Three NPS Visitor Studies

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Social Science Division
Expedited Approval for NPS-Sponsored Public Surveys
1.

Project Title ⎢
Submission Date:

2.

Abstract:

3.

Title:
Affiliation:
Street Address:
City:

Last Name:

Robert

Manning

Professor
University of Vermont
356 Aiken Center
Burlington

Phone:

(802) 656-3096

Email:

[email protected]

State:
Fax:

VT

Zip code:

05405

(802)656-2623

Park or Program Liaison Contact Information
First Name:

11/9/2009

The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Dyea and Chilkoot Trail/Taiya River
Visitor Survey will provide the National Park Service with information about attitudes
toward management issues among 2 visitor groups in the park. The survey also will gather
data informing the development of indicators and standards related to the quality of visitor
experiences in the park, as well as data on visitor characteristics. This information will be
incorporated into current park planning. The survey is scheduled to be conducted as on-site
questionnaires at each of 2 sites during the short summer visitor season at this Alaska park.
(not to exceed 150 words)

Principal Investigator Contact Information
First Name:

4.

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Dyea and Chilkoot
Trail/Taiya River Visitor Survey

Dave

Last Name:

Title:

Biologist

Park:

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical
Park

Park
Office/Division:

Natural Resources Division

Street Address:

PO Box 517
Broadway & Second

Schirokauer

City:

State:

Skagway

Phone:

(907)983-9228

Fax:

Email:

[email protected]

Zip code:

AK

99840

(907)983-9249

Project Information
5.

Park(s) For Which Research is
to be Conducted:

6.

Survey Dates:

7.

Type of Information Collection Instrument (Check ALL that Apply)

8.

‰

Mail-Back
Questionnaire

‰

Other (explain)

Survey Justification:
(Use as much space as
needed; if necessary include
additional explanation on a
separate page.)

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
07/01/2010

X On-Site
Questionnaire

(mm/dd/yyyy)

‰

to

Face-to-Face
Interview

08/31/2010

‰

Telephone
Survey

(mm/dd/yyyy)

‰

Focus
Groups

Legal Justification: Social science research in support of park planning and
management is mandated in the NPS Management Policies 2006 (Section 8.11.1,
“Social Science Studies”). The NPS pursues a policy that facilitates social science
studies in support of the NPS mission to protect resources and enhance the
enjoyment of present and future generations (National Park Service Act of 1916,
38 Stat 535, 16 USC 1, et seq.). NPS policy mandates that social science research
will be used to provide an understanding of park visitors, the non-visiting public,
gateway communities and regions, and human interactions with park resources.
Such studies are needed to provide a scientific basis for park planning,
development, operations, management, education, and interpretive activities.
Management Justification/Literature Review: The Skagway, AK unit of Klondike
Gold Rush National Historical Park (KLGO) has experienced greater visitation
over the past decade due to increased cruise ship visitation to the area. Increasing
use of the park may negatively affect the quality of visitor experiences through
crowding and resource degradation. The park is now conducting planning that
requires that managers establish a use capacity for the park. The information
collected in this study will enhance current park planning and management efforts
by providing visitor use and user characteristics and potential indicators and
standards of experience quality. These will assist managers in determining use
capacity for the park.
It is critical to understand visitors’ attitudes and behavior to inform park planning
and management within the context of contemporary management frameworks
such as Visitor Experience and Resource Protection (VERP) (Manning, 2001).
These frameworks help define quality by setting management objectives to fulfill
park mandates, legislation, and policy. The VERP process involves identifying
indicators and standards of quality; monitoring indicator variables; and taking
management actions to ensure that quality standards for each indicator are
maintained. Indicators of quality are defined as measurable, manageable variables
that act as proxies for the quality of park resources and experiences. Standards
define the minimum acceptable condition of these indicator variables.
The visual simulation and scaling methods and questions used in this study are
well-established in the field. Numerous studies at many different NPS units have
used similar methods and questions (Manning, 2007). Examples include visitor
surveys in Acadia NP, including studies on the park loop road (Hallo & Manning,
In Press), on the network of historic carriage roads (Jacobi, et al., 1999; Wang and

Manning, 1999), at Schoodic Peninsula (Manning, et al., 2005), and at the park’s
Isle au Haut (Manning, 2007).

9.

Survey Methodology: (Use as
much space as needed; if
necessary include additional
explanation on a
separate page.)

This study will employ a cross-sectional survey design with data collected from a
stratified sample of current KLGO visitors at 2 park sites (Dyea and short portions
of the Chilkoot Trail and Taiya River) through on-site sampling.
(a) Respondent universe:

The respondent universe will be visitors to the 2 sampling sites, age 18 and over,
between July 1 and August 31, 2010.
(b) Sampling plan/procedures:

The sampling period includes the park's peak use period. Sampling at each site will
be conducted on 10 randomly selected days throughout the period of the study. The
sampling days will be spread out over the days of the week and take place between
8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sampling will be evenly divided between the Dyea townsite and
the Chilkoot Trail/Taiya River locations. Ten days will be sampled at each site,
with both weekday periods and weekend periods represented proportional to use.
This will ensure that a sufficient number of interviews will be completed to make
inferences to the visitor populations at these two locations with an acceptable
degree of precision. The 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. period was chosen because it is the time of
day when the majority of visitation occurs.
During each sampling period, a trained surveyor will be stationed at the cruise ship
pier where commercial tour groups return. When the sampling period begins, the
surveyor will approach each group exiting commercial tour transportation and ask
them to participate in the survey. If members of the visitor groups agree to
participate, the eligible person in the group whose birthday is closest to the
sampling day will be asked to complete the questionnaire for their personal group.
Since many of the groups will be commercial tour groups off cruise ships, they will
be comprised of several personal groups. A member from each personal group will
be asked to complete the survey before he/she boards their cruise ship. After they
complete the survey, they will return it to the survey attendant. When the surveyor
has completed his/her contact with the group, the surveyor will ask the next group
exiting commercial tour transportation to participate in the survey. This process
will continue throughout the sampling period. Visitors to Dyea who are not part of
a commercial tour group will be asked to complete the survey as they complete
their visit at each study site. These visitors will complete the on-site questionnaire
in the presence of the survey attendant, who will answer any questions that arise
and collect the surveys upon completion. A screening question will be asked to
assure that participants will not be surveyed more than once.
(c) Instrument administration:

Visitors to the study sites will be read the following script:
"Excuse me, sir/ma'am. We're conducting a study for Klondike Gold Rush National
Historical Park to better understand visitor use in this area. Participation is
voluntary and all responses are anonymous. Would you be willing to take 10
minutes to help?
If YES: "Thank you. Who in your personal group (who is at least 18 years of age)
has the next birthday? Would you be willing to fill out this survey? Have you
completed a survey at a different location in the park?”
If YES: “Thank you, but we can only accept one response per personal
group. Thank you for your time.”
If NO: “Thank you.”

If NO:"I understand. I hope you enjoyed your visit".
(d) Expected response rate/confidence levels:

The estimated sample size at both sampling sites is expected to be 312 visitors.
The overall survey sample size is expected to be approximately 624 visitors.
Based on previous experience in conducting similar surveys, it is expected that
about 80% of visitors (about 500 individuals or 250 visitors per sampling site) will
be willing to participate. In a similar study at the Isle au Haut section of Acadia
National Park in 2002, a response rate of 87% was attained. More recent studies on
the Mount Desert Island portion of Acadia National Park yielded response rates of
83.6% at Acadia Mountain, 78.5% at Hunter’s Beach, 83.5% at Seawall, 86.3% at
Valley Cove, and 77% at Little Hunter’s Beach. Study findings are estimated to be
accurate within 6 percentage points, based on a sample size of approximately 250
using a 95% confidence level. This will be sufficient for the park’s planning
purposes. The number of people in each visitor party and date and time of refusals
will be recorded and reported on a refusal log.
(e) Strategies for dealing with potential non-response bias:

Non-response bias will be examined by comparing selected characteristics of the
sample population with characteristics observed and recorded in every group
contacted (e.g., group size). The results of the check for non-response bias will be
reported and implications for data interpretation discussed.
Description of any pre-testing and peer review of the methods and/or
instrument (recommended):
The questions included in these surveys have been designed and reviewed by the
PI, research staff and graduate students at the University of Vermont, and NPS
park and regional staff. The questions are similar to those used at several other
national park areas in previous studies. Finally, most questions appear in the
NPS/OMB “Pool of Known Questions.”

(f)

10.

13.

Total Number of
Initial Contacts |
Expected Respondents:

Reporting Plan:

Dyea
312
Chilkoot
312
TOTAL

250
250
500

1
1.

Estimated Time to
Complete Initial
Contact |
Instrument
(mins.):

2

12

2

10

1
2.

Total
Burden
Hours:

60
52
112

The results of this information collection activity will be presented in an internal
agency report and will be available upon request. A copy of the technical study
report will be archived with the Social Science Division of the National Park
Service for inclusion in the Social Science Studies Collection. The key estimates
that will be derived from the data collected will be descriptive in nature, primarily
measures of central tendency (mean and median), dispersion (standard deviation),
and frequency distributions. Some tests for differences in means and proportions
may be done.

References
Hallo, J. and Manning, R. (In Press). Transportation and Recreation: A Case Study of Visitors Driving for Pleasure at Acadia
National Park. Journal of Transport Geography.
Jacobi, C. and Manning, R. (1999). Crowding and Conflict on the Carriage Roads of Acadia National Park: An Application
of the Visitor Experience and Resource Protection Framework. Park Science, 19(2):22-26.
Manning, R. (2007). Parks and Carrying Capacity: Commons Without Tragedy. Washington, D.C.: Island Press.
Manning, R. (2001). Visitor Experience and Resource Protection: A Framework for Managing the Carrying Capacity of
National Parks. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 19(1):93-108.

Manning, R., Lawson, S. and Morrissey, J. (2005). What's Behind the Numbers? Qualitative Insights Into Normative
Research in Outdoor Recreation. Leisure Sciences. 27: 205-224.
Wang, B. and Manning, R. (1999). Computer Simulation Modeling for Recreation Management: A Study on Carriage Road
Use in Acadia National Park, Maine, USA. Environmental Management, 23(2):193-203.

OMB #: XXXX-XXXX
Expiration: XXXX XX 2010

KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH
TAIYA RIVER/CHILKOOT TRAIL
HIKE AND FLOAT TOUR SURVEY

Location Survey Administered: ______________________
Commercial or Private Group ________________________
Tour Company: ____________________
Date:
_____________________
Time:
_____________________
Attendant:
_____________________
Weather:
____ Warm
____ Cool
____ Sunny
____ Partly sunny
____ Cloudy
____ Foggy
____ Rain

1

KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH
HIKE AND FLOAT VISITOR SURVEY
The Chilkoot Trail and the Taiya River are located within Klondike Gold Rush National
Historical Park, which celebrates the famed Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, and was created “in
order to preserve in public ownership for the benefit and inspiration of the people of the United
States, historic structures and trails associated with the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898” and to
make this valuable part of America’s heritage available to visitors for their understanding,
enjoyment, and appreciation. The National Park Service is currently developing plans to better
manage the natural and cultural resources and visitor opportunities on the Chilkoot Trail and
Taiya River. The information you provide in this survey will help the National Park Service
understand how visitors use this site and how you would like this site to be managed.
1. How many people (including you) are in your personal group today? Your “personal group”
is anyone you are visiting the park with, such as spouse, family, or friends. It doesn’t include
the larger group you may be traveling with, such as a tour group or school groups. [1. GR3]
Number of people: _____
2. On this visit, what kind of personal group (not tour group) are you with? Please circle only
one. [1. GR5]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Alone
Family
Friends
Family and friends
Other (Please specify: ___________________________________________)

3. On this visit, are you and your personal group with any of the following types of groups?
Circle all that apply. [1. Variation GR6]
1. Commercial tour group
2. School/educational group
3. Other organized group/club (Specify: _______________________)
4.

Are you visiting this area as part of a cruise vacation? [Topic Area 2, Trip/Visit
Characteristics]
1. Yes
2. No

2

5a. Have you visited one of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park visitor center (in
downtown Skagway) during your visit? [3. Variation ACT13]
1. Yes
2. No
b.

When did you learn that the Chilkoot Trail and the Taiya River are within a National
Historical Park? [1. Variation KNOW2]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Before I left home
On board my cruise ship
When I got off the cruise ship (on the dock or in Skagway)
From my tour leader
From this survey
I did not learn that the Chilkoot Trail and Taiya River are within a National Historical
Park
7. Other (please specify):______________________________

c.

Have you visited Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park before this trip? [1.
VISITHIS1]
1. Yes
2. No (Skip to question 6.)
If YES, approximately how many times have you visited Klondike Gold Rush National
Historical Park before this trip?
Number of previous visits: _____

6. Do you live in the United States? [1. RES3]
1. Yes (What is your Zip code? __________)
2. No (What country do you live in? _________________________________)
7. Why have you visited the Chilkoot Trail and Taiya River today? Please rate the importance
of the following reasons for visiting. (Circle one number for each item.) [4. Variation
PREF1]

a. To learn about the gold rush
history of this area

Not at all
Important

Somewhat
Important

Very
Important

1

2

3

1

2

3

b. To see and learn about the
natural environment of this area

3

c. To participate in a recreational
activity (e.g. hiking, biking,
rafting)

1

2

3

d. To be with family and/or
friends

1

2

3

e. To get some exercise

1

2

3

f. To experience solitude

1

2

3

g. Other (Please specify:
__________________________)

1

2

3

These questions ask about things that made your visit more or less enjoyable.
8a. What did you like most about your visit to the Chilkoot Trail and Taiya River? [6.
EVALSERV25]
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
b. What did you like least about your visit to the Chilkoot Trail and Taiya River? [6.
EVALSERV24]
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

c. If you could ask the National Park Service to change some things about the way they
manage these areas, what would you ask them to do? [6. Variation EVALSERV7]
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

d. If you have visited the these areas before, please note any things that have changed for the
better or for the worse since your last visit. [Topic Area 6, Individual Perceptions of their
Park Experiences]
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

4

e. Do you think visitors are having any negative effects on the natural and/or historical
resources of this area or the quality of the visitor experience? [Topic Area 6, Individual
Perceptions of their Park Experiences]
1. Yes
2. No
3. Don’t know
If YES, please explain:______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

f. What do you value most about your visit to the Chilkoot Trail and Taiya River? [Topic
Area 6, Individual Perceptions of their Park Experiences]
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

g. What do you consider to be the most important qualities of the Chilkoot Trail and Taiya
River? [Topic Area 6, Individual Perceptions of their Park Experiences]
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
9. Some people have suggested that the following issues might be problems on the Chilkoot
Trail and Taiya River. To what extent do you think the following issues are problems?
(Circle one number for each item.) [6. OPMGMT2]
Not a
Problem

Small
Problem

Big
Problem

Don’t
Know

a. The number of people on the
trail

1

2

3

DK

b. The number of groups
floating on the Taiya river

1

2

3

DK

1

2

3

DK

1

2

3

DK

1

2

3

DK

c. Large groups floating on the
Taiya River
d. Ecological impact to the
Chilkoot Trail from visitor
use
e. Ecological impact to the
Taiya River from visitor use

5

f. Visitors making too much
noise
1

2

3

DK

g. Too much noise from outside
the park

1

2

3

DK

h. Lack of information about
the Chilkoot Trail

1

2

3

DK

i. Lack of information about
the Taiya River

1

2

3

DK

j. Waiting to use restrooms

1

2

3

DK

k. Dogs off leash on the
Chilkoot Trail
l. Lack of drinking water

1

2

3

DK

1

2

3

DK

m. Lack of public transit access

1

2

3

DK

10. How many people do you think could use the Chilkoot Trail without you feeling too
crowded? To help judge this, we have a series of photographs that show different numbers of
people on the trail. Please look at the photographs on Poster 1.
a. Please rate each photograph by indicating how acceptable you think it is based on the
number of people shown. A rating of -4 means the number of people is “very
unacceptable” and a rating of +4 means the number of people is “very acceptable.” (Circle
one number for each photograph.) [5. VERP1]

Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4
Photo 5

Very Unacceptable
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2

-1
-1
-1
-1
-1

0
0
0
0
0

+1
+1
+1
+1
+1

Very Acceptable
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4

b. Which photograph shows the level of use you would prefer to see on the Chilkoot Trail? [5.
VERP2]
Photo number: _____

6

c. Which photograph shows the level of use that is so unacceptable that you would not come
back to the Chilkoot Trail? (If none of the photographs represent this condition, you may
indicate that.) [Topic Area 6, Individual Perceptions of their Park Experiences]
Photo number: _____
OR
‰ None of the photographs are so unacceptable that I would not come back to the
Chilkoot Trail
d. Which photograph shows the highest level of use that the National Park Service should
allow on the Chilkoot Trail? In other words, at what point should visitors be restricted from
visiting the Chilkoot Trail? (If use should not be restricted at any point represented by the
photographs, or not restricted at all, you may indicate that.) [5. VERP3]
Photo number: _____
OR
‰ None of the photographs show a high enough level of use to restrict visitors from
visiting the Chilkoot Trail.
OR
‰ Visitor use should not be restricted.
e. Which photograph looks most like the number of visitors you typically saw on the Chilkoot
Trail today? [5. VERP4]
Photo number: _____
11. How many people do you think could use the Taiya River without you feeling too crowded?
To help judge this, we have a series of photographs that show different numbers of people
floating on the river. Please look at the photographs on Poster 2.
a. Please rate each photograph by indicating how acceptable you think it is based on the
number of rafts shown. A rating of -4 means the number of rafts is “very
unacceptable” and a rating of +4 means the number of rafts is “very acceptable.” (Circle
one number for each photograph.) [5. VERP1]

Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4
Photo 5

Very Unacceptable
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2

-1
-1
-1
-1
-1

0
0
0
0
0

7

+1
+1
+1
+1
+1

Very Acceptable
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4

b. Which photograph shows the level of use you would prefer to see on the Taiya River? [5.
VERP2]
Photo number: _____
c. Which photograph shows the level of use that is so unacceptable that you would not come
back to the Taiya River? (If none of the photographs represent this condition, you may
indicate that.) [Topic Area 6, Individual Perceptions of their Park Experiences]
Photo number: _____
OR
‰ None of the photographs are so unacceptable that I would not come back to the Taiya
River
d. Which photograph shows the highest level of use that the National Park Service should
allow on the Taiya River? In other words, at what point should visitors be restricted from
rafting on the Taiya River? (If use should not be restricted at any point represented by the
photographs, or not restricted at all, you may indicate that.) [5. VERP3]

Photo number: _____
OR
‰ None of the photographs show a high enough level of use to restrict visitors from
rafting on the Taiya River.
OR
‰ Visitor use should not be restricted.
e. Which photograph looks most like the number of rafts you typically saw on the Taiya River
today? [5. VERP4]

Photo number: _____

8

12.People can visit the Chilkoot Trail and Taiya River on several types of commercial tours. We
would like to know how big tour groups should be and how long tours should last. Please rate
the acceptability of the following range of tour sizes and durations. A rating of -4 means you
think the description is “very unacceptable”, and a rating of +4 means you think the
description is “very acceptable”. (Circle one number for each description.) [5. Variation
VERP1]
Size of tours:
Very Unacceptable
Very Acceptable
6 people
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
+1
+2
+3
+4
8 people
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
+1
+2
+3
+4
10 people
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
+1
+2
+3
+4
12 people
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
+1
+2
+3
+4
14 people
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
+1
+2
+3
+4
16 people
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
+1
+2
+3
+4
18 people
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
+1
+2
+3
+4
20 people
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
+1
+2
+3
+4
Length of tour:
2 hours
3 hours
4 hours
5 hours
6 hours

-4
-4
-4
-4
-4

-3
-3
-3
-3
-3

-2
-2
-2
-2
-2

-1
-1
-1
-1
-1

0
0
0
0
0

+1
+1
+1
+1
+1

+2
+2
+2
+2
+2

+3
+3
+3
+3
+3

+4
+4
+4
+4
+4

a. We would like to know how many tour groups (other than yours) you think it would be
acceptable to see while visiting the Chilkoot Trail and Taiya River. Please indicate how
acceptable you think the following numbers of groups are. A rating of -4 means you think the
number of groups is “very unacceptable” and a rating of +4 means you think the number of
groups is “very acceptable.” (Circle one number for each number of groups.) [5. Variation
VERP1]

1 group
2 groups
3 groups
4 groups
5 groups
6 groups
7 groups
b.

Very Unacceptable
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2

-1
-1
-1
-1
-1
-1
-1

0
0
0
0
0
0
0

+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1

Very Acceptable
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4

Approximately how many other groups did you see on the Chilkoot Trail and Taiya River
today? [5. Variation CROWD17]
Number of other hiking groups ______ Don’t Know ____ Does Not Apply ____
Number of other rafting groups ______ Don’t Know ____ Does Not Apply ____

9

13. How crowded did you feel on the Chilkoot Trail and Taiya River today? (Circle one number
for each location.) [5. CROWD1]

On the Chilkoot Trail

Not at all
Crowded
1
2

Slightly
Crowded
3
4

5

Moderately
Crowded
6
7

Extremely
Crowded
8
9

On the Taiya River

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Overall

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

14a. Did you experience any conflicts today with visitors participating in other recreational
activities? [Topic Area 6, Individual Perceptions of their Park Experiences]
1. Yes
2. No (Skip to question 15.)
b. If YES, please briefly describe the conflict.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
15. How would you rate the following facilities and services at Klondike Gold Rush National
Historical Park during your visit? (Circle one number for each item.) [6.Variation
EVALSERV21]
Very
Did Not
Poor
Poor
Average
Good Excellent
Use
a. Amount of information
provided by commercial
1
2
3
4
5
DNU
guided tours
b. Amount of information
provided by National Park
Service guided tours
c. Amount of information
provided by educational
signs/displays, brochures.

1

2

3

4

5

DNU

1

2

3

4

5

DNU

d. Quality of information
provided by commercial
guided tours

1

2

3

4

5

e. Quality of information
provided by National Park
Service guided tours

1

2

3

4

5

10

DNU

DNU

f. Quality of information
provided by educational
signs/displays, brochures
g. Quality of trail surface
h. Cleanliness of restroom at
the end of your hike

1

2

3

4

5

DNU

1

2

3

4

5

DNU

1

2

3

4

5

DNU

16. How did you reserve your place on the commercial tour you took today? (Circle all
numbers that apply.) [Topic Area 2, Trip/Visit Characteristics]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

When I booked my cruise
On board my ship
On the dock when I got off my ship
Independently in town
Independently via the internet
Tour arrangements made by others
I am not participating in a commercial tour today
Other (Please specify: ________________________________________________)

17a. On a future visit, if a free transit (bus) service existed with service to the Chilkoot Trail,
how likely would it be that you would use such a service? (Circle one number) [3.
FVIS18]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Very likely
Likely
Undecided
Unlikely
Very unlikely

b. In the future, a bus fee to the Chilkoot Trail may be considered by the National Park Service,
with all of the funds collected remaining in the park to support the bus service. If a fee of $10
were charged for bus service to the Chilkoot Trail, would you be willing to pay it? (Circle
one number) [6. EVALFEE1]
1. Yes, likely
2. No, unlikely
3. Not sure

11

18. The following ideas have been suggested to change the ways in which people experience the
Chilkoot Trail and Taiya River. How important would the following changes in services be
to you? (Circle one number for each item.) [3. FVIS20]

a. Provide public
transit to the
Chilkoot Trail and/or
Dyea
b. Provide more
education about the
natural history of the
area
c. Provide more
education about the
geological history of
the area
d. Provide more
education about the
Klondike Gold Rush
e. Provide more
education about the
Chilkoot Trail
f. Provide more
education about the
Taiya River
g. Provide more
education about
Native American
History of the area

Not
important

Somewhat
important

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

19a. In what year where you born? [1. AGE1]
Year born: _____
b. What is your gender? [1. GEND2]
1. Male
2. Female

12

Moderately
Very
important important

Extremely
important

c. What is the highest level of formal education you have completed? (Circle one number.)
[1. ED2]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Less than high school
High school graduate
Vocational/trade school certificate
Some college
Two-year college degree
Four-year college degree
Graduate degree

d. Are you Hispanic or Latino? [1. RACE/ETH2]
1. Yes, Hispanic or Latino
2. No, not Hispanic or Latino
e. What is your race? (Circle one or more) [1. RACE/ETH3]
1. American Indian or Alaska Native
2. Asian
3. Black or African American
4. Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
5. White
f. Which one language do you and members of your group primarily use to communicate with
each other? [1. LANG3]
1. English
2. Other (Specify): _____________________________________________
20. Does anyone in your group have a physical condition that makes it difficult to access or
participate in park activities or services? [1. GR2]
1. Yes
2. No
a. If YES, on this visit what activities or services did the person(s) have difficulty accessing
or participating in? _______________________________________________________
b. Because of the physical condition, what specific problems did the person(s) have?
(Circle all that apply)
1. Hearing (difficulty hearing guides or other staff, even with a hearing aid)
2. Visual (difficulty in seeing exhibits, directional signs, or other aids, even with
prescribed glasses or due to blindness)
3. Mobility (difficulty in accessing facilities, services, or programs, even with walking
aid and/or wheelchairs)
4. Other (Please describe: _______________________________________________)

13

Thank you for your help with this survey! Please return this completed questionnaire to the
surveyor.

PRIVACY ACT and PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT statement:
16 U.S.C. 1a-7 authorizes collection of this information. This information will be used by park managers to better serve the
public. Response to this request is voluntary and anonymous. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. BURDEN
ESTIMATE STATEMENT: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 10 minutes per response. Direct
comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this form to Dave Schirokauer, Biologist-Natural Resource
Program Manager, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, (907)983-9228, [email protected].

14

OMB #: XXXX-XXXX
Expiration: XXXX XX 2010

KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH
DYEA VISITOR SURVEY

Location Survey Administered__________________________
Tour Company_____________________
Commercial or Private Group __________________________
Date:
_____________________
Time:
_____________________
Attendant:
_____________________
Weather:
____ Warm
____ Cool
____ Sunny
____ Partly sunny
____ Cloudy
____ Foggy
____ Rain

1

KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH
DYEA VISITOR SURVEY
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park celebrates the famed Klondike Gold Rush of 1898,
and was created “in order to preserve in public ownership for the benefit and inspiration of the
people of the United States, historic structures and trails associated with the Klondike Gold Rush
of 1898” and to make this valuable part of America’s heritage available to visitors for their
understanding, enjoyment, and appreciation. The National Park Service is currently developing
plans to improve the condition of natural and cultural resources at the Dyea town site. The
information you provide in this survey will help the National Park Service understand how
visitors use this site and how you would like this site to be managed in the future.
1. How many people (including you) are in your personal group today? Your “personal group”
is anyone you are visiting the park with, such as spouse, family, or friends. It doesn’t include the
larger group you may be traveling with, such as a tour group or school groups. [1. GR3]
Number of people: _____
2. On this visit, what kind of personal group (not tour group) are you with? Please circle only
one. [1. GR5]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Alone
Family
Friends
Family and friends
Other (Please specify: ___________________________________________)

3. On this visit, are you and your personal group with any of the following types of groups?
Circle all that apply. [1. Variation GR6]
1. Commercial tour group
2. School/educational group
3. Other organized group/club (Specify: _______________________)
4.

Are you visiting this area as part of a cruise vacation? [Topic Area 2, Trip/Visit
Characteristics]
1. Yes
2. No

5a. Have you visited the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park visitor center (in
downtown Skagway) during your visit? [3. Variation ACT13]
1. Yes
2. No

2

b. When did you learn that Dyea is within a National Historical Park? [1. Variation KNOW2]
1. Before I left home
2. On board my cruise ship
3. When I got off the cruise ship (on the dock or in Skagway)
4. From my tour leader
5. From this survey
6. I did not learn that Dyea is within a National Historical Park
7. Other (please specify):______________________________
c.

Have you visited Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park before this trip? ? [1.
VISITHIS1]
1. Yes
2. No (Skip to question 6.)
If YES, approximately how many times have you visited Klondike Gold Rush National
Historical Park before this trip?
Number of previous visits: _____

6. Do you live in the United States? [1. RES3]
1. Yes (What is your Zip code? __________)
2. No (What country do you live in? _________________________________)
7. We would like to know why you visited the Dyea town site today. Please rate the importance
of the following reasons for visiting Dyea. (Circle one number for each item.) [4. Variation
PREF1]
Not at all
Important

Somewhat
Important

Very
Important

a. To learn about the history of
this area

1

2

3

b. To see and learn about the
natural environment of this
area

1

2

3

c. To participate in a
recreational activity (e.g.
hiking, biking, rafting)

1

2

3

d. To be with family and/or
friends

1

2

3

3

e. To get some exercise

1

2

3

f. To experience solitude

1

2

3

g. Other (Please specify
__________________________

1

2

3

These questions ask about things that made your trip more or less enjoyable.
8a. What did you enjoy most about your visit to the Dyea town site? [6. EVALSERV25]
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
b. What did you enjoy least about your visit to the Dyea town site? [6. EVALSERV24]
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
c. If you could ask the National Park Service to change some things about the way they
manage Dyea, what would you ask them to do? [6. Variation EVALSERV7]
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
d. If you have visited the Dyea town site before, please note any things that have changed for
the better or for the worse since your last visit. [Topic Area 6, Individual Perceptions of
their Park Experiences]
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
e. Do you think visitors are having any negative effects on the natural and/or historical
resources of Dyea or the quality of the visitor experience? [Topic Area 6, Individual
Perceptions of their Park Experiences]
1. Yes
2. No
3. Don’t know
If YES, please explain:______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

4

f. What do you value most about your visit to Dyea? [Topic Area 6, Individual Perceptions of
their Park Experiences]
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

g. What do you consider to be the most important qualities of Dyea? [Topic Area 6, Individual
Perceptions of their Park Experiences]
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

9. Some people have suggested that the following issues might be problems at Dyea. To
what extent do you think the following issues are problems? (Circle one number for each
item.) [6. OPMGMT2]
Not a
Small
Big
Don’t
Problem Problem Problem
Know
a. The number of people at
Dyea
1
2
3
DK
b. The number of people along
trails

1

2

3

DK

c. Large groups of people
along trails

1

2

3

DK

d. Sharing the roads and trails
with other types of visitor
groups (horseback, bicycles,
etc.)

1

2

3

DK

e. Finding your way to Dyea

1

2

3

DK

f. Finding your way around
Dyea

1

2

3

DK

g. Visitors making too much
noise

1

2

3

DK

h. Too much noise from outside
the park

1

2

3

DK

i. Lack of information about
Dyea

1

2

3

DK

5

j. Waiting to use restrooms

1

2

3

DK

k. Dogs off leash

1

2

3

DK

l. Lack of picnicking facilities

1

2

3

DK

m. Lack of drinking water

1

2

3

DK

n. Lack of public transit access

1

2

3

DK

10. We would like to know how many people you think could use the Dyea town site without
you feeling too crowded. To help judge this, we have a series of photographs that show
different numbers of people at the False Front. Please look at the photographs on Poster 1.
a. Please rate each photograph by indicating how acceptable you think it is based on the
number of people shown. A rating of -4 means the number of people is “very
unacceptable” and a rating of +4 means the number of people is “very acceptable.” (Circle
one number for each photograph.) [5. VERP1]

Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4
Photo 5

Very Unacceptable
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2

-1
-1
-1
-1
-1

0
0
0
0
0

+1
+1
+1
+1
+1

Very Acceptable
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4

b. Which photograph shows the level of use you would prefer to see at the False Front? [5.
VERP2]
Photo number: _____
c. Which photograph shows the level of use that is so unacceptable that you would not come
back to the False Front? (If none of the photographs represent this condition, you may
indicate that.) [Topic Area 6, Individual Perceptions of their Park Experiences]
Photo number: _____
OR
‰ None of the photographs are so unacceptable that I would not come back to the False
Front

6

d. Which photograph shows the highest level of use that the National Park Service should
allow at the False Front? In other words, at what point should visitors be restricted from
visiting the False Front? (If use should not be restricted at any point represented by the
photographs, or not restricted at all, you may indicate that.) [5. VERP3]
Photo number: _____
OR
‰ None of the photographs show a high enough level of use to restrict visitors from
visiting the False Front.
OR
‰ Visitor use should not be restricted.
e. Which photograph looks most like the number of visitors you typically saw at the False
Front today? [5. VERP4]
Photo number: _____
11. We would like to know how many people you think could use the Dyea town site without
you feeling too crowded. To help judge this, we have a series of photographs that show
different numbers of people at the Warehouse site. Please look at the photographs on Poster
2.
a. Please rate each photograph by indicating how acceptable you think it is based on the
number of people shown. A rating of -4 means the number of people is “very
unacceptable” and a rating of +4 means the number of people is “very acceptable.” (Circle
one number for each photograph.) [5. VERP1]

Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4
Photo 5

Very Unacceptable
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2

-1
-1
-1
-1
-1

0
0
0
0
0

+1
+1
+1
+1
+1

Very Acceptable
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4

b. Which photograph shows the level of use you would prefer to see at the Warehouse site? [5.
VERP2]
Photo number: _____

7

c. Which photograph shows the level of use that is so unacceptable that you would not come
back to the Warehouse site? (If none of the photographs represent this condition, you may
indicate that.) [Topic Area 6, Individual Perceptions of their Park Experiences]
Photo number: _____
OR
‰ None of the photographs are so unacceptable that I would not come back to the
Warehouse site
d. Which photograph shows the highest level of use that the National Park Service should
allow at the Warehouse site? In other words, at what point should visitors be restricted from
visiting the Warehouse site? (If use should not be restricted at any point represented by the
photographs, or not restricted at all, you may indicate that.) [5. VERP3]
Photo number: _____
OR
‰ None of the photographs show a high enough level of use to restrict visitors from
visiting the Warehouse site.
OR
‰ Visitor use should not be restricted.
e. Which photograph looks most like the number of visitors you typically saw at the
Warehouse site today? [5. VERP4]
Photo number: _____

8

12. We would like to know how many people you think could use the Dyea town site without
you feeling too crowded. To help judge this, we have a series of photographs that show
different numbers of people at the Nelson Slough Foot Bridge area. Please look at the
photographs on Poster 3.
a. Please rate each photograph by indicating how acceptable you think it is based on the
number of people shown. A rating of -4 means the number of people is “very
unacceptable” and a rating of +4 means the number of people is “very acceptable.” (Circle
one number for each photograph.) [5. VERP1]

Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4
Photo 5

Very Unacceptable
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2

-1
-1
-1
-1
-1

0
0
0
0
0

+1
+1
+1
+1
+1

Very Acceptable
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4
+2
+3
+4

b. Which photograph shows the level of use you would prefer to see at the Nelson Slough Foot
Bridge? [5. VERP2]
Photo number: _____
c. Which photograph shows the level of use that is so unacceptable that you would not come
back to the Nelson Slough Foot Bridge? (If none of the photographs represent this
condition, you may indicate that.) [Topic Area 6, Individual Perceptions of their Park
Experiences]
Photo number: _____
OR
‰ None of the photographs are so unacceptable that I would not come back to the Nelson
Slough Foot Bridge.

9

d. Which photograph shows the highest level of use that the National Park Service should
allow at the Nelson Slough Foot Bridge? In other words, at what point should visitors be
restricted from visiting the Nelson Slough Foot Bridge? (If use should not be restricted at
any point represented by the photographs, or not restricted at all, you may indicate that.) [5.
VERP3]
Photo number: _____
OR
‰ None of the photographs show a high enough level of use to restrict visitors from
visiting the Nelson Slough Foot Bridge.
OR
‰ Visitor use should not be restricted.
e. Which photograph looks most like the number of visitors you typically saw at the Nelson
Slough Foot Bridge today? [5. VERP4]
Photo number: _____
13. People can visit Dyea on a several types of commercial tours. We would like to know how
big tour groups should be and how long tours should last. Please rate the acceptability of the
following range of tour sizes and durations. A rating of -4 means you think the description is
“very unacceptable” and a rating of +4 means you think the description is “very acceptable.”
(Circle one number for each description.) [5. Variation VERP1]
Very Unacceptable
Size of tours:
6 people
8 people
10 people
12 people
14 people
16 people
18 people
20 people

-4
-4
-4
-4
-4
-4
-4
-4

-3
-3
-3
-3
-3
-3
-3
-3

Very Acceptable

-2
-2
-2
-2
-2
-2
-2
-2

-1
-1
-1
-1
-1
-1
-1
-1

10

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1

+2
+2
+2
+2
+2
+2
+2
+2

+3
+3
+3
+3
+3
+3
+3
+3

+4
+4
+4
+4
+4
+4
+4
+4

Very Unacceptable
Length of tour:
2 hours
3 hours
4 hours
5 hours
6 hours

-4
-4
-4
-4
-4

-3
-3
-3
-3
-3

Very Acceptable
-2
-2
-2
-2
-2

-1
-1
-1
-1
-1

0
0
0
0
0

+1
+1
+1
+1
+1

+2
+2
+2
+2
+2

+3
+3
+3
+3
+3

+4
+4
+4
+4
+4

14a. We would like to know how many groups (other than yours) you think it would be
acceptable to see while visiting Dyea. Please indicate how acceptable you think the following
numbers of groups are at Dyea. A rating of -4 means you think the number of groups is “very
unacceptable” and a rating of +4 means you think the number of groups is “very acceptable.”
(Circle one number for each number of groups.) [5. Variation VERP1]

1 group
2 groups
3 groups
4 groups
5 groups
6 groups
7 groups

b.

Very Unacceptable
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2
-4
-3
-2

-1
-1
-1
-1
-1
-1
-1

0
0
0
0
0
0
0

+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1

+2
+2
+2
+2
+2
+2
+2

Very Acceptable
+3
+4
+3
+4
+3
+4
+3
+4
+3
+4
+3
+4
+3
+4

Approximately how many other groups did you see in Dyea today? [5. Variation
CROWD17]
Number of other groups ______ Don’t Know ____ Does Not Apply ____

15. How crowded did you feel at the Dyea town site today? (Circle one number for each
location.) [5. CROWD1]
Not at all
Slightly
Moderately
Extremely
Crowded
Crowded
Crowded
Crowded
a. At the False Front
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
b. Along the trails

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

c. At the Warehouse site

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

d. At the Nelson Slough
Foot Bridge

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

e. Overall

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

11

16. Which of the following activities did you participate in today? (Circle one number for each
item.) [3. ACT22]

a. Picnicking
b. Bicycling
c. Horseback riding
d. Hiking on a trail
e. Walking your dog
f. Viewing wildlife
g. Van tour
h. Photography
i. Bird watching
j. Other

Yes
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

No
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

17. Which of the following facilities/areas did you visit/use today? (Circle one number for each
item.) [3. ACT19]

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

The trails
The picnic area
A restroom
The Flats
The False Front
The Warehouse site
The Nelson Slough Crossing
A campground

Yes
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

No
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

18.a. Did you experience any conflicts today with visitors participating in other recreation
activities at Dyea or on trails around Dyea? [Topic Area 6, Individual Perceptions of their
Park Experiences]
1. Yes
2. No (Skip to question 19.)
b. Briefly describe the conflict.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

12

19. How would you rate the following facilities and services at Dyea? (Circle one
number for each item.) [6. Variation EVALSERV21]
Very
Poor

Poor

Average

Good

Excellent

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

DNU

1

2

3

4

5

DNU

d. Quality of information
provided by commercial
guided tours

1

2

3

4

5

e. Quality of information
provided by National Park
Service guided tours

1

2

3

4

5

f. Quality of information
provided by educational
signs/displays, brochures

1

2

3

4

5

DNU

g. Number and quality of
trails

1

2

3

4

5

DNU

h. Trail signage
(directions, distances)

1

2

3

4

5

DNU

1

2

3

4

5

DNU

a. Amount of information
provided by commercial
guided tours
b. Amount of information
provided by National Park
Service guided tours
c. Amount of information
provided by educational
signs/displays, brochures

i. Availability of
picnic tables

13

Did Not
Use
DNU

DNU

DNU

20. How did you reserve your place on the commercial tour you took today? (Circle all
numbers that apply.) [Topic Area 2, Trip/Visit Characteristics]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

When I booked my cruise
On board my ship
On the dock when I got off my ship
Independently in town
Independently via the internet
Tour arrangements made by others
I am not participating in a commercial tour today
Other (Please specify: ________________________________________________)

21a. On a future visit, if a free transit (bus) service existed with service to the Chilkoot Trail,
how likely would it be that you would use such a service? (Circle one number) [3.
FVIS18]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Very likely
Likely
Undecided
Unlikely
Very unlikely

b. In the future, a bus fee to the Chilkoot Trail may be considered by the National Park Service,
with all of the funds collected remaining in the park to support the bus service. If a fee of $10
were charged for bus service to the Chilkoot Trail, would you be willing to pay it? (Circle
one number) [6. EVALFEE1]
1. Yes, likely
2. No, unlikely
3. Not sure
22. How long did you stay at Dyea today? Please list partial hours as ¼. ½, or ¾.
Number of hours _________ [3. TRIPC11]

14

23. The following ideas have been suggested to change the way in which Dyea is
managed. How important would the following changes in management be to you? (Circle
one number for each item.) [3. FVIS20]

a. Provide public
transit to the Dyea
town site and/or the
Chilkoot Trail.
b. Provide more
education about the
natural history of the
area
c. Provide more
education about the
geological history of
the area
d. Provide more
education about the
Klondike Gold Rush
e. Provide more
education about the
Dyea town site
f. Provide more
education about
Native American
history in the area
g. Recreate some of the
elements of the
former town site
(clear some former
streets, clear historic
views)

Not
important

Somewhat
important

Moderately
important

Very
important

Extremely
important

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

15

24. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement: I was able to get a sense
that a town site once existed in Dyea? [Topic Area 6, Individual Perceptions of their Park
Experiences]

Strongly
disagree

Disagree

Neither
agree nor
disagree

1

2

3

I was able to get a sense that a town
once existed in Dyea

Agree

Strongly
agree

4

5

25a. In what year where you born? [1. AGE1]
Year born: _____
b. What is your gender? [1. GEND2]
1. Male
2. Female
c. What is the highest level of formal education you have completed? (Circle one number.)
[1. ED2]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Less than high school
High school graduate
Vocational/trade school certificate
Some college
Two-year college degree
Four-year college degree
Graduate degree

d. Are you Hispanic or Latino? [1. RACE/ETH2]
1. Yes, Hispanic or Latino
2. No, not Hispanic or Latino
e. What is your race? (Circle one or more) [1. RACE/ETH3]
1. American Indian or Alaska Native
2. Asian
3. Black or African American
4. Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
5. White
f. Which one language do you and members of your group primarily use to communicate
with each other? [1. LANG3]
1. English
2. Other (Specify): _____________________________________________

16

26. Does anyone in your group have a physical condition that makes it difficult to access or
participate in park activities or services? [1. GR2]
1. Yes
2. No
a. If YES, on this visit what activities or services did the person(s) have difficulty accessing
or participating in? _______________________________________________________
b. Because of the physical condition, what specific problems did the person(s) have?
(Circle all that apply)
1. Hearing (difficulty hearing guides or other staff, even with a hearing aid)
2. Visual (difficulty in seeing exhibits, directional signs, or other aids, even with
prescribed glasses or due to blindness)
3. Mobility (difficulty in accessing facilities, services, or programs, even with walking
aid and/or wheelchairs)
4. Other (Please describe: _______________________________________________)

Thank you for your help with this survey! Please return this completed questionnaire to the
surveyor.
PRIVACY ACT and PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT statement:
16 U.S.C. 1a-7 authorizes collection of this information. This information will be used by park managers to better serve the
public. Response to this request is voluntary and anonymous. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. BURDEN
ESTIMATE STATEMENT: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 12 minutes per response. Direct
comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this form to Dave Schirokauer, Biologist-Natural Resource
Program Manager, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, (907)983-9228, [email protected].

17

KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH SURVEY LOG
Date: ____________________
ID
Number

Time of
Contact

Refused

Previously
Sampled

Weather: ___________________________
Location

Group
size

Children
under 18
present?

With
commercial
tour?

Interviewer ____________________________
Comments/Reason for refusal (language, time, etc.)