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Efforts to understand the impacts resulting from visitors in backcountry settings have increasingly turned to normative explanations. This paper builds on earlier review articles by providing a conceptual framework for analyzing the structural characteristics of norms. Three normative characteristics—range of tolerable contacts, norms. intensity and norm crystallization—are identified and measured quantitatively using data from the Brule River to empirically illustrate the application of the model to a recreation setting. Findings from the Brule and a number of related studies reveal that despite a diversity of recreation behaviors and interests, some normative consensus can often be found. From a management perspective, these findings underscore the importance of defining the type of experience to be provided and deciding on a criterion group based on the definition of how the resource should be managed.