Bear Country USA wasn’t originally on our Black Hills Bucket List, but instead was added on during our drive to the black hills thanks to friends and family who insisted we just had to check it out!
Just like any other drive through safari, you will take a risk of damage to your vehicle from the animals. Thankfully, they left my brand new truck alone!
While they do not have as many species of animals as some others, the amount of bears is astonishing.
History About Bear Country USA
Bear Country USA opened in 1972 to the public and offers visitors a leisurely drive through the wildlife park in their own vehicles and at their own pace.
Started by Dr. Dennis “Doc” Casey, and his wife Pauline with 11 black bear, one cougar, one wolf, three buffalo and one large bull elk. The park is still owned and operated by Pauline and 3 of her children.
They have several species (over 25) to include elk, wolves, reindeer, buffalo, big horn sheep, rocky mountain goats, mountain lions and the largest privately owned collection of American Black Bear.
Visitors can also enjoy an easy 1/4 mile walking loop around the Wildlife Walkway to see bear cubs and smaller animals such as foxes, porcupines, etc…
My Thoughts
Absolutely loved it as did the kids and husband. It was a nice drive and the park was well maintained. The amount of bears available to view in their natural surroundings (not caged like some others) was amazing!
Even the Wildlife Walkway Loop was fun and we loved seeing the bear cubs.
They also have a Cub Grub Snack Shack which sells hot dogs, hamburgers, and nachos. Relatively inexpensive, but definitely from the freezer. So don’t expect much. But when you are hungry, it will do the trick!
Information
Open from late April to late November. For current hours check their website as it varies depending on the month.
Located 8 miles south of Rapid City on Highway 16.
Address
13820 S. Highway 16 – Rapid City, SD 57702
Phone Number
(605) 343-2290
Wake up people , do some actual fact checking and research.
. Do not support these cruel greedy people.
The owners entered a guilty plea in 2006 for Harvesting and selling bear parts( gall bladder)
July 2023 a member of peta went undercover as an employee and released video of employees kicking and beating baby bears . The employees are on tape explaining the awful ways they steal young cubs from the mothers den.
Do your own research please ,spread the word ,don’t be fooled by ads and propaganda.
You might be the one that wants to do some actual fact checking and research. The 2006 incident you mentioned happened under different ownership, so that that point invalid. As far as the cruelty allegations, the only thing is from PETA which is NOT a reliable source of information since they like to twist things to fit their narrative.
My God – what is wrong with you? You think that people who scare mother bears away from their cubs using fireworks, chainsaws and shotguns so the cubs can be snatched and used for entertainment is wonderful? Does nobody read up on these places before they go? Bear Country, USA is lucky people in this country are so freaking stupid, they just bumble through life ignoring the terror, the abuse, the horrors done to wild animals because some greedy SOB wants to make a nickel from them! Should be named Animal Abuse Country USA and everyone associated with this horrific abuse should be put on a federal watch list.