Survey Question Bank
Learn how to survey the community as a form of public outreach.
This Question Bank is a companion to the Survey Topic Framework tool. It takes each topic area and provides sample questions with response options you can use right away.
This tool give towns, agencies, nonprofits, and businesses a ready-to-use set of survey questions that collect clear, useful input from visitors and communities. These questions help guide outdoor recreation planning, strengthen local economies, and protect natural resources.
The goal is to make survey writing simple and consistent. Instead of starting from scratch, managers and planners can pull questions from this bank that are:
- Clear and easy to understand
- Tested in past recreation and tourism surveys
- Flexible for use in paper, online, or face-to-face formats
Surveys don't have to be long or complicated. Most of these questions can be used in short surveys that take 10-15 minutes or less. Many are also suitable for quick intercept surveys at trailheads, visitor centers, or community events.
This Question Bank aligns with the Survey Topic Framework and the Steering Commitee Guidance and Community and Stakeholder Engagement Guidance. Together, these tools help you:
- Identify the right topics to ask about
- Write questions that are clear and reliable
- Collect feedback from both visitors and communities
- Use results to improve management and planning decisions
How to Use This Tool
Think of this Question Bank as a "ready-to-go" library. You don't need to use every question. Choose the ones that fit your project.
- If you want visitor input → use questions under Visitor Experience & Site Use
- If you want community input → use questions under Community Priorities & Planning Input
- Combine both for a fuller picture
Each question includes:
- Exact wording
- Response scales or options
- When relevant, open-ended response formats
Pair this tool with the Survey Topic Framework to decide what to ask, and with the Steering Commitee Guidance and Community and Stakeholder Engagement Guidance to decide how to engage people and share results.
Key Tips for Using This Question Bank
- Keep it short - Aim for surveys that can be finished in 10-15 minutes.
- Use plain language - Questions are written to be clear at an 8th-grade level.
- Choose carefully - Pick only the questions that best match your project goals.
- Balance voices - Make sure you hear from both visitors and residents, businesses, and nonprofits.
- Close the loop - Share survey results so people know how their input was used.
Methods Overview: How and When to Use This Question Bank
This Question Bank works best when paired with the right survey method. Think about where people are, how much time they have, and what kind of input you need.
- On-site visitor surveys - Use short questions at trailheads, parks, or events. Offer paper forms, tablets, or QR codes. Keep it simple: who you are, what group you represent, how long it will take, and why it matters.
- Community surveys - Share online or in print through town forums, community meetings, newsletters, or social media. These reach residents, businesses, and local groups who may not be active site users.
- Focus groups & interviews - Use select questions from the bank to guide small group discussions or one-on-one interviews. This works well for digging deeper into issues like community priorities, trust, or economic impacts.
- Mixed approaches - Combine visitor and community surveys for a fuller picture. For example, pair trailhead intercepts with an online resident survey.
Survey Question Bank for Outdoor Recreation, Tourism, and Community Development Planning
1. Visitor Experience & Site Use
For short surveys or interviews with current visitors at parks, trails, or events.
1.1 Visitor Profile (Understand who visitors are and why they come)
Who visitors are (age, background, hometown)
- What is your age range?
- 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, 75+
- What is your gender?
- Male, Female, Non-binary, Prefer not to answer
- With which racial group(s) do you most closely identify?
- White, Black or African American, Spanish/Hispanic/Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern or North African, Other (please specify)
- What is your household income?
- Under $25,000, $25,000-$49,999, $50,000-$74,999, $75,000-$99,999, $100,000-$149,999, $150,000-$199,999, $200,000 or more, Don't know / Prefer not to answer
- What is the highest level of formal schooling you have completed?
- Less than high school, Some high school, High school graduate or GED, Some college (no degree), Associate's degree (2-year), Bachelor's degree (4-year), Graduate or professional degree
- What is your home ZIP code?
- [Open numeric response]
Activities (hiking, biking, skiing, paddling, etc.)
- Which activities are you participating in at this recreation area today?
- [Select all that apply; then indicate your primary activity]
- To what extent did you plan your visit around this primary activity?
- 1 = Not at all; 7 = Completely
- How important is this recreation area to your participation in your primary activity?
- 1 = Not at all important; 7 = Extremely important
First-time vs. repeat visitor
- Is this your first visit to this recreation area?
- Yes, No
- Approximately how many days in the past 12 months have you visited this recreation area?
- [Open numeric response]
- Approximately how many total years have you been visiting this recreation area?
- [Open numeric response]
Local vs. non-local
- How many miles did you travel to reach this recreation area today?
- [Open numeric response]
- Based on USDA definition, do you consider yourself:
- Local visitor (live within 50 miles), Non-local visitor (live more than 50 miles away)
- Is this recreation area in the same town/city where you live?
- Yes, No
Why they came (relax, nature, adventure, socializing)
- What was your main reason for visiting today?
- Relaxation, Exercise, Socializing, Adventure, Nature, Other
- To what extent was spending time in nature an important reason for your visit?
- 1 = Not at all; 7 = Very important
- To what extent was socializing with friends or family an important reason for your visit?
- 1 = Not at all; 7 = Very important
Barriers (cost, time, transportation, accessibility)
- To what extent do you feel cost made it difficult for you to visit this recreation area?
- 1 = Not at all; 7 = A great deal
- To what extent do you feel transportation made it difficult for you to visit this recreation area?
- 1 = Not at all; 7 = A great deal
- To what extent do you feel accessibility (e.g., parking, trails, facilities) limited your visit?
- 1 = Not at all; 7 = A great deal
1.2 Trip Planning, Expectations & Preparedness (See how visitors plan and what they expect)
How they decided to come
- How did you first learn about this recreation area?
- Google search, AllTrails, Facebook, YouTube, TripAdvisor, Instagram, Word of mouth, Other (please specify)
- Which of the following influenced your decision to visit today?
- Word of mouth, Online reviews, Past experience, State marketing campaign, Other (please specify)
- How much planning did your visit require?
- 1 = None at all; 7 = Extensive planning
Where they got information (websites, apps, visitor centers)
- Which information sources did you use to plan your visit?
- Google search, AllTrails, Facebook, YouTube, TripAdvisor, Instagram, Word of mouth, Visitor center, Other (please specify)
- How useful were the information sources you used to plan your visit?
- 1 = Not useful at all; 7 = Extremely useful
- Which single source of information was most influential in your decision to visit?
- [Select one from the above list]
What they expected vs. what they found
- How well did your experience today match your expectations?
- 1 = Did not meet expectations; 7 = Exceeded expectations
- Before visiting, to what extent did you expect amenities such as restrooms, trash cans, or trail signage to be available?
- 1 = Did not expect at all; 7 = Fully expected
- How satisfied were you with the amenities you actually found during your visit?
- 1 = Very dissatisfied; 7 = Very satisfied
Gear or knowledge they brought
- Did you bring any of the following items on your visit?
- Water, First aid kit, Paper map, Food, Rain jacket, Digital map/app, Bug spray, Extra clothes, Trash bag, Other (please specify)
- How prepared do you feel you were for your visit today (in terms of equipment, clothing, or food)?
- 1 = Not at all prepared; 7 = Very prepared
- How familiar were you with this recreation area before your visit?
- 1 = Not at all familiar; 7 = Extremely familiar
Safety steps taken (first aid, maps, equipment)
- To what extent did you take safety steps for your visit (e.g., bringing a map, water, first aid)?
- 1 = Not at all; 7 = A great deal
- How confident did you feel in your ability to stay safe during your visit?
- 1 = Not at all confident; 7 = Extremely confident
- Did you review any safety or preparedness information before your visit?
- Yes, No
Knowledge of outdoor ethics (Leave No Trace, trail-sharing)
- To what extent are you familiar with Leave No Trace principles?
- 1 = Not at all familiar; 7 = Extremely familiar
- To what extent do you practice trail-sharing or yield rules when recreating?
- 1 = Never; 7 = Always
- How important is it to you that other visitors follow outdoor ethics guidelines?
- 1 = Not at all important; 7 = Extremely important
1.3 Experiences & Behaviors (Understand satisfaction, challenges, and future interest)
Overall satisfaction and enjoyment
- How satisfied are you with your overall outdoor recreation experience at this recreation area?
- 1 = Poor; 7 = Perfect
- How enjoyable was your experience today?
- 1 = Not at all enjoyable; 7 = Extremely enjoyable
- How well did the recreation area meet your expectations for quality?
- 1 = Did not meet expectations; 7 = Exceeded expectations
Likelihood of returning or recommending
- How likely are you to return to this recreation area in the future?
- 1 = Definitely not; 7 = Without a doubt
- How likely are you to recommend this recreation area to a friend or family member?
- 1 = Not at all likely; 7 = Extremely likely
- How important is this site to your overall recreation choices?
- 1 = Not at all important; 7 = Extremely important
Crowding or conflicts with other users
- Please indicate the level of crowding you experienced at this recreation area.
- 1 = Not at all crowded; 7 = Extremely crowded
- To what extent did you experience conflict with other visitors during your visit?
- 1 = No conflict; 7 = Very high conflict
- How much did crowding affect your enjoyment today?
- 1 = Not at all; 7 = A great deal
Adjustments (changing visit times or locations)
- How likely are you to change the time of your visit to avoid crowds?
- 1 = Not at all likely; 7 = Extremely likely
- How likely are you to change the location of your visit to avoid crowds?
- 1 = Not at all likely; 7 = Extremely likely
Loyalty (volunteering, donating, repeat use)
- How likely are you to volunteer to support this recreation area?
- 1 = Not at all likely; 7 = Extremely likely
- How likely are you to donate to support this recreation area?
- 1 = Not at all likely; 7 = Extremely likely
- How likely are you to purchase an annual pass or membership if offered?
- 1 = Not at all likely; 7 = Extremely likely
Preferences for paying (passes, cards, donations)
- How willing are you to purchase a day pass to support this recreation area?
- 1 = Not at all willing; 7 = Very willing
- How willing are you to purchase an annual pass to support this recreation area?
- 1 = Not at all willing; 7 = Very willing
- How willing are you to make a one-time donation to support this recreation area?
- 1 = Not at all willing; 7 = Very willing
1.4 Tourism Behavior & Identity (Connect site visits to broader tourism patterns)
Other activities during trip
- What other activities have you participated in during this trip?
- Festivals, Agritourism, Scenic touring, Lodging, Restaurants, Shops, Other (please specify)
- How important was combining this visit with other activities?
- 1 = Not at all important; 7 = Extremely important
- How likely are you to combine future visits with other activities?
- 1 = Not at all likely; 7 = Extremely likely
Awareness of state/regional branding or campaigns
- Are you aware of state or regional outdoor recreation branding campaigns?
- Yes, No
- To what extent did state/regional branding influence your decision to visit?
- 1 = Not at all; 7 = A great deal
- How effective do you think these campaigns are in promoting outdoor recreation?
- 1 = Not at all effective; 7 = Extremely effective
Seasonal visitation patterns
- In which season do you most often visit this recreation area?
- Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
- How likely are you to visit this recreation area in different seasons?
- 1 = Not at all likely; 7 = Extremely likely
- How important is seasonal variety to your decision to visit?
- 1 = Not at all important; 7 = Extremely important
How this site compares to others they visit
- How does this recreation area compare to other recreation areas you visit?
- 1 = Much worse; 7 = Much better
- How unique is this recreation area compared to others you have visited?
- 1 = Not at all unique; 7 = Extremely unique
- How likely are you to choose this site over another similar recreation area?
- 1 = Not at all likely; 7 = Extremely likely
Use of local tourism services (lodging, restaurants, shops)
- Did you use any local tourism services during your visit?
- Yes, No
- Which of the following services did you use?
- Lodging, Restaurants, Shops, Outfitters, Other (please specify)
- How satisfied were you with the local services available?
- 1 = Very dissatisfied; 7 = Very satisfied
Length of stay (day trip, overnight, multi-day)
- Was this visit a day trip or overnight trip?
- Day trip, 1 night, 2-3 nights, 4+ nights
- How many total nights did you stay away from home on this trip?
- [Open numeric response]
- How likely are you to extend your length of stay in the future?
- 1 = Not at all likely; 7 = Extremely likely
1.5 Visitor Spending & Local Economy (Measure how visitor dollars support the community)
Trip spending on food, lodging, gear, or services
- Approximately how much did you spend on food and beverages during this trip?
- [Open numeric response]
- Approximately how much did you spend on lodging during this trip?
- [Open numeric response]
- Approximately how much did you spend on recreation services, passes, or gear during this trip?
- [Open numeric response]
Where money was spent locally
- Did you spend money in the local community surrounding this recreation area?
- Yes, No
- Which of the following categories best describes your local spending?
- Food/beverages, Lodging, Gas, Gear, Recreation services, Other (please specify)
- How important was local availability of services in your decision to visit?
- 1 = Not at all important; 7 = Extremely important
Perceptions of local services (restaurants, lodging, attractions)
- How satisfied are you with the quality of local restaurants?
- 1 = Very dissatisfied; 7 = Very satisfied
- How satisfied are you with the quality of local lodging?
- 1 = Very dissatisfied; 7 = Very satisfied
- How satisfied are you with the quality of local attractions?
- 1 = Very dissatisfied; 7 = Very satisfied
Support for local businesses and outfitters
- How supportive are you of spending money with local businesses during your visit?
- 1 = Not supportive at all; 7 = Very supportive
- How likely are you to recommend local businesses to others?
- 1 = Not at all likely; 7 = Extremely likely
- How likely are you to use a local outfitter or guide service in the future?
- 1 = Not at all likely; 7 = Extremely likely
Economic or community impacts
- To what extent do you believe outdoor recreation impacts housing affordability in nearby communities?
- 1 = Not at all; 7 = A great deal
- To what extent do you believe outdoor recreation impacts traffic or road use?
- 1 = Not at all; 7 = A great deal
- To what extent do you believe outdoor recreation benefits local schools or tax revenue?
- 1 = Not at all; 7 = A great deal
2. Community Priorities & Planning Input
For surveys with residents, businesses, nonprofits, and local leaders.
2.1 Community Visioning & Priorities (Identify long-term aspirations)
- What do you see as the most important goals for outdoor recreation and conservation in your community over the next 10 years? (Open response)
- Which outdoor spaces in your community do you value the most? (Select up to 3)
- Town forests, Local parks, Playgrounds, Rivers/lakes, Regional trails, Other (please specify)
- How important are the following improvements in your community? (1 = Not important at all; 7 = Extremely important)
- Parking areas, Restrooms, Trails, Programs/events, Accessibility
2.2 Engagement & Governance (Understand trust and decision-making)
- How willing are you to participate in community recreation planning (e.g., meetings, surveys, volunteering)?
- (1 = Not at all willing; 7 = Very willing)
- How much do you trust local and state agencies to make fair and balanced decisions about outdoor recreation?
- (1 = Do not trust at all; 7 = Trust completely)
- How confident are you that community leaders will consider your input when making decisions?
- (1 = Not confident at all; 7 = Very confident)
2.3 Workforce & Economy (Explore jobs, training, and local business impacts)
- To what extent do you support or oppose using public funds (e.g., taxes, bonds) to invest in outdoor recreation?
- (1 = Strongly oppose; 7 = Strongly support)
- How concerned are you about the ability of your community to fill seasonal or part-time recreation jobs?
- (1 = Not concerned; 7 = Extremely concerned)
- How much do you agree or disagree with the statement: "Outdoor recreation creates meaningful economic opportunities in my community."
- (1 = Strongly disagree; 7 = Strongly agree)
2.4 Design & Access (Assess trail quality, parking, signage, and accessibility)
- How satisfied are you with trail design and maintenance in your community?
- (1 = Very dissatisfied; 7 = Very satisfied)
- How would you rate parking availability and trailhead access in your community?
- (1 = Very poor; 7 = Excellent)
- How important is it for your community to improve accessibility (e.g., ADA access, universal design)?
- (1 = Not important at all; 7 = Extremely important)
2.5 Community Benefits & Stewardship (Balance tourism with resident life, environment, and health)
- How much do you agree or disagree with the statement: "Tourism brings benefits to residents in my community."
- (1 = Strongly disagree; 7 = Strongly agree)
- How concerned are you about the following issues in your community?: Litter and trash, Trail erosion, Traffic and parking, Wildlife disturbance, Visitor-resident conflict
- (1 = Not concerned at all; 7 = Extremely concerned)
- How much do you agree or disagree with the statement: "Outdoor recreation improves health, wellness, and equity in my community."
- (1 = Strongly disagree; 7 = Strongly agree)
Wrap-Up: How This Question Bank Fits Into the Toolkit
This Question Bank is one part of the New Hampshire Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Planning Toolkit. Used with the other tools, it helps ensure surveys are not just well-written, but also meaningful.
- Public Engagement Toolkit - Gets people to the table and shows how to reach them.
- Survey Topic Framework - Helps decide what subjects to cover.
- Survey Question Bank (this tool) - Provides the actual questions and response scales.
Together, these tools make it easier for managers, communities, and businesses to:
- Collect reliable input
- Build trust with the public
- Make decisions based on real data
- Improve recreation experiences, strengthen communities, and protect resources