Recreational Permit Programs for Trails and Backcountry Areas: An Exploration of Design and Implementation

Abstract With visitation to public lands rising, managers are increasingly implementing permit programs to mitigate biophysical and social impacts—particularly for trails and backcountry areas. While many studies have focused on determining use limits, there has been little research examining use rationing program design and implementation. This study examines recreational permit programs for trails and remote areas within US national parks and forests to identify their components and implementation implications. Our exploratory process scanned 217 land units to identify the major components of 64 permit programs. We selected a purposive sample of 15 programs and conducted detailed investigations using online information and telephone interviews. The findings provide a comprehensive summary of permit system components and management implications related to quotas, physical layout, user safety, fairness, and public interaction. We also discuss how these findings can assist managers and researchers and point to research tools and needs to support management.