Wilderness — The Life Cycle and Forest Recreational Choice

Abstract

Abstract The report empirically examines aspects of the belief that wilderness reservations unfairly deprive elderly citizens and young families of recreation opportunities. Evidence is presented that none of the principal forest-related recreation activities represent a "majority vote" of the American people and appear to be unappealing to most elderly citizens. Statistically significant associations were found for the following: combination-camping families represent the early stages of the family life cycle; easy-access-camping families represent middle and postretirement stages; and remote-camping families represent those just beginning their families and those whose grown children are leaving home.