{"id":58997,"date":"2026-06-03T15:36:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T22:36:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/bcparksblog\/?p=58997"},"modified":"2026-06-03T15:39:31","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T22:39:31","slug":"a-day-in-nature-what-we-learned-from-of-day-use-visitors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/bcparksblog\/2026\/06\/03\/a-day-in-nature-what-we-learned-from-of-day-use-visitors\/","title":{"rendered":"A day in nature: what we learned from of day-use visitors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Home<\/a>\n \n A day in nature: what we learned from of day-use visitors\n <\/span>\n
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A day in nature: what we learned from of day-use visitors<\/h1>\n
BC Parks News<\/a>, <\/span>Design Research<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n
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Over the past five years, BC Parks established a <\/em><\/em><\/a>program of ongoing design research<\/em><\/a><\/em>. <\/em>It gives us direct access to feedback from the people who use our services. We regularly share what we learn from our research sessions on this blog.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This research builds on earlier work conducted in 2024 with <\/a><\/a>backcountry campers<\/a> and <\/a>marine visitors<\/a>, and in 2025 with Recreation Sites and Trails (RSTBC) campers. That work led to the creation of <\/a>Camping Styles<\/a>, visitor archetypes that help staff understand different needs and behaviours for overnight stays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In 2026, we expanded this effort to focus on day-use visitors who far outnumber campers. They might be having lunch in the park, going for a walk or a hike, or spending a whole day there with family. The findings in this post will inform a new set of visitor archetypes called Day-use Styles. They complement the Camping Styles, describe the needs and behaviours of day-use visitors, and support planning and decision-making across both BC Parks and RSTBC.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We asked 15 day-use visitors about their trips to outdoor recreation areas. This included provincial, regional, and local parks, as well as other natural spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our goals were to learn:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. How visitors choose a destination and plan <\/a>their day-use visits<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Why people visit and what they get out of it<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. The different ways visitors enjoy our day-use areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. The thought processes, guiding principles, and emotions that shape day-use visitor choices<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

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    Our findings from these 15 interviews are an initial step toward better understanding visitor needs and perspectives. Ongoing research will help us keep learning and inform improvements to both digital tools and in\u2011park experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    This is a high-level summary of our findings from our day-use visitor research.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Nature and outdoor spaces help people connect with others<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cWhen I’m with somebody else, I’m enjoying nature, but I’m also enjoying the relationship and the connection of who I’m with.\u201d \u2013 Research participant<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    For most participants, many visits to outdoor recreation areas are about spending meaningful time with friends and family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Outdoor spaces offer a welcoming, accessible space for gatherings across ages and abilities. Activities like picnicking, hiking, fishing, or exploring lakes are often rooted in childhood traditions or new rituals formed with loved ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \u201cOnce a month we have lunches at a park with the entire family, about 13 of us, kids play, adults chat.\u201d \u2013 Research participant<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    People value solo time in nature<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cI love being out there alone, carefree, enjoying the moment.\u201d – Research participant<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Being alone in nature serves several purposes for participants. It is a time to be active, get outside, and find a quiet place that feels restorative. People mentioned that this time can be for: stillness, mental reset, emotional processing, and self-connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Participants described outdoor recreation areas as places to pause, reset, and feel more like themselves. Being outside helped many participants manage stress, burnout, and emotional overload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Some described nature as making life feel \u201cmore manageable,\u201d when things get stressful. The effects were often described as physical and sensory: the smell of trees, the feeling of sand underfoot, or the quiet of a forest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    This extends to physical activity too. We heard consistently that being active in nature feels more meaningful than being active indoors. For example, participants describer outdoor movement as more enjoyable and more motivating than going to the gym. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Being active in nature looks different for everyone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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    \u201cGoing for a hike in the woods is my favourite way to get exercise.\u201d \u2013 Research Participant<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Participants described physical activity as something that looks different for everyone and changes over time. Staying active was not about achieving a specific goal or reaching the \u201chardest\u201d destination. Instead, it was about choosing activities that matched their current abilities, interests, and energy levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    For some, this meant short, regular walks close to home. For others, it meant longer hikes or more physically demanding outings. Many people fall somewhere in between, shifting depending on the season, their health, and what else is happening in their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Planning a day-use visit is not one-size-fits-all<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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    We asked people how they choose where to go and how much planning goes into a day-use visit. The answer was clear; planning depends on context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    People weigh a range of factors that determine how much planning is needed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Proximity & time available:<\/strong> Short trips favour familiar outdoor recreation areas. They require less research and tend to be more spontaneous. Longer trips prompt more research. People often want a unique feature, somewhere new, access to water, or a challenging peak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Who they\u2019re with:<\/strong> Needs shift when visiting with children, older adults, or someone with limited mobility. Sometimes visitors have a list of reliable favourites they visit regularly. Other times they research to find the right recreation area that meets the need of everyone in the group. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Activities:<\/strong> Whether it’s a casual walk or a paddle boarding adventure, the activity determines what amenities matter and how much preparation is needed. Strenuous hikes, kayaking, mountain biking, or fishing involve specific gear and safety considerations. Visitors spend more time researching these trips, though still far less than for a camping trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Planning starts beyond BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails BC websites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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    \u201cI don\u2019t really look if it\u2019s BC Parks or a Rec Site. I pick what fits the day.\u201d \u2013 Research participant<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    The search for the right outdoor recreation area typically begins outside of the BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails websites. People often rely on recommendations from trusted friends and family and frequently revisit their favourite places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    When people are looking for somewhere new, they tend to use platforms such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n