United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

 

ROS Primer and Field Guide

The Recreation Opportunity Spectrum 

Recreation on our National Forests is more than 

just camping, fishing, and hiking. Research has 

shown that people choose a specific setting for 

each of these activities in order to realize a desired 

set of experiences. For example, camping in a 

large undeveloped setting with difficult access and 

few facilities offers a sense of solitude, challenge, 

and self-reliance. In contrast, camping in a setting 

having easy access and highly developed facilities 

offers more comfort, security, and social 

opportunities. 

The Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) offers 

a framework for understanding these relationships 

and interactions. The Spectrum has been divided 

into six major classes for Forest Service use: Urban 

(U), Rural (R), Roaded Natural (RN), SemiPrimitive Non-Motorized (SPNM), Semi-primitive 

Motorized (SPM), and Primitive (P). Maintaining a 

broad spectrum of these classes is very important 

to provide people with choices. ROS is also flexible; 

it can be further subdivided into subclasses as the 

Access

Remoteness

Naturalness

Facilities and Site 

Management

Social Encounters

Visitor Impacts
need arises. 

You will find that ROS is an indispensable tool for 

recreation planning on your Forest. ROS can be 

used to: 

 Inventory existing opportunities. 

 Analyze the effects of other resource activities. 

 Estimate the consequences of management 

decisions on planned opportunities. 

 Link user desires with recreation opportunities. 

 Identify complementary roles of all recreation 

suppliers. 

 Develop standards and guidelines for planned 

settings and monitoring activities. 

 Help design integrated project sets for Forest 

Plan implementation 

The end product of recreation management is the 

experience people have. The key to providing most 

experience opportunities is the setting and how it is 

managed. As a land manager, you can facilitate (or 

hamper) many desired experiences by the way you 

manage such "setting indicators" as access, 

remoteness, naturalness, facilities, social 

encounters, visitor impacts, and the visitors 

themselves. 

Visitor Management

The matrices presented in this brochure will help 

you perform many of the ROS planning steps, 

including integrated project design. The matrices 

establish limits of acceptable change for each 

indicator in a given setting. The "norm" in the 

matrices describes normal conditions found in the 

setting. "Fully compatible" describes conditions that 

meet or exceed the norm. "Inconsistent" (INCON) 

represents conditions that are not generally 

compatible with the norm, but may be necessary 

under some circumstances to meet management 

objectives. "Unacceptable" defines conditions that, 

under any circumstance, do not permit the creation 

or maintenance of a given setting. Where 

unacceptable conditions are unavoidable, a change 

in setting will often result, which must be handled 

appropriately in the Forest planning NEPA process. 

For inventory guidelines and additional details on 

evaluating inconsistencies. consult Chapter 20 of 

the USDA ROS Users Guide. The complete process 

for using ROS in plan implementation can be found 

in Chapter 60 Other ROS references are listed in 

the red 1986 ROS book on pages 111-59-76. 

ROS offers a unique way of thinking about recreation opportunities-they are more than 

just activities or areas. Clearly, ROS can play an integral role in all aspects of recreation 

planning on your Forest You can use it to inventory recreational resources, to estimate the 

consequences of management decisions, and to match experiences desired by 

recreationists with available opportunities. 
United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

 

ROS Primer and Field Guide

Access 

Access includes type and mode of travel Highly developed access generally reduces the opportunities for 

solitude, risk, and challenge. However, it can enhance opportunities for socializing, and feelings of safety 

and comfort. 

Cross-Country 

Travel

Non-Motorized 

Trails

Motorized Trails 

and Primitive 

Roads

(Traffic Ser D)

Controlled (2) 

TSL B&C Rds.

Full Access

Primitive Norm Norm Unacceptable Unacceptable Unacceptable

Semi-Primitive 

Non-Motorized

Compatible Norm Incon. Unacceptable Unacceptable

Semi-Primitive 

Motorized

Compatible Compatible Norm Incon. Unacceptable

Roaded Natural Compatible Compatible Compatible Norm (1) Norm

Rural Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Norm

Urban Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Norm

(1) Roaded Natural may be prescribed in certain circumstances with roads partially or fully closed.

(2) TSL = Traffic Service Level. In TSL-D primitive roads should provide challenge to 4-wheel drive and high clearance vehicles 

but discourage use by highway vehicles. By definition, they are "Single-use controlledtraffic roads. The surface is rough. Stable 

during dry weather. Rutting is controlled for protection of water only". 

Nonmotorized Trails are the norm in SPNM settings, but as The opportunity to feel more challenge and self-reliance on 
here in North Carolina, "existing primitive" roads may 

sometimes be used as nonmotorized travelways. 

As branches brush the sides of a jeep, and the wheel tracks 

become faint, this "primitive" road on the Cherokee NF offers 

the opportunity to feel some challenge and self-reliance. 

driving skills can be built into "primitive" roads on steeper 

terrain. This example was constructed to user specifications 

on the Wenatchee NF. The key is to provide challenging 

opportunities at different levels of difficulty where conditions 

permit. 

[Main Page] Remoteness -->
United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

 

ROS Primer and Field Guide

Remoteness 

Remoteness refers to the extent to which individuals perceive themselves removed from the sights and 

sounds of human activity. A lack of remoteness is important for some setting experiences. 

* Out of sight 

and sound of 

human activity. 

More than 1 and 

1/2 hr. walk.

Distant sight 

and/or sound of 

human activity.

More than 1/2 

hr. walk from 

any motorized 

travel.

Distant sight 

and/or sound of 

human activity. 

More than 1/2 

hr. walk from 

any better-thanprimitive roads.

Remoteness of little relevance

Primitive Norm Incon. Unacceptable Unacceptable Unacceptable

Semi-Primitive 

Non-Motorized

Compatible Norm Incon. Unacceptable Unacceptable

Semi-Primitive 

Motorized

Compatible Compatible Norm Incon. Unacceptable

Roaded Natural Compatible Compatible Compatible Norm Norm

Rural Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Norm

Urban Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Norm

* Legislative direction: e.g., Wilderness act, may require primitive management on lands less remote than this.

This model exemplifies the way in which the opportunity for a 

sense of remoteness is maintained in a wilderness or 
backcountry area (beyond the ridgetop). Cable yarding and 

loading of logs is performed on a road at the bottom of the 

slope, rather than at the ridgetop, to maintain distance and 

landform screens from motorized activity. 

<-- Access [Main Page] Naturalness -->
United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

 

ROS Primer and Field Guide

Facilities and Site Management 

This indicator refers to the level of site development. A lack of facilities and site modifications can enhance 

feelings of self-reliance and independence, and can provide experiences with a high degree of naturalness. 

Highly developed facilities can add feelings of comfort and convenience, and increase opportunities for

socializing. 

No facilities for 

user comfort. 

Rustic and 

rudimentary 

ones for site 

protection only. 

Use 

undimensioned 

native materials 

only.

Rustic and 

rudimentary 

facilities 

primarily for site 

protection. No 

evidence of 

synthetic 

materials. Use 

undimensioned 

native materials.

Rustic facilities 

providing some 

confort for the 

user as well as 

site protection. 

use native 

materials but 

with more 

refinement in 

design. Synthetic 

materials should 

not be evident.

Some facilities 

designed 

primarily for user 

comfort and 

convenience. 

Some synthetic 

but harmonious 

materials may be 

incorporated. 

Design may be 

more complex 

and refined.

Facilities mostly 

designed for 

user comfort and 

convenience. 

Synthetic 

materials are

commonly used. 

Facility design 

may be highly 

complex and 

refined but in 

harmony or 

complimentary 

to the site.

Primitive Norm Incon. Unacceptable Unacceptable Unacceptable

Semi-Primitive 

Non-Motorized

Compatible Norm Incon. Unacceptable Unacceptable

Semi-Primitive 

Motorized

Compatible Norm Incon. Unacceptable Unacceptable

Roaded Natural Compatible Compatible Norm Incon. Unacceptable

Rural Compatible Compatible Compatible Norm Incon.

Urban Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Norm
This rustic bridge is constructed of only natural 

undimensioned materials appropriate for Semi-Primitive 

settings. 

This simple rustic bridge is made of natural, but dimensioned, 

materials appropriate for a Roaded Natural setting. 

This bridge is more complex in design and made of more 

refined materials appropriate for Rural settings. 

Urban facilities such as the Portage Glacier Visitor Center may 

be appropriate nodes in such settings as Roaded Natural or 

Rural as long as they do not adversely affect the desired 

experiences in those settings surrounding the facility. 

<-- Naturalness [Main Page] Social Encounters -->
United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

 

ROS Primer and Field Guide

Social Encounters 

This factor refers to the number and type of other recreationists met along travelways, or camped within 

sight or sound of others. This setting indicator measures the extent to which an area provides experiences 

such as solitude, or the opportunity for social interaction. Increasing the number of visitors to an area 

changes the kind of recreation experience offered, attracting new users and causing others to leave. 

* 6 parties or 

less met per day. 

Less than 3 

visible parties 

campsite.

6-15 parties met 

per day. 6 or 

less parties seen 

at campsite.

Moderate to high 

contact on roads. 

Moderate to low 

on trails and 

developed sites.

Moderate to high 

contact in 

developed sites 

on roads and 

trails.

Large numbers 

of users on site 

and in nearby 

areas. High 

number of social 

encounters.

Primitive Norm Incon. Unacceptable Unacceptable Unacceptable

Semi-Primitive 

Non-Motorized

Compatible Norm Incon. Unacceptable Unacceptable

Semi-Primitive 

Motorized

Compatible Norm Incon. Unacceptable Unacceptable

Roaded Natural Compatible Compatible Norm Incon. Unacceptable

Rural Compatible Compatible Compatible Norm Incon.

Urban Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Norm

* See regional suplements for party size limitations. 

Minimizing the number of parties visible from campsites is one 
of the most critical social encounter elements to users of 

Primitive and Semi-Primitive settings. This example 

represents the ultimate in solitude; no other parties are 

visible. 

<-- Facilities and Site Management [Main Page] Visitor Impacts -->
United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

 

ROS Primer and Field Guide

Visitor Impacts 

This factor refers to the impacts of visitor use on the environment. The relevant question for managers is 

not "how can impacts be prevented", but rather, "how much change will be allowed and which actions are 

appropriate for control". The matrix below suggests appropriate actions for controlling impacts on soil and 

vegetation. Impacts on wildlife habitat, and on air, water, and sound quality affect the visitor's experience 

as well Visitor impacts can alter wildlife habitat or displace wildlife species, including indicator species, 

which provide an important means of monitoring recreation related impacts on fish and other wildlife 

Maintaining air, water, and noise quality standards in the face of visitor impacts is important in all ROS 

classes. 

Unnoticable 

impacts. No site 

hardening.

Subordinate 

impacts. No site 

hardening.

Subordinate 

impacts. Limited 

site hardening.

Subtle site 

hardening.

Site hardening 

may be 

dominant but in 

harmony.

Primitive Norm Incon. Unacceptable Unacceptable Unacceptable

Semi-Primitive 

Non-Motorized

Compatible Norm Incon. Unacceptable Unacceptable

Semi-Primitive 

Motorized

Compatible Compatible Norm Incon. Unacceptable

Roaded Natural Compatible Compatible Compatible Norm Incon.

Rural Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Norm

Urban Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible

This southern California campground illustrates site hardening 
appropriate to an Urban facility. Curb cuts and a ramp to each 

unit should be provided for disabled campers. 

<-- Social Encounters [Main Page] Visitor Management -->
United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

 

ROS Primer and Field Guide

Visitor Management 

This includes the degree to which visitors are regulated and controlled as well as the level of information 

and services provided for visitor enjoyment. In some opportunity settings, controls are expected and 

appropriate. For instance, people sometimes seek developed settings for security and safety. Elsewhere, 

on-site controls may detract from desired experiences, such as independence, self-reliance, and risktaking. 

The type and level of information, and where it is provided to the visitor, may facilitate or hinder a desired 

experience. On-site interpretive and directional signing may adversely affect the visitor where experiences 

such as self-discovery, challenge, and risk are important. In other situations, on-site information may be 

essential to achieve desired experiences. Generally, on-site information is more appropriate at the 

developed end of the spectrum, while off-site sources are preferable at the primitive end. 

Low 

regimentation. 

No on-site 

controls or 

information 

facilities.

Subtle on-site 

regimentation 

and controls. 

Very limited 

information 

facilities.

On-site 

regimentation 

and controls are 

noticable but 

harmonize with 

the natural 

environment. 

Simple 

information 

facilities.

Regimentation 

and controls 

obvious and 

numerous but 

harmonize. More 

complex 

information 

facilities.

Regimentation 

and controls 

obvious and 

numerous. 

Sophisticated 

information 

exhibits.

Primitive Norm Incon. Unacceptable Unacceptable Unacceptable

Semi-Primitive 

Non-Motorized

Compatible Norm Incon. Unacceptable Unacceptable

Semi-Primitive 

Motorized

Compatible Norm Incon. Unacceptable Unacceptable

Roaded Natural Compatible Compatible Norm Incon. Unacceptable

Rural Compatible Compatible Compatible Norm Incon.

Urban Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Norm
Learning by self-discovery is a key experience opportunity 

provided in Primitive and Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized 

settings. Visitors learn primarily from observation and 

information they bring to the site. 

<-- Visitor Impacts [Main Page]
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