Glacier National Park

Niche News: Nonresident Visitor Profiles
Niche News: Nonresident Visitor Profiles: Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks

TCR 2003-1
What the People Think - Glacier National Park and Vicinity
(instructions to download and print)
Author: Norma Nickerson
May 2003, 26pp., $11.00
This report brings together many studies and articles written over the years about people and places in and around the Flathead Valley area of Montana. The report was written for the National Parks Conservation Association for use in their report, "Gateway to Glacier, the Emerging Economy of Flathead County." The NPCA report can accessed at http://www.npca.org/across_the_nation/npca_in_the_field/northern_rockies/gateway/default.asp

RR 2002-10
The Montana Nonresident Visitor: A Comparison of Glacier, Yellowstone, and Non-Park Visitors
(instructions to download and print)
Author: Norma Nickerson
September 2002, 30pp., $12.00
This report provides a profile of nonresident visitors to Montana who visited one or both of the national parks or neither park. It is based on a four-month study period from June through September of 2001 and describes visitors in terms of demographics, trip characteristics, travel behavior, visitor satisfaction and observation.

TH 2002-1
Exploring Visitor Experiences on Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park
(instructions to download and print)
Author: Robert Giordano
August 2002, 117 pp., $25.00
This research was designed to assist park managers in determining future changes to Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTSR) by describing and analyzing the experiences on the road today. Forty on-site interviews were conducted at Logan Pass (the pinnacle of GTSR) with drivers, passengers in a car, cyclists, and shuttle riders. A primary goal was to gain a greater understanding of the ‘mobility dynamics,’ both within modes and between modes. To attain this goal, three research questions were addressed: 1) What are the experiences of travelers on Going-to-the-Sun Road? 2) How does travel mode affect the experience? 3) How might travelers’ experiences be improved on Going-to-the-Sun Road?

TCR 98-5
Economic Impacts of Going-to-the-Sun Road Reconstruction: Montana and "Glacier Area" Impacts
(view and print the impact summary )
Authors: Norma P. Nickerson, Ph.D. and Ross E. Nickerson
June 1998, 16 pp., $9.00
Estimates the potential economic impact of various reconstruction alternatives of the Going-to-the-Sun road in Glacier National Park. This study provides the information needed to make an informed decision about the alternative choices. Analysis of secondary data on Glacier National Park, vehicle movement in the park, and other travel statistics.

RR36
The Glacier National Park Visitor Use Study
Authors: Theron A. Miller and Stephen F. McCool
August 1994, 83 pp., $19.00
Presents results of a survey of Glacier National Park visitors from November 1992 to October 1993. Seasonal visitor demographic characteristics and trip characteristics are presented as well as visitor expectations, preferences, perceptions, and satisfactions.

TCR91-2
An Estimate of Backcountry Day Use in the Many Glacier Area, Glacier National Park, 1990 Season
Authors: Amy Braithwaite, Stephen F. McCool,
and Katherine C. Kendall
April 1991, 18 pp., $10.00
Replication of research in 1988 (see RR4) and 1989 (see TCR90-2) to further validate use estimation models and equations.

RR4
An Estimate of Backcountry Day Use of Glacier National Park
Authors: Stephen F. McCool, Amy M. Braithwaite,
and Katherine C. Kendall
May 1989, 53 pp., $15.00
Estimates the number of people entering the Glacier National Park backcountry for the summer season of 1988 using infrared beam-activated photography, embedded vibration sensing counters, and trailhead registration validated by personal observation. The study also developed an equation to estimate use levels in future seasons at low cost.