Outdoor Recreation Planning provides guidance in programmatic, long-term planning for recreation resources. This book discusses history and principles of planning, introduces the traditional master planning process, and provides methods of data collection. It also describes alternatives analysis, management of the planning process, and decision making in the planning process. Further, it provides a broad perspective on mega issues that can affect the master recreation resource planning process.

The editors have been engaged in outdoor recreation planning for 20-plus years and conducted long-term visitor monitoring studies across many western U.S. national forests that allow resource managers to make informed planning decisions. The contributors have practical experience in advising and helping to develop recreation resource planning rules and procedures and in developing master plans for public properties.