Roadside Campsites in the Adirondack Park: Using GIS Technology to Map Inventory Data

1.0 Abstract

SUNY ESF researchers inventoried 531 roadside campsites within over 30 different Forest Preserve (FP) Unit Management Areas within the Adirondack Park (AP). Data collected include site designation, type, size, amount of vegetative screening, distance from road, amenities provided, satellite sites, and overall condition. In addition to these variables, GPS coordinates were obtained for each roadside campsite and subsequently used to graphically portray inventory data. Study results provide a useful characterization of roadside campsites in the FP. Additionally, results provide an indication of the extent to which roadside campsites in the FP comply with the prescriptive guidelines for primitive tent sites outlined in the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan and the NY Environmental Conservation Law. Finally, results provide pertinent information to managers and policy makers that may be useful for informing a recent intense policy debate over how to define and manage roadside campsites in the FP.