AUGUST VISITATION DOWN AT BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK WHILE TEMPERATURES REMAIN UP

Visitation to Badlands National Park for August, 2002 was down 13.7% over 2001 figures with 256,391 visitors counted at park entrance stations. Visitation for 2002 is down 5.5% over last year with 800,649 visitors tallied from January through August, 2002. Temperatures, however, remain much higher than average with the park experiencing 24 days exceeding 100 degrees and eight days with temperatures above 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Precipitation, like visitation, is well below average with only 8.52 inches measures in the Badlands through August, 2oo2. Typical precipitation is 16 to 18 inches.

Due to the temperature extremes and lack of moisture, park visitors are reminded to be prepared for a visit to a semi-arid environment. Hats and sunscreen should be worn outdoors. Visitors should bring along at least a liter of water for every two hours of walking anticipated. High energy, non-meltable snacks like dried fruit and nuts are also a good idea for day hikers. Overnight campers will find the evenings cooling down into the 60s with the potential for high winds.

The extreme lack of moisture creates a special hazard for park wildlife. Grazing and browsing animals such as deer, pronghorn, prairie dogs and bison, obtain most the moisture they consume through the water found in grasses and forbs. However, the moisture measured in Badlands plants this year is approaching 0%. Visitors are reminded to never feed park wildlife. Human food contains sodium and other materials not typically a part of the animals' diet and rapidly increases their rate of dehydration. Additionally, it conditions animals to approach people and at times, become aggressive. Feeding park wildlife is punishable by a fine. For more information, contact (605) 433 - 5245 or visit the park's website at http://www.nps.gov/badl/home.htm