Assessing Crowding Perceptions and Satisfaction Among Diverse Visitors at El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico

Abstract

Increased visitation is a concern for many parks and forests due to associated impacts on the environment and the recreation experience. Crowding continues to be one of public land managers’ most challenging problems. El Yunque National Forest (EYNF) is the only tropical national forest in the National Forest System and, at the time of this study, received over one million visits per year. This study aimed to assess crowding perceptions and satisfaction with the recreation experience and the facilities and services available at EYNF among local and non-local visitors. This study has not identified a strong crowding sensitivity among visitors. However, local visitors expressed a higher level of tolerance for recreation encounters as compared with non-locals. Satisfaction with various facilities and services captured an indirect impact of crowding on the experience. This study expands the current understanding of crowding and satisfaction among visitors of diverse cultural backgrounds.