• Badlands formations against the blue sky; photo by Rikk Flohr

    Badlands

    National Park South Dakota

Badlands Offers Full Moon Hike

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Date: June 14, 2011
Contact: Aaron Kaye, 605-433-5243

BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, Interior, S.D. — On Thursday June 16th, join Badlands rangers for a moonlit hike across the prairie and into the scenic rock formations. See the Badlands like never before – under moonlight.

The program will begin at 9:00 pm at the Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater. A short multimedia presentation on observing the moon, lunar phases, and nocturnal animals will precede the hike. Come learn about the endangered and nocturnal black-footed ferret. Once thought to be extinct, the park is now celebrating the 30th anniversary of the rediscovery of black-footed ferrets in America.

The one hour, 1.5 mile hike begins and ends at the amphitheater. The amphitheater is located next to the Cedar Pass Campground a quarter mile from the Ben Reifel Visitor Center on Badlands Loop Road (Hwy 240). Visitors are encouraged to bring water, a jacket, insect repellent and sturdy, closed-toed shoes.

Regular park entrance fees apply. See nps.gov/badl or contact the park at 605-433-5361 for more information.

-NPS-

Did You Know?

The white water of Sage Creek

Available water in the badlands is always loaded with sediment. Cloudy and milky white in appearance, the water contains particles that carry a slight charge of electricity. The particles repel each other, instead of settling to the bottom. Early visitors found the water unsuitable for drinking.