Nontraditional Activities and Interpretation at National Parks: Conflict or Coexistence?

This study examined some nontraditional uses of a national park. During 2003, a survey was conducted to determine the activities and motives of visitors at Cowpens National Battlefield (CNB) in South Carolina. A total of 301 visitor groups completed questionnaires (77.4 percent response rate). A majority of visitors (53 percent) had been to the park two or more times in the past 12 months. About 87 percent stayed one to two hours per visit. Slightly over 40 percent of respondents said that exercise was their primary reason for visitation and nearly 60 percent had participated in fitness activities on previous trips. In contrast, interpretation was mentioned only 18 percent of the time when visitors were asked what they “liked most” about CNB. Although fitness is not resource-dependent, it is consistent with “healthy” activities promoted at national parks. Perhaps interpretation can be used to merge exercise with education, thus broadening the base of support for public lands.