Visitors

Visitors Info

Our park is found in the beautiful and picturesque Black Hills of South Dakota. Conveniently located near Rapid City, Sheridan Lake, Keystone, and the Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, Bear Country USA is easy to find and experience. The Black Hills are home to parks, trails, lakes, caves, events, and sights unlike you’ve ever seen before. There is no shortage of places to visit while in the area year-round. See our Links page for information on our local partners and friends.

NOTICE: All persons entering this wildlife park do so at their own risk to person, property and health. All persons must remain in their vehicle at all times with doors and sunroofs tightly closed. Windows must be closed at all times. Feeding of animals is strictly prohibited.

2024 Hours

Bear Country USA is open Spring through late November.

We are open every day of the week during the season but may close due to snow/weather, especially in October and November. We are always closed on Thanksgiving Day so our employees can be with their families.

Our busiest days of the year are around Memorial Day Weekend, July 4th Weekend and Labor Day Weekend. If you are visiting during those days expect traffic delays.

Our Gift Shop is fully stocked, please check out our online store for your souvenirs or check it out in person when you visit.

The closing hours are just when our front gate closes.
The rest of the park is open until you are done with your visit.
April 26– May 23: 9am – Last Entry 5pm
May 24 – July 31: 8am – Last Entry 6pm
Aug 1 – Sept 2: 8am – Last Entry 5pm
Aug 7 – 8am – Last entry 4pm EMPLOYEE PARTY
Sept 3 – Sept 30: 9am – Last Entry 4pm
Oct 1 – Dec 1: 9am – Last Entry 3pm. closed on Thanksgiving Day and possibly closed in these months due to Snow and Weather

Private Vehicle Rates:

Private vehicles include cars, trucks, vans and RVs. It is a drive through for part of your visit, so make sure your Air Conditioning is working for the hot days.

Convertibles, motorcycles or soft-top vehicles are not allowed to drive thru, but we do have complimentary courtesy cars for those visitors to use when available.

Our prices below are per person in the private vehicle. Once that total hits that Maximum per private vehicle below, that is what you pay.

We do not accept any coupons for our Admission Rates.

Adult $22
Child (5-12) $17
Children 4 & under FREE
Senior (62+) $20
Military Adult $20
Military Child $15
Maximum/Vehicle $80

This is the maximum per passenger vehicle. Meaning we charge per person and once it hits this maximum, that is what you pay for the vehicle.
Season Pass $200

You can buy a season pass and put 2 names on it. Then each time one of those 2 people come with the season pass and identification, the passenger vehicle gets in free during that season.
-Maximum of 10 passengers per vehicle
-Not valid with any other offers or promotions
-Designated person must be in vehicle.
-For private, non-commercial use only
-Photo ID required
-Only valid for one visit per day
-May be revoked for any reason
-Can be purchased in our online store.

Tour Group Rates:

“Group” must be designated and identifiable, and must include at least (15) people. Approximate Tour Time: 2 hours. Special Motor coach parking with clear access to exit is available.

Adult Motorcoach $20/person

(Majority over 12 years of age)
Maximum charge per Adult Motorcoach $500
Child Motorcoach $15/person

(Majority under 12 years of age)
Maximum charge per Child Motorcoach $350

Rules & Regulations:

All persons entering this wildlife park do so at their own risk to person, property and health.
All persons must remain in their vehicle at all times with all doors and sunroofs tightly closed.
Windows must be closed at all times.
Feeding of animals is strictly prohibited.
Should you develop car trouble, do not attempt to leave your vehicle. Turn on your hazard lights and sound your horn to summon assistance.
Commercial rights to all photographs remain the property of Bear Country USA.
No selfie sticks in the Wildlife Walk area
Do not reach selfie sticks inside animal pens.
Pets and Service Animals are welcome to ride through in your vehicle but can only be walked on leash near our overflow parking where the gazebo is.
Do not allow children or adults to climb on any landscaping walls or rocks.

Pet Policy:

All pets are allowed to accompany their owners through the drive-thru portion of the park and in picnic area next to the big parking lot. However, due to the concern for the health and safety of our animals and yours, NO ANIMALS are allowed around the wildlife walkway area. They can be walked with a leash near the gazebo area only on the grass.
Please review the US DOJ FAQ in regards to the exclusion of service animals, especially Question 26.
Also review SD Codified Law 40-1-36 Please review the Unattended animals in standing or parked vehicles–Authority to remove–Liability for removal.
It is the responsibility of the owner to make sure their pet is safe at all times.
We appreciate your cooperation.

Directions:

Address: Bear Country USA – 13820 S. Highway 16 – Rapid City, SD 57702
From Rapid City, take Mt. Rushmore Road/ S Highway 16 towards Keystone (8 miles).
From Mt. Rushmore, take US-16 ALT/Iron Mt. Road into Keystone. Remain on U-16 ALT and merge right onto US-16 E (12miles).
From I90 East of Rapid City, take exit #61/MT. Rushmore (US-16 TRUCK). Turn left on N. Elk Vale Rd (US-16BYP) (5.5 miles). Continue on N Elk Vale Rd (US-16BYP W) which turns into E. Catron Blvd (3.4 miles). Turn left on S Highway 16 (4.9 miles)
From I90 West of Rapid City, take I-90 Business Loop Exit 57 towards the city center. Turn left at the first light onto Omaha street. Turn Right at the first light onto Mt. Rushmore Road. Continue you on Mt. Rushmore Road/S. Highway 16 towards Keystone (9.5 miles)
From South Hwy 79, take the Elk Vale Rd exit and bear left onto on Elk Vale Rd (US-16BYP W) which turns into E. Catron Blvd (3.4 miles). Turn left on S Highway 16 (4.9 miles).