The objective of this paper is to explore the state of recent recreational research by U. S. Geographers and social scientists. This report views the importance of recreationalists behavior patterns and describes the use of simulation models to predict demand data. Four research phases constitute the main organization of this paper: 1) Anticipation and 2) Recollection phases discuss and question the psychological needs of recreation. Attitudes, facilities, spacial relationships, cost, and distance traveled are identified as predictive factors for recreational attendance. 3) The Travel Phase looks at the distance that people will travel depending upon other factors such as site attractiveness. Research indicates that beyond a certain number of miles distance is not predictive. 4) On the Site Phase considers site attractiveness (perceptual environment) as a major allurement which gives the greatest satisfaction to visitors. Findings of this research report raise questions regarding the nature and goals of recreation which need to be answered and suggest that a fruitful area for study may be conceptualization of the decision-making process in recreation. Included are 386 bibliographic citations, and an outline of current research topics in outdoor recreation. (SJM)