Appendix 16 

APPENDIX 16—NATURAL RESOURCE RECREATION SETTINGS 

Table A16-1 represents a generalized conceptual framework of available recreation settings. Within the desired recreation setting, recreation management actions are prescribed to achieve targeted activities, experiences, and benefits. 

Table A16-1. Natural Resource Recreation Settings: Criteria for Classification and Prescriptions 

Physical—Resources and Facilities: Character of the natural landscape 

Pristine Transition 

Primitive Back Country Middle Country Front Country Rural Urban 

a. Remoteness More 

than 10 miles from any road 

More than 3 miles from any road 

More than one-half mile from any kind of road, but not as distant as 3 miles, and no road is in sight. 

On or near 4-wheel drive roads, but at least one-half mile from all improved roads, though they may be in sight 

On or near improved country roads but at least one-half mile from all highways 

On or near primary highways, but still within a rural area 

On or near primary highways, municipal streets, and roads within towns or cities 

b. Naturalness Undisturbed natural 

landscape 

Naturally appearing landscape having modifications not readily noticeable 

Naturally appearing landscape except for obvious primitive roads 

Landscape partially modified by roads, utility lines, etc., but none overpower natural landscape features 

Natural landscape substantially modified by agriculture or industrial development 

Urbanized developments dominate this landscape 

c. Facilities None Some primitive 

trails made of native materials such as log bridges and carved wooden signs 

Maintained and marked trails, simple trailhead developments, improved signs, and very basic toilets 

Improved yet modest rustic facilities such as campgrounds, restrooms, trails, and interpretive signs 

Modern facilities such as campgrounds, group shelters, boat launches, and occasional exhibits 

Elaborate fullservice facilities such as laundry, groceries, and bookstores 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan A16-1 
Appendix 16 

Social—Visitor Use and Users: Character of recreation and tourism use 

Primitive 

Pristine Transition 

Back Country Middle Country Front Country Rural Urban 

d. Group Size (other than your own) 

Fewer than or equal to 3 people per group 

4–6 people per group 

7–12 people per group 

13–25 people per group 

26–50 people per group 

Greater than 50 people per group 

e. Contacts (with other groups) 

Fewer than 3 encounters/day at campsites and fewer than 6 encounters/day on travel routes 

3–6 encounters/day off travel routes (campsites) and 7– 15 encounters/day on travel routes 

7–14 encounters/day off travel routes (e.g., staging areas) and 15–29 encounters/day en route 

15–29 encounters/day off travel routes (e.g., campgrounds) and 30 or more encounters/day en route 

People seem to be everywhere, but human contact is still intermittent 

Other people constantly in view 

f. Types of Encounters 

Users plan trips to avoid others altogether 

Users take evasive actions for face-to-face avoidance 

Users step aside to avoid unsafe conditions or user conflicts, sometimes grudgingly 

Users may be unnerved but may not necessarily move off routes, areas, or sites to accommodate others 

Users here routinely expect, welcome, and accommodate other visitors 

Because crowd tolerance is a necessary condition for being here, encounters tend to be impersonal 

Here people accept but routinely ignore multiple crowd interactions 

g. Personal Gear and Equipment 

Very basic gear, cell phones usually don’t work here 

Some convenience gear like cell phones but not radios 

Expect hiking, climbing, and mountain bike gear (e.g., colorful sportswear, bicycle helmets). Radios may also be playing 

Expect to see gear associated with vehicle or offhighway vehicle use (e.g., coolers, body armor). Radios and music may also be playing 

Variety of traditional camper trailers, pop-up tents, and conventional tents; radios and music are common 

Upscale motor homes common, dependent on utility hookups or having generators to support home conveniences and gadgetry 

Very specialized gear dependent on service provider assistance (e.g., boat slips, grounds keepers, caretakers) 

h. Evidence of Use Only footprints may be 

observed 

Footprints plus slight vegetative trampling at campsites and travel routes. Only infrequent litter 

Vehicle tracks and occasional litter and soil erosion. Vegetation becoming worn

 Well-worn soils and vegetation but often gravelsurfaced for erosion control 

Paved routes protect soils and vegetation, but noise, litter, and facility impacts are pervasive 

A busy place with what seems like constant noise. Unavoidable litter seems to be a lifestyle choice 

A16-2 Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan 
Appendix 16 

Administrative—Administrative and Service Setting: How Public Land Managers, County Commissioners and Municipal Governments, and Local Businesses Care for the Area and Serve Visitors and Local Residents 

Pristine Transition 

Primitive Back Country Middle Country Front Country Rural Urban 

i. Visitor Services None is available onsite Basic maps but 

area personnel seldom available to provide onsite assistance 

Area brochures and maps, plus area personnel occasionally present to provide onsite assistance 

Information materials describe recreation areas and activities. Area personnel are periodically available 

Everything described to the left in this row, and describes experiences/benefits available. Area personnel do onsite education 

Everything described to the left in this row, plus regularly scheduled onsite outdoor skills, demonstrations, and clinics 

j. Management Controls 

No visitor controls apparent. Enforcement presence very rare 

Signs at key access points on basic user ethics. May have backcountry user restrictions. Enforcement presence rare 

Occasional regulatory signing. Motorized and mechanized use restrictions. Random enforcement presence 

Rules clearly posted with some seasonal or day-ofweek use restrictions. Periodic enforcement presence 

Regulations prominent. Total use limited by permit, reservation, etc. Routine enforcement presence 

Continuous enforcement to redistribute use and reduce user conflicts, hazards, and resource damage 

k. Domestic Animals No 

domestic animals allowed here 

Dogs and pack livestock on designated routes in designated areas only 

Livestock (horses & llamas) allowed but only on designated routes and areas. Dogs under control and pack routes 

No controls on dogs and pack livestock other than standard regulations prohibiting wildlife harassment, etc. 

Dogs on leash and pack livestock only in designated areas within recreation sites. Both under control elsewhere 

Dogs on leash everywhere and pack livestock allowed only in designated areas 

Dogs on leash everywhere and pack livestock allowed only under specific use restrictions (e.g., horse diapers, parades) 

l. Individual User Fees 

No individual user fees Individual user 

fees charges within certain back-country areas 

Additional fees charged individuals at some developed recreation sites, but not for any dispersed recreation uses 

Individual user fees charged at all developed sites, but not yet for any dispersed recreation use 

Individual user fees charged at all developed sites and for dispersed use within high-use areas only 

Individual user fees routinely charged for recreation use. 

m. Mechanized Use None whatsoever Mountain bikes 

and perhaps other mechanized use, but all is nonmotorized 

Four-wheel drives, all terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, or snowmobiles in addition to nonmotorized, mechanized use 

Two-wheel drive vehicles predominant, but also 4-wheel drives and nonmotorized, mechanized use 

Ordinary highway auto and truck traffic is characteristic 

Wide variety of street vehicles, and highway traffic is ever-present 

Record of Decision and Approved Pinedale Resource Management Plan A16-3