BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK ENDS 2001 13% BELOW 2000 VISITATION NUMBERS

Badlands National Park did not reach the one million visitor mark for 2001 for the third time in a decade. 974,333 visitors were tallied at park entrance stations, 13% below the 2000 figure of 1,124,688 visitors. The month of December, 2001 was down 4% with 7783 visitors records at the park. However, use of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center was up 15% over last year's levels, indicating that more visitors are seeking orientation and education on park resources than ever before.

Other statistics on Badlands visitation includes:

· Approximately 15% of park visitors make use of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, the park's year round visitor facility.

· Backcountry use appeared to be level with 2000.

For more information on Badlands National Park and its activities, please contact (605) 433 - 5361 and request an information packet or visit the park virtually on the Internet at http://www.nps.gov/badl/