Scenic Beauty Perceptions Along the ROS

The relationship between types of recreation experiences described by the recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) and perceived scenic satisfactions from varying amounts of scenic beauty was investigated. Respodents (N = 196) were classified into several subsets preferring "primitive" versus more "motorized" experiences and activities based upon motivations, setting preferences and favorite activities. They evaluated forest landscapes for scenic beauty and for scenic satisfaction as settings for favorite activities. Differences in recreation experience preferences accounted for only 10% of the explained variation in perceived scenic satisfactions, with shared scenic beauty perceptions accounting for the rest. All recreators, except hunters, wanted scenic beauty, but differences among types of recreators were observed in their standards for, and discriminations of, scenic satisfaction in settings. More primitive activities were most demanding of, and sensitive to, differences in scenic beauty. More urban activities were also more demanding of scenic beauty but were less sensitive to differences in that quality.