According to the National Visitor Use Monitoring Survey, lands managed by the US Forest Service attracted more than 165.7 million visitors in 2011, many of whom came for inexpensive vacations. These visits sustained more than 200,000 full-time and part-time jobs.
This survey revealed that visitors are overwhelmingly satisfied with their experiences on these lands, and described important characteristics of those visits.
The survey was conducted by the Forest Service. A report titled Outdoor Recreation Trends and Futures, published by the Southern Research Station, shows that outdoor recreation is changing. Communities near these public lands can use this information to their economic advantage.
The Forest Service is the largest forestry research organization in the world. It manages 193 million acres of public land. Recreation on this land contributes $13 billion to the US economy.
One thing that has not changed: 94 percent of visitors felt safe during their visits, and they rated their experiences a great value.
Half of the visits to Forest Service lands were made by people who live within 60 miles of the lands, while 26 percent traveled more than 200 miles to get there. This is an increase of local visitation. Not surprisingly, those who traveled farther chose to stay longer, and they visited several sites. Overnight stays have increased by more than 20 million visits. A majority chose camping to cut costs.
More than half of the visitors visit to participate in physical activities. Almost 60 percent chose either hiking or walking, downhill skiing, nature viewing, fishing or hunting. Activities are supported by more than 150,000 miles of hiking, biking, equestrian and motorized trails, more than 10,000 recreation sites, 57,000 miles of streams and 122 alpine ski areas.
Nonphysical things to do are bolstered by 338,000 heritage sites, 9,100 miles of National Scenic Byways, 22 National Recreation Areas, 11 National Scenic Areas, six National Monuments and one national preserve.
The nearby Allegheny National Forest offers several of these attractions, for both physical and nonphysical recreation. One source of information about things to do on the ANF is the Allegheny National Forest Vacation Bureau, in McKean County. Check their website at www.visitanf.com, or call 1-800-473-9370.
Recreational growth areas include viewing and photographing nature, skiing, rock climbing, horseback riding and water skiing. Use of hiking and ATV trails on the ANF has grown a great deal over the past several years. At trail heads where maybe one vehicle would be seen a few years ago, now there are numerous vehicles, even some during winter.
MIKE BLEECH can be reached by e-mail at mikeb73@verizon.net. Read more of his columns at NWPAoutdoors.com.
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