A high density of National Parks and other protected areas within a small area of the Canadian Rocky Mountains are close to major population centres. Protected areas are therefore an important component of the outdoor recreation system. Yet recreation, which is often incompatible with the mandate of the managing agency, can impose considerable stress on these ecosystems. This study combined the Visitor Activity Management Process with the Appropriateness Model in order to focus on policies regarding recreation and mountain biking in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and to offer a situational analysis, an examination of management strategies and specific recommendations.
