Despite the saturation of academic literature with articles espousing the benefits of outdoor recreation (OR) and the potential downsides of smartphone usage, there is a dearth of research regarding the impact of smartphone use on OR experiences. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine if smartphone use on OR trips affects participants’ psychological, sociological, educational, and physical outcomes. 68 participants were split between a treatment group where smartphone use was limited, or a control group where no treatment was implemented. Both groups participated in backpacking trips and were surveyed before and after the experience. An analysis of the surveys revealed no significant relationship between smartphone usage and measured OR outcomes. These results carry important implications for OR practitioners because it will help them make policy decisions regarding participant smartphone use. The study also opens the door for further interrogation of the relationship between smartphones and OR.
