Page 102 - Clackamas County Watertourism Strategic Plan. Final.v3

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR WATER-BASED TOURISM IN CLACKAMAS COUNTY, OREGON THE MARKET
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There is little information on the preferences of non-resident paddlers, but we can piece together some key insights to help inform a potential market. First, if we assume that
non-resident paddlers are willing to travel approximately the same distance as residents then we can use the results of this study’s primary statewide survey to estimate their
propensity to travel.
Table 5-16:Most Visited Rivers and Lakes in Oregon’s Region 2
These data show that paddlers are willing to travel about 50 miles one way to visit their most River # of % of % of
frequently visited waterbody. This number combines both day trippers and overnighters. A Visits Category Region
statewide survey of non-motorized boaters conducted in 2015 by Oregon State University states Columbia River (Saint Helens to Troutdale) 918 26 21
that non-motorized boaters will travel only about 30 miles for a day trip one way. For overnight Willamette River (Columbia River to Canby) 858 25 20
Sandy River (Bull Run River to Columbia River) 251 7 6
trips they will travel “over 90 miles” but the study does not provide the average or maximum Clackamas River (Source to River Mill Dam) 235 7 5
xxx
distances . We can also review other studies to help answer this question. Paddlers traveling to Clackamas River (River Mill Dam to Willamette River) 217 6 5
the Snake River in Idaho travel approximately 73 miles one way xxxi . If they are staying overnight Tualatin River 213 6 5
they will travel 191 miles one way. On average, non-angling recreation visitors to the Snake River Columbia River (Bonneville Dam to Deschutes River) 162 5 4
Columbia River (Mouth to Saint Helens) 139 4 3
will travel 123 miles one way. A North Carolina study conducted by North Carolina State University Hood River (mainstem) 101 3 2
shows that 41% of all paddlers travel less than 30 minutes (estimated to be 30 miles) to any river Sandy River (Source to confluence with Bull Run River) 77 2 2
and another 20% travel less than 1 hour (estimated to be 60 miles) xxxii . Presented with this
combination of research, a marketing strategy that is attempting to attract non-motorized paddlers Table 4-16 (con’t) Most Visited Rivers and Lakes in Oregon’s Region 2
should assume that most paddlers will be travelling within a few hours’ drive of their home. This Lakes # of % of % of
means only a small percentage will be staying overnight. This percentage can be estimated. The US Visits Category Region
Henry Hagg Lake 214 25 5
Forest Service National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) program estimates that non-resident paddlers Trillium Lake 210 25 5
visiting Forest Service lands is about 17% of all paddlers, while 83% are residents xxxiii . However, a
Timothy Lake 171 20 4
percentage of residents who travel more than about 90 miles one way will also be seeking overnight Oswego Lake 71 8 2
accommodations. A marketing campaign that targets only paddlers for overnight stays must attempt Laurance Lake 40 5 1
to attract Oregon residents that are over 90 miles away, and residents of northern California, southern Sturgeon Lake 28 3 1
Smith & Bybee Lakes 26 3 1
Washington, and western Idaho. Marketing campaigns that are trying to sell only paddling trips will not Frog Lake 25 3 1
be successful for paddlers beyond these distances. This is because there are far too many options Green Peter Reservoir 23 3 1
closer to home for paddlers. Many studies documenting travel patterns of paddlers do not Vernonia Lake 9 1 0
demonstrate a willingness to travel long distances for only one sport. Non-resident paddlers beyond Source: Oregon Non-Motorized Boater Participation and Priorities, OSU 2015
these distances will still be attracted to Oregon, and they will be demanding overnight accommodations, but they will be here for multiple reasons. Most of those visitors will not
be travelling to Oregon just to paddle. Existing travel and tourism marketing efforts by Clackamas County today should continue to include paddling as an option within a wide
range of activities to attract visitors. The Tourism Board should review its advertising to be sure it includes a fair representation of water-based activities because, as previously
stated, Clackamas County has excellent non-motorized boating opportunities for the adventure bound and solitude seekers alike.