mount McKinley National Park in Alaska. It was found that they solidly supported the idea of rationing, and they were generally supportive of the backcountry management policies of the Park. Backpackers who were the most committed to finding solitude and who espoused anti‐development goals were more supportive of rationing and the extant management policies than were persons for whom wilderness values held little or no importance.

Key words:

• backcountry
• wilderness
• backpacking
• sociology
• limitations
• management
• attitudes