This chapter reviews the concept of carrying capacity as it has been applied in recreation studies. The concept has been expanded over time to include not only an emphasis on natural resource impacts, but to to include equal consideration of recreation experience and management considerations. In this aspect, the concept of carrying capacity in recreation management is applicable to understandings of recreation conflict. The author concludes that carrying capacity can be a useful concept in outdoor recreation management when viewed as an organizational framework. The concept of carrying capacity suggests that appropriate limits of acceptable change for visitor satisfaction or conflict need to be established. The carrying capacity of different recreation areas varies not only because of the inherent characteristics of the recreation area, but because of differences in management objectives, indicators and standards of quality.