Survey of Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry Permit System.

OMB Control Number 1024-0224

Expiration Date:

Rocky Mountain National Park

2020 Timed Entry Permit Survey

Rocky Mountain National Park would like feedback from visitors who obtained a Timed Entry Permit from Recreation.gov between June and October 2020. Participants are asked to provide feedback on their experience while visiting the park under the implementation of the Timed Entry Permit System, expectations for their visit to Rocky Mountain National Park, and management topics at Rocky Mountain National Park.

The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete and all responses are anonymous. Visitors who obtained more than one permit during the system will have one opportunity to respond. Please read each question prompt and instruction carefully and provide responses in regard to your visit.

PAPERWORK REDUCTION and PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT: The Paperwork Reduction Act requires us to tell you why we are collecting this information, how we will use it, and whether or not you have to respond. We are authorized by the National Park Service Protection Interpretation and research in System (54 USC §100702) to collect this information. The routine uses of this information will be for the benefit of NPS Managers and Planning staff in Rocky Mountain National Park (ROMO) in future initiatives related to the visitor use and resource management within the site. The data collected will be summarized to evaluate visitor uses and expectations during their visit at ROMO. Your responses to this collection are completely voluntary and will remain anonymous. You can end the process at any time and will not be penalized in any way for choosing to do so. All contact information collected for the purpose of the follow-up survey will be destroyed at the end of the collection period and no personal identifiable records will be maintained or stored for any purposes. Data collected will only be reported in aggregates and no individually identifiable responses will be reported. A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number 1024-0224. We estimate that it will take about 15 minutes to complete this on-site questionnaire. You may send comments concerning the burden estimates or any aspect of this information collection to: Dr. Jeremy Sage, Associate Director, Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, 32 Campus Dr. #1234, Missoula, MT 59803; 406-243-5552 (phone) [email protected](email); or Phadrea Ponds NPS Information Collection Coordinator at [email protected] (email).

VISITOR SURVEY QUESTIONS

Classification/Demographic Questions

1. What is your age?

16-24 years old 25-34 years old 35-44 years old 45-54 years old

55-64 years old 65-74 years old 75 years or older

2. What is your gender? Please select one.

• Male

• Female

• Prefer to self-describe: _______________

• Prefer not to say

3. How many people were in your personal group, including you? If you made multiple reservations, please indicate your average group size across visits.

_____ Number of people

4. Are you Hispanic or Latino?  Yes  No

5. Which of these categories best indicates your race? Answer only for yourself. Please select one or more.

American Indian or Alaska Native White Black/African American Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

East Asian or Asian American South Asian or Indian American Middle Eastern or Arab American Other

6. Which region of the country do you live in? (Please select one response.)

• Midwest – (IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI)

• Northeast – (CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT)

• Southeast – (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV)

• Southwest – (AZ, NM, OK, TX)

• West – (AK, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY)

7. Was this visit your first time in Rocky Mountain National Park?  Yes  No

8. Please indicate your level of agreement or disagreement with each of the statements. Please select only one response for each item.

	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neutral	Agree	Strongly Agree
Rocky Mountain National Park means a lot to me.	1	2	3	4	5
I am very attached to Rocky Mountain National Park.	1	2	3	4	5
I feel no commitment to Rocky Mountain National Park.	1	2	3	4	5
I wouldn’t substitute any other place for the access to Wilderness in Rocky Mountain National Park.	1	2	3	4	5
I get more satisfaction out of visiting Rocky Mountain National Park than from visiting any other public open spaces or lands.	1	2	3	4	5
I enjoy scenic view in Rocky Mountain National Park more than in any other park.	1	2	3	4	5
Viewsheds of tundra landscapes in Rocky Mountain National Park are more important than scenic views in any other place.	1	2	3	4	5
Few people know Rocky Mountain National Park like I do.	1	2	3	4	5
Rocky Mountain National Park is a special place for my family.	1	2	3	4	5
Many important family memories are tied to Rocky Mountain National Park.	1	2	3	4	5
Rocky Mountain National Park contributes to the character of my community.	1	2	3	4	5

9. How much total time did you spend in Rocky Mountain National Park during your visit? If you made multiple reservations, please indicate the average total time spent during your visits.

• Between 1 and 2 hours

• Between 2 and 4 hours

• Between 4 and 6 hours

• Between 6 and 8 hours

• More than 8 hours

10. When you planned this trip to Rock Mountain National Park, did you think about the possibility that it might be difficult to find parking here? (Please select one response)

• Yes

• No

11. How satisfied were you with your parking location during your visit?

• Very satisfied

• Satisfied

• Neither

• Dissatisfied

• Very dissatisfied

12. To what extent did the following factors impact your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park? (Check one box for each statement.)

	Level of impact
	Not at all	Very little	Somewhat	To a great extent	Not applicable
Traffic congestion on the roads	1	2	3	4	5
Traffic congestion at entrance stations	1	2	3	4	5
Parking congestion/shortages	1	2	3	4	5
Traffic congestion at roadside pullouts	1	2	3	4	5
Crowding at scenic overlooks	1	2	3	4	5
Lack of shuttle service/options	1	2	3	4	5
Unacceptable shuttle wait times	1	2	3	4	5
Parking congestion/shortages on Bear Lake Road	1	2	3	4	5
Traffic congestion on Bear Lake Road	1	2	3	4	5
Bear Lake Road restrictions	1	2	3	4	5
Could not obtain a permit for my desired entrance time	1	2	3	4	5

13. How much of a problem do you feel traffic congestion is at different locations in Rocky Mountain National Park? (Please select one number for each item.)

	Not a Problem	Small Problem	Big Problem	Don’t Know/No Opinion
At the park entrance/exit	1	2	3	DK
Driving on park roads	1	2	3	DK
In parking areas	1	2	3	DK
At scenic overlooks	1	2	3	DK
In parking areas along the Bear Lake Road corridor	1	2	3	DK
In parking areas at primary destinations, excluding Bear Lake Road	1	2	3	DK

14. Overall, compared to what you expected, how much traffic congestion did you experience during your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park?

• I didn’t know what to expect

• Less traffic congestion than I expected

• About the same as I expected

• More traffic congestion than I expected

15. Overall, compared to what you expected, how much traffic congestion did you experience during your visit to the Bear Lake Road corridor?

• I did not visit Bear Lake Road

• I didn’t know what to expect

• Less traffic congestion than I expected

• About the same as I expected

• More traffic congestion than I expected

16. Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following statement regarding your concerns while using the trails at Rocky Mountain National Park. Please mark [X] only one for each item. (Strongly disagree; Disagree; Neutral; Agree; Strongly agree)

	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neutral	Agree	Strongly agree
Too many other hikers	1	2	3	4	5
Adequate information and signs at the trailhead	1	2	3	4	5
Adequate signs marking the trail route	1	2	3	4	5
Sufficient parking access at the trailhead	1	2	3	4	5
High noise level of other hikers	1	2	3	4	5
Unfavorable actions or behaviors of other hikers	1	2	3	4	5
Poor quality of trail surface	1	2	3	4	5
Too much human waste on or near trails	1	2	3	4	5
Too much litter on the trail	1	2	3	4	5
Too many social trails	1	2	3	4	5
Not enough trails that go to places I want to go	1	2	3	4	5

17. During your visit under the Timed Entry Permit System, how much of a problem did you think the following issues are at Rocky Mountain National Park? (1) Not a problem, (2) Small problem (3) Big Problem, (DK) Don’t Know/No Opinion

	Not a Problem	Small Problem	Big Problem	Don’t Know/No Opinion
Social trails and trampled vegetation	1	2	3	DK
Crowding on trails	1	2	3	DK
Traffic and parking congestion	1	2	3	DK
Finding solitude experiences	1	2	3	DK
Quality of interactions with park staff	1	2	3	DK
Conditions of infrastructure, such as vault toilets and backcountry privies	1	2	3	DK
Improper disposal of human waste and trash	1	2	3	DK
Visitors too close to wildlife	1	2	3	DK
Air quality near the roadways	1	2	3	DK
Degradation of tundra landscape	1	2	3	DK

18. During your visit under the Timed Entry Permit System, how crowded did you feel while visiting in Rocky Mountain National Park during your visit?

Not at all crowded	Slightly crowded	Moderately crowded	Very crowded	Extremely crowded
				

19. During your visit under the Timed Entry Permit System, how did the number of people you encountered at Rocky Mountain National Park compare to what you expected?

A lot less than what I expected A little less than what I expected About what I expected

A little more than what I expected A lot more than I expected I did not have any expectations

20. During your visit under the Timed Entry Permit System, how did the number of people you encountered in the Bear Lake Road Corridor compare to what you expected?

• I did not visit the Bear Lake Road Corridor.

A lot less than what I expected A little less than what I expected About what I expected

A little more than what I expected A lot more than I expected I did not have any expectations

21. Please rate the quality of your expected experience in the following areas based on your visit within Rocky Mountain National Park. (Please select only one response for each item.) \

Quality of…	Not Applicable	Very Poor	Poor	Average	Good	Very Good
Opportunities to Learn (e.g. learn about history, plans, and conservation)	0	1	2	3	4	5
Experience Nature (e.g. view scenic beauty, enjoying natural quiet)	0	1	2	3	4	5
Wildlife Viewing (e.g. view wildlife in nature)	0	1	2	3	4	5
Resting and Relaxation (e.g. experience solitude and calmness)	0	1	2	3	4	5
Maintaining Physical Health/Recreating (e.g. exercise and improve physical health)	0	1	2	3	4	5
Spending Time with Family (e.g. spend time with family and friends)	0	1	2	3	4	5

22. The following is a list of characteristics commonly associated with Wilderness activities. Please indicate how important each of the items listed below was to you as a reason to use the trails in the park during your visit. Select one number for each item. If you don’t know, please select “DK.”

	Not at all Important	Slightly Important	Moderately Important	Very Important	Extremely Important	Don’t Know/Not Sure
Remoteness	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Solitude	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Primitive recreation	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Pristine natural environment	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Physically challenging/demanding	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Requiring self-reliance	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Fostering a sense of humility toward nature	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Fostering intimacy/connection with others in your group	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Fostering a spiritual connection	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Fostering immersion in nature	1	2	3	4	5	DK

23. The following items are problems you may have run into during your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness. Please indicate how much of a problem each item was for you.

	Not a Problem	Small Problem	Big Problem	Don’t Know/No Opinion
Overall trail conditions	1	2	3	DK
Rutted trails	1	2	3	DK
Horse manure on the trail	1	2	3	DK
Stock damage to vegetation	1	2	3	DK
Human damage to vegetation	1	2	3	DK
Too many social trails	1	2	3	DK
Groups with too many horses	1	2	3	DK
Groups with too many people	1	2	3	DK
Litter	1	2	3	DK
Improper human waste disposal	1	2	3	DK
Aircraft noise	1	2	3	DK

24. Please rate your level of concern for the following visitor-caused impacts to resources in this park. (Select one number for each item.)

	Not at all concerned	Slightly concerned	Moderately concerned	Very concerned	Extremely concerned
Trampling vegetation and fragile plants	1	2	3	4	5
Eroding soils	1	2	3	4	5
Polluting water	1	2	3	4	5
Feeding, approaching, or otherwise disturbing wildlife	1	2	3	4	5
Making noise that masks the sounds of nature	1	2	3	4	5
Air pollution from roadways	1	2	3	4	5
Improper disposal of human waste	1	2	3	4	5

25. On your visit(s) to Rocky Mountain National Park, how important are each of the following characteristics or resources to you? (Please select one response for each item.)

	Not at all Important	Slightly Important	Moderately Important	Very Important	Extremely Important	Don’t Know/Not Sure
Clean air	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Geologic/rock formations	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Scenic drives	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Scenic views	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Recreational opportunities (hiking, camping, biking, etc.)	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Human/cultural history	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Solitude	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Sounds of nature	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Plants and animals	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Dark/starry night sky	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Learning/educational opportunities	1	2	3	4	5	DK

26. Imagine that you discovered during your next planned trip to Rocky Mountain National Park that your most preferred area was slightly more environmentally damaged than you normally find acceptable. What would you do? (Please select one response.)

• I would make an exception and still participate in my primary activity in this zone

• I would still participate in my primary activity, but elsewhere in Rocky Mountain National Park.

• I would temporarily participate in a different activity in Rocky Mountain National Park.

• I would temporarily participate in a different activity, but outside Rocky Mountain National Park.

27. How would you rate the overall quality of the Timed Entry Permit System at Rocky Mountain National Park?

Extremely poor quality	Poor quality	Neither poor or good quality	Good quality	Extremely good quality
				

28. Please rate the quality of your interaction with staff (in-person, over the phone, or online) at Rocky Mountain National Park. Please select one for each. (Very poor, Poor, Average, Good, Very good)

	Very poor	Poor	Average	Good	Very good
Helpfulness	1	1	1	1	1
Courteousness	2	2	2	2	2
Quality of information provided	3	3	3	3	3

29. Should the number of people allowed to visit Rocky Mountain National Park each day be limited if it is needed for any of the following reasons, even if it limits when you can visit? (Check one box for each reason.)

Should the number of visitors per day be limited?	Yes	No	Don’t Know/Not Sure
To protect the quality of visitor experiences (i.e. prevent crowding)	1	2	DK
To protect visitor and staff safety	1	2	DK
To reduce environmental impacts	1	2	DK
To protect natural and cultural resources	1	2	DK
To preserve facilities and infrastructure	1	2	DK
To improve park operations	1	2	DK

30. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements concerning management of visitation in Rocky Mountain National Park. Select one number for each option.)

	Strongly Agree	Agree	Neutral	Disagree	Strongly Disagree	Don’t Know/Not Sure
If people feel crowded, use limits should be imposed	1	2	3	4	5	DK
If visitor-caused resource impacts are high, use limits should be imposed	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Use limits should never be imposed, even if use is high	1	2	3	4	5	DK
If solitude is lost, use limits should be imposed	1	2	3	4	5	DK
If facilities such as restrooms or visitor centers are overwhelmed, use limits should be imposed	1	2	3	4	5	DK
If congestion and crowding cause safety concerns for visitors and staff, use limits should be imposed	1	2	3	4	5	DK
If congestion and crowding delay park operations, use limits should be imposed	1	2	3	4	5	DK

31. How important is each of these items to your acceptance of Rocky Mountain National Park management decisions?

In order for me to accept a management decision, it is important that:	How important?
	Not at all	Slightly	Moderately	Very	Extremely
Actions help support the local community	1	2	3	4	5
Actions protect natural resources at Rocky Mountain National Park	1	2	3	4	5
I trust in the decisions of the park manager	1	2	3	4	5
I understand the objectives of a proposed management action	1	2	3	4	5
The management action is clearly communicated to the public with extensive outreach	1	2	3	4	5
Science plays a role in management decisions	1	2	3	4	5
The decision is based on economic consequences	1	2	3	4	5
The decision is based on environmental consequences	1	2	3	4	5
The decision maintains access for recreation	1	2	3	4	5
The decision protects natural resources over human use	1	2	3	4	5
The decisions improve safety for visitors and park staff	1	2	3	4	5

32. Please rate your level of support or opposition for the following transportation management options for managing visitor use in Rocky Mountain National Park. (Please select one response for each item.)

	Strongly support	Slightly support	Neither	Slightly oppose	Strongly oppose	Don’t know/not sure
Require day-use reservation for vehicles to enter Rocky Mountain National Park	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Require day-use reservation for vehicles to enter the Bear Lake Road corridor	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Offer more frequent park shuttle bus service in the Bear Lake Road corridor	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Increase hours of operation for the Bear Lake Road shuttles	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Limit the number of private vehicles entering Rocky Mountain National Park	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Limit the number of private vehicles entering the Bear Lake Road corridor	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Add shuttle bus service to more areas of the park	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Require use of the park-and-ride shuttle system without automobile parking inside the Bear Lake Road corridor	1	2	3	4	5	DK

33. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. (Check one box for each statement or indicate that you don’t know.) (Strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, strongly agree, don’t know)

• Visitors and their use should be managed more

• Visitors and their use of the park should be managed less

• The Timed Entry Permit System has improved Rocky Mountain National Park

• Laws and rules are easily found and understood

• Laws and rules in the park should be enforced more

• Laws and rules in the park should be enforced less

• Fees charged at several developed facilities are appropriate

• If needed by the park, fees could be charged at additional developed facilities (such as a permit for the Bear Lake Road Corridor)

• Where necessary, a permit or reservation system should be used to better manage visitor use

34. Several ways to reduce congestion, crowding, and resource degradation at Rocky Mountain National Park are being considered. Which option would you prefer? Please select one.

• Limit the number of vehicles entering the park daily

• Limit the amount of people entering the park daily

• Distribute visitation throughout the day

• Require permit access for specific areas of the park (e.g. Bear Lake Road Corridor; Longs Peak)

• Extend shuttle services to other areas in the park

• Shuttle service access only to the Bear Lake Road Corridor during peak visitation

• Increase stewardship educational programs and outreach

35. Please indicate the extent to which you believe other users of Rocky Mountain National Park would agree or disagree that the Timed Entry Permit System did help to provide:

	Strongly agree	Somewhat agree	Neither agree nor disagree	Somewhat disagree	Strongly disagree	Don’t know/not sure
Remoteness	1	2	3	4	5	DK
An increase in the number of wildlife in the area	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Primitive recreation/few facilities	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Pristine natural environment	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Protection for native species	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Opportunity to experience Solitude	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Intimate connection with nature	1	2	3	4	5	DK
Learning/educational opportunities	1	2	3	4	5	DK
A safer experience	1	2	3	4	5	DK

36. If you were to visit in the future, would you prefer a reservation system to obtain entrance permits for Rocky Mountain National Park?

• Yes

• No

37. If you were a park manager planning for the future of Rocky Mountain National Park, what would you propose? Please be specific (Open ended response)

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