October 1, 2026 - Clovis, CA. - The beginning of October marks the start of our National Visitor Use Monitoring Survey on the Sierra National Forest, a collaboration with California State University, Chico to estimate the number of visitors recreating on the forest. The survey kicks off the new fiscal year from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sep. 30, 2027, across all national forests and grasslands. This monitoring survey happens every five years.
The anonymous survey gathers information on the specific activities people engage in while on the forest and your overall satisfaction. The survey also estimates total visitation for each forest and additional details from on-site visitor surveys.
Contract employees will be out in all types of weather conditions — wearing bright orange vests and near a sign that says, “Traffic Survey Ahead.” Surveys are voluntary and all responses are confidential; names are not included.
Data collected from the survey helps prioritize how funds are used and where to best meet the needs of our visitors. The results also help illustrate what brings people to each national forest and how visitors are enjoying their recreation choices.
Previous estimates show nearly 165 million visitors recreate on national forests lands each year. Past surveys show downhill skiing and hiking/walking round out the two most common activities.
About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.
Source: Sierra National Forest
