Page 10 - spring 2019

10 Friends oF red rock canyon

ver the past two years, the Great Basin Objective 2: Understand Visitor and Stakeholder Perceptions of Capacity Issues at RRC
O Institute (GBI) conducted a Capacity
We conducted open-ended and fixed-choice surveys with visitors, volunteers, permittees and
Assessment project to help the Bureau of Land other stakeholders to understand their experiences, perceptions of capacity-related issues and
Management (BLM) characterize visitation their attitudes about different management strategies.
trends and people’s perceptions of increased
visitation and potential impacts around the Sce- • Overall, typical visitors are highly satis-
nic Loop Drive (Loop) area at Red Rock Canyon fied with their recreation experiences.
National Conservation Area (RRC). Our primary Improving restroom and other facility
goal was to assist the BLM’s planning and cleanliness, providing more informa-
decision-making process by providing empirical, tion on protecting cultural and natural
resources, and enhancing trail ADA
quantifiable and reliable data about the current accessibility options would lead to even
conditions and visitation patterns. We recently higher satisfaction levels.
completed the project and submitted final • Long-time users and members of
reports to the BLM. The results of the five main stakeholder groups are more aware of
objectives that guided the project are shown. visitation and capacity-related impacts.
These include increased graffiti, litter,
congestion at the entrance station and
parking areas along the Loop, and the
sometimes confusing multi-use nature
Volunteers dedicated to the preservation of Red Rock Canyon
Objective 1: Review Management Directives and of the Loop.
Staff Perceptions of Capacity Issues • Many frequent or regular visitors adjust
their visits to avoid congestion.
We reviewed relevant BLM and RRC management • Volunteers would like more informa-
and planning documents and interviewed RRC tional materials to give to visitors about
officials to understand the management direction and
perceptions of capacity issues.

• Specific management direction about ad-
dressing increasing visitation and capacity-
related impacts is severely lacking in official
policy and management documents.
• Officials recognize the implications and im-
pacts of increased visitation, notably address-
ing congestion and overflow issues at the
entrance station and some parking areas.
• They understand the need to ensure visitors
arrive prepared and with realistic expecta-
tions about potential congestion issues. They
seek a range of structural changes and com-
munication strategies to mitigate negative
impacts of increased visitation.
Background image: The Loop as seen from Sandstone Quarry. Above: Waiting at the entrance.

the Rock - Volume 9 Issue 3