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A Unique Wildlife Experience

Come see black bears, elk, reindeer, cougars, bison and more!

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Bear tracks

Drive thru and Walk thru Park

Come see the black bears, elk, reindeer,
cougars, buffalo and more!

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Welcome to Bear Country USA!

Few people have had the unforgettable experience of a full-grown bear peering into their car window—and for those who have, it was probably unplanned! Seeing reindeer or elk up close in their natural habitat is just as memorable, and at Bear Country U.S.A. in the picturesque Black Hills of South Dakota, these encounters are all part of the adventure.

Spread across over 200 acres of lush pine forests and rolling meadows, just eight miles south of Rapid City, Bear Country U.S.A. offers an unparalleled opportunity to get close to wildlife. Guests can enjoy a relaxed three-mile drive through enclosures, spotting animals such as black bears, elk, reindeer, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and bison. From the comfort of their cars, visitors can watch as bears climb trees, splash in pools, and stroll across the road just feet away.

Tickets are available for purchase at the admissions office or can be conveniently booked online using the link below.

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Experience the Park

Upon entry, you’ll begin your journey with the drive-thru portion of the park. This winding road takes you through several animal enclosures set in a natural, spacious environment. Watch as the animals roam freely and enjoy their expansive habitats. 

After completing the drive-thru, take a leisurely stroll along our Wildlife Walkway. This ¼-mile path offers even more opportunities for up-close views of a variety of animals!

Don’t forget to stop by the Bear’s Den Gift Shop—there’s something for everyone. For a quick bite or refreshing treat, visit the Cub Grub Snack Shack while you relax and take in the sights of the park.

Drive Thru
Walk Thru
baby bear climbing up a tree
Bear Paw

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Discover Our Wildlife

At Bear Country USA, discover the excitement of seeing bears, mountain lions, timber wolves, and more in their natural habitats. Our park offers a rare opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures up close. Come and explore the wild side of South Dakota like never before.

bear

Black Bear

Read About Black Bears
mountain lion

Mountain Lion

Read About Mountain Lions
Timber wolf

Timber Wolf

Read About Timber Wolves
Learn About Our Animals
Visit our online shop! Enter The Bear's Den
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Nestled on over 200 acres amidst towering pines and along rolling meadows just eight miles south of Rapid City, Bear Country U.S.A. offers visitors intimate views of wildlife.

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Black Bear

  • Scientific Name: Ursus americanus
  • Size: 50-80 inches in length, 25-40 inches shoulder height.  Males weigh from 130-500 lbs., females usually weigh 100-350 lbs.  There is a pronounced seasonal variation in weight.
  • Diet: Omnivorous
  • Lifespan: 15-18 years in the wild

The American black bear is the most widely distributed bear species in North America, inhabiting a diverse range of environments, including forests, swamps, and mountainous regions across Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in both remote wilderness and areas near human settlements.

Black bears are omnivores, with diets that vary by season and location. They primarily eat fruits, nuts, berries, insects, fish, and small mammals but will also scavenge for carrion or human food when available. Their strong sense of smell—seven times more powerful than that of a dog—helps them locate food over long distances.

Despite their name, black bears come in a variety of colors, including brown, cinnamon, blonde, and even white in rare cases. They are excellent climbers and swimmers, often using trees as a refuge from danger or to find food. During winter, black bears enter a state of torpor, a form of hibernation where their metabolism slows down, allowing them to survive off stored body fat until spring.

Highly intelligent and adaptable, black bears play an essential role in their ecosystems by dispersing seeds and maintaining healthy forest environments. However, human-bear interactions have increased as development expands into their habitats, making conservation efforts crucial to ensuring their long-term survival.

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Mountain Lion

  • Scientific Name: Puma concolor
  • Size: Adult males typically weigh between 120–220 pounds and measure 7 to 8 feet from nose to tail. Females are smaller, weighing 64–140 pounds and measuring 6 to 7 feet long.
  • Diet: Mountain lions are carnivorous apex predators. Their diet primarily consists of deer, but they also hunt smaller animals like rabbits, hares, raccoons, birds, and even livestock if available. They’re opportunistic hunters and capable of taking down prey much larger than themselves, often caching food and returning to it over several days.
  • Lifespan: Around 10 years

 

The mountain lion, also known as cougar, puma, or panther (depending on the region), is one of the most widely distributed wild cats in the Americas. Found from the Canadian Yukon all the way down to the southern Andes of South America, this elusive predator is incredibly adaptable and thrives in a wide range of habitats—mountains, forests, deserts, and even near suburban areas.

Known for its solitary nature, the mountain lion is a quiet and stealthy animal that prefers to avoid human interaction whenever possible. These cats are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, being most active during dawn and dusk. Despite their size and power, they rely more on stealth than speed, silently stalking their prey before launching a quick, powerful ambush.

Mountain lions are territorial animals, with males maintaining large home ranges that often overlap the smaller territories of several females. These territories are marked by scent and visual cues like scratch marks or scat. Outside of mating season, they are rarely seen in groups and tend to roam alone. When mating does occur, it’s brief, and the male plays no role in raising the young. Females give birth to litters of usually two to four kittens, which stay with their mother for up to two years while they learn to hunt and survive on their own.

Despite their reclusive behavior, mountain lions occasionally come into conflict with humans, especially as development encroaches on wild spaces. While attacks on humans are rare, they can occur, particularly if the animal is young, sick, or cornered. Conservation efforts aim to preserve natural corridors that allow mountain lions to roam freely without the need to cross roads or enter urban areas, which increases the risk of conflict.

These animals play a vital ecological role as top predators. By keeping deer and other prey populations in check, they help maintain balance in ecosystems. Their presence is often an indicator of a healthy, functioning environment. In regions where mountain lions have been reintroduced or protected, positive changes in biodiversity and ecosystem stability have been observed.

Despite facing threats from habitat loss, vehicle collisions, and occasional persecution, mountain lions have shown a remarkable ability to survive near human development. Continued conservation and public education are key to ensuring their future in the wild.

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Timber Wolf

  • Scientific name: Canis lupus
  • Size: Body length 40–60 inches; tail adds 12–20 inches; weight typically 65–150 lbs., depending on sex and region
  • Diet: Carnivorous – primarily hunts large ungulates like deer, elk, and moose; also eats smaller mammals, carrion, and occasionally berries
  • Lifespan: 6-8 years

The timber wolf, more widely known as the gray wolf, is a keystone predator and one of the most iconic wild animals of the Northern Hemisphere. Known for their intelligence, strong social bonds, and haunting howls, timber wolves once roamed vast areas of North America, Europe, and Asia. Though their range has diminished due to human activity, conservation efforts have helped reestablish populations in parts of their former territory.

Timber wolves are built for endurance and teamwork. They have long legs, thick fur, and large paws suited for traveling long distances through rugged terrain and snow. Their coloration varies from gray and brown to white or black, helping them blend into their environment. As apex predators, they play a crucial ecological role by regulating prey populations and promoting healthy ecosystems.

What sets timber wolves apart from many other carnivores is their complex social structure. They live and hunt in packs, typically consisting of a breeding pair (often called the alpha male and female) and their offspring. Pack size varies but usually includes six to ten members. Wolves cooperate closely to hunt large prey, using coordinated strategies and endurance to bring down animals much larger than themselves, such as deer, elk, or moose. This cooperative hunting style strengthens bonds and ensures the survival of the group.

Communication is central to wolf society. Wolves use vocalizations, body language, and scent marking to maintain order within the pack and define territory. Their howls, which can carry for miles, serve multiple purposes—rallying the pack, warning rival wolves, or strengthening social ties.

Pups are born in the spring after a gestation of about 63 days. They are cared for not just by their parents but by the entire pack, a behavior known as cooperative breeding. This shared responsibility helps young wolves learn the skills they need to survive and eventually contribute to the pack’s success.

Historically, timber wolves were persecuted across much of their range due to fears of livestock predation and competition with hunters. They were driven to near extinction in many areas by the mid-20th century. However, protected status, reintroduction programs, and growing public appreciation have led to a cautious recovery in some regions, such as the northern Rockies and parts of the Great Lakes in the U.S.

Timber wolves continue to inspire awe and debate. Their return to the wild brings both ecological benefits and complex challenges, but they remain a powerful symbol of wilderness, resilience, and the deep connections that define animal societies.