This is a demonstration research note which walks through a simple yet robust methodology for estimating recreation demand function, mean willingness to pay (WTP), and aggregate benefits using the individual travel cost method. The exercise is based on data and framework taken from a 2001 study of wildfires and recreation access in Colorado National Forests. Motivating context was that the United States Department of Agriculture was valuing the economic consequences of wildfires using Resources Planning Act values, which included hiking only and failed to account for the growing popularity and recreational value of mountain biking in the region. Additionally, there was little direct evidence of the impact of wildfires specifically on recreation activities. The study utilized observed (not survey) data on the number of visitors to National Forests affected and unaffected by wildfires, as well as a contingent visitation survey for different fire situations. Here, we focus only on survey responses for one of the three locations, the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest. Specifically, the survey collected information used to calculate WTP related to the Greyrock Trail.2 The survey elicited four contingent behavior responses. Three were open-ended questions on how the number of trips would change given trail conditions as shown in example photos from different fire impact scenarios. The fourth was an open-ended question on how the number of trips would change under a range ($3 - $70) of randomly assigned increases in trip cost.
