LONG

WONG before the National Forests were established men went hunting in the woods and fishing in the streams. Camping and picnicking in the wilds had an ancient priority over the administration of those same areas by the Federal Government for the production of timber and the conservation of water. These conditions were not changed by the assignment of the lands to the care of the National Forest Service, except that such recreation uses were multiplied and intensified.

It is of course inevitable that the Forests should be so used. Outdoor recreation is a necessity of civilized life, and as civilization becomes more intensive the demand grows keener. The vast extent of our present National Forests, their enticing wildness, and the notable beauty of the native landscape lure men and women thither by hundreds of thousands. The really enormous extent and value of this kind of forest product has been generally overlooked in America.

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This oversight, however, is only local and temporary. In older countries, where public forests have existed for centuries, the recreation use of such areas has always been recognized. It would be perfectly easy to show that recreation was, in fact, the original and primary purpose in the creation of public forests. The ancient law of England is most significant on this point. From before Norman days until the reign of Charles II the legal definition of a forest stood as follows:

A certain territorie of wooddy grounds and fruitfull pasture, priviledged for wild beastes and foules of Forest Chase and Warren to rest and abide in, in the safe protection of the King, for his princely delight and pleasure, which territorie of ground, so priviledged, is meered and bounded with irremoueable markes, meres, and boundaries, wether knowen by matter of record or else by prescription.1

Passing from ancient law in England to present conditions in the United States of America, we find that recreation uses on the National Forests are rapidly increasing, and that they have reached a stage where more definite and systematic provision must be made for them in the plan of administration. In view of this situation, the Forester, early in 1917, commissioned the writer to make an extended examination in the field and to report to him as to existing conditions of recreation, with recommendations of methods and general policies.

The present report is based on a five months' field study of existing conditions. Visits were made to all the Forest districts, and to a considerable number of individual Forests. Special attention was naturally given to those regions where recreational developments appear to be most pressing. In this way it was possible to hold extended consultations with Forest officers having supervision of the lands thus used, and also with those private citizens who are using them.

It should be said that the point of view of the writer is that of the professional landscape engineer. From this standpoint the

'Townley, "English Woodlands," p. 1. London, 1910.

landscape of the wide Forest areas has very great esthetic and human value. The mountains, glaciers, lakes, streams, woods, and natural parks contribute largely and effectively to human health and enjoyment. This contribution has a demonstrable value. The fundamental problem of the landscape engineer would then be to release these values, to make the human resources of the Forests accessible to visitors, and not merely accessible but intelligible and effective.

The moment that recreation (using this word in a very liberal meaning) is recognized as a legitimate Forest utility the way is opened for a more intelligent administration of the National Forests. Recreation then takes its proper place along with all other utilities. In each particular case these utilities are weighed against one another and a plan of administration devised to adjust and harmonize, to the utmost point practicable, the various forms of use so that the largest net total of public good may be secured. Where one must be subordinated to another, preference is given to that of highest value to the public.

With these general considerations in mind we may take a look at the National Forests, observing the extent and nature of current recreation activities.

Existing Recre

ation Uses

The simplest form of recreation is found in hiking, packing, or automobiling through the Forests. There have already been provided for administrative uses (fire protection, etc.), thousands of miles of trails. These are built to standardized specifications, the most popular type ("Class A trails") providing for a safe, clean footway, 4 feet wide, laid at a maximum gradient of 6 per cent. Admirable examples of this kind of trail were examined in the Natural Bridge Area of the Appalachian Forest in Virginia. Here, in a mountain country readily accessible to the large eastern centers of population, these trails lead through splendid forests with inspiring landscape outlooks, across

A camping party in the Uncompahgre National Forest. Forest Service fire tool box under tree on right

delightful streams and amidst surroundings well adapted to camping and all the more rigorous forms of outdoor exploration.

Yet this is merely a sample. Similar trails by hundreds of miles are found in the Forests of Colorado, California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, and indeed wherever the Forest Service has established its administration.

Besides these trails, suitable for foot passengers and pack animals, there are within the Forests other hundreds of miles of roadway fit for wagon traffic and for automobiling. Much of this mileage has been built by the Forest Service, usually in cooperation with local (county or State) authorities. But, however financed, the finished roads lie far and tempting through the Forests. Thither the camper in his wagon and the tourist in his automobile take their way, and here they linger for days and weeks at a time. The mountains, streams, and woodlands are laid open to thousands of persons in this way, and no one counting