Valuing the Forest Recreation Function in South Korea: Willingness to Pay and Its Determinants

Forest recreation is a key public-benefit function of forests, but as a non-market good, evidence of the public’s willingness to pay (WTP) for its sustained provision remains scarce. This study applied the double-bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation method to estimate WTP for the forest recreation function and identify its determinants. In September 2025, a nationwide online survey presented a hypothetical continued-provision scenario to 1050 adults aged 20–74 across South Korea’s 17 metropolitan and provincial regions and elicited WTP as a per-visit fee. Sociodemographic characteristics, awareness, use experience, satisfaction, perceived effects, and forest ecological sensitivity were examined, with a parallel analysis excluding 192 protest respondents. Mean stated WTP was KRW 17,418 (approximately USD 12.3). Household income, awareness, satisfaction with rest and leisure in forests, and forest ecological sensitivity were statistically significant determinants. After protest responses were excluded, mean stated WTP was KRW 21,483 (approximately USD 15.1), and use experience emerged as an additional significant determinant. These findings provide empirical evidence on stated WTP under a hypothetical per-visit payment scenario and may inform forest recreation service design and assessment of forests’ public-benefit functions.