Climate Change and Recreation in the Western United States: Effects and Opportunities for Adaptation

Climate change is affecting natural resources globally, altering ecosystems that support outdoor recreation. In the western United States, effects such as warming temperatures, increased drought, reduced snowpack, and widespread wildfires will change the outdoor recreation landscape. In this article, we synthesize the state of science regarding the effects of climate change on outdoor recreation in the western US and summarize adaptation options that can reduce the consequences of climate change, considering the adaptive capacities of recreationists and managers. We draw from a series of climate change assessments in which researchers and managers collaborated to understand recreation vulnerability to climate change and develop effective adaptations. We conclude that building climate resilience requires a shift in planning and resource allocation decisions, including (1) longer-term planning timeframes, (2) interdisciplinary teams, and (3) collaboration among agencies, recreation providers, and communities. Study Implications: Outdoor recreation in the western US is changing due to the effects of climate change. Organized by five recreational categories, this study describes the vulnerability of outdoor recreation to climate change and synthesizes strategies to adapt recreation management to these vulnerabilities. Multiple direct and indirect factors influence individual recreationists’ and land managers’ capacities to adapt to climate change, as we describe through a diagram. Climate-resilient land management requires long-term planning, integration of multiple resource areas, and collaboration across agencies, recreation providers, and communities.