The purpose of this study is to explore how outdoor recreation use and its associated impacts can be quantified and monitored over time within the canyons. Establishing indicators of the ecological, physical, and social characteristics of recreation settings throughout the canyons is an essential first step to quantifying and monitoring change. Our goal is to establish a set of indicators that are collaboratively generated and grounded in the best-available science and reflect the unique needs and concerns of the diverse stakeholders and interest groups who use, manage, and depend on the canyons. Through the work detailed below, the Central Wasatch Commission, the State of Utah, and the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest will gain a clear understanding of what data on outdoor recreation use currently exist and what data are essential to understand the ecological, physical, and social characteristics of recreation settings.