Figure
5-2.
Functional
relationship
diagram.
has slopes steeper than 10 percent.' As a rule-of-
accommodate more campsites per acre than a
100-acre open field. This activity can take place
thumb, about 2 percent of the total campsites
should be developed and reserved specifically for
in areas that are moderately environmentally
use by the handicapped. Good drainage is essen-
sensitive because of problems with vegetation,
tial to any camping site. Good drainage requires
slope or soils. Such areas cannot withstand ac-
topography with sufficient slope (5 percent being
tive recreation use but are appropriate for this
ideal for camping areas ) and soils which allow
low-density form of use.
water to permeate quickly to avoid muddy con-
b. Camping, tent and trailer (developed sites).
ditions. The soils should also withstand contin-
Recreation participants in this form of activity
uous traffic without adverse compaction or
will generally expect, tolerate and accept higher
erosion.
use densities than for primitive camping. How-
ever, the size of the recreation area affects this
c. Hiking. Recreation participants engaged in
use. A generally unfavorable cumulative effect
hiking on trails in or near an urban or built-up
is perceived when there are many recreation
area will generally expect, tolerate and accept
participants located over a very large area. For
higher use densities than participants who travel
this reason, very large activity areas should gen-
to remote locations to engage in this activity.
erally be developed and operated at a lower ca-
Also, participants on trails with scenic natural
features and interesting views or vistas will tol-
pacity level than smaller areas. The number and
erate higher use densities than on a trail rela-
quality of site amenities also affects a person's
willingness to tolerate higher levels of use, and
tively lacking in such amenities. The type of
vegetation and topographic characteristics found
so does proximity to off-site convenience, com-
fort and support facilities. This relatively inten-
along the trail affects the perceived closeness
sive recreation use requires a site with only slight-
of other groups of hikers. Also, paved or grav-
to-moderate environmental constraints. The type
elled trail surfaces can sustain more use than
of vegetation on the site determines both the
unimproved trails. Steep terrain is appropriate
degree of privacy afforded by the site and the
for trail development provided switchbacks are
used to keep trail gradients shallow and users
ease of locating and constructing campsites.
Lower campsite density is indicated if the area
are discouraged from shortcutting the switch-
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