This review of the literature on recreation for the rural elderly is organized into seven sections. The first section is a brief overview of the values and socio-economic characteristics of the rural elderly. In the next section, studies on the leisure interests and the recreation participation patterns of the rural elderly are presented. The third section is a compilation of representative program descriptions obtained through literature review and contacts with agencies on aging. Factors affecting the provision of services to the rural elderly comprise the fourth section and include transportation, attitudes, publicity needs, socioeconomic conditions, cultural diversity, sex differences, and health factors. The fifth section outlines various approaches to meet the recreational needs of the rural aged. A summary section presents an overview of the state-of-the-art in the provision of recreation services to the rural aged, as well as conclusions and recommendations related to improving the quality of such services. The final section is an annotated bibliography of 83 research studies, reports, and programs related to aspects of recreation and the rural elderly. (Author/NRB)