We have been traveling full time in our RV for two and a half years, since June 1, 2020. In all of our travels, other than at zoos, we have only seen bears once, and they disappeared into the woods before I could snap a photo. So when we saw a billboard for Bear Country USA in South Dakota, we new we had to go there!
Blowin’ Off Steam at Bear Country USA
We had planned a day to visit Rapid City because we wanted to see the street corner sculptures of American presidents. Since we would be passing Bear Country USA on our way, it was the perfect time to explore this attraction. And what a fabulous attraction it is!!!
Steve and I are familiar with drive through animal parks because we used to live near Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee Florida. When our son was growing up, it was one of his favorite places. Ours too. Our drive through this natural habitat park was well worth it.
History of Bear Country USA in South Dakota
The founder of Bear Country USA in South Dakota, “Doc” Dennis Casey D.D.S.
Bear Country USA was founded by Dr. and Mrs. Dennis “Doc” Casey, a dentist and his wife.
Have a seat, if you dare!
The doctor and his wife Pauline, opened Bear Country USA in August 1972. Its humble beginning included 11 black bear, one cougar, one wolf, three bison and one large bull elk. To this day, the park is still owned and operated by Pauline and three of her children. Things have changed a lot over the years because today the wildlife at Bear Country U.S.A. has increased over the years to feature more than 200 black bear and additional wildlife. Theirs is the largest privately held number of black bears in the world.
Most of the wildlife is born on the premises. They are then hand raised by the park staff. Every spring the Casey family looks forward to a new crop of bear cubs.
Our drive through Bear Country USA
Elk resting in the shade of those trees
Elk stands proud and majestic at Bear Country USA
Our first sighting was a herd of Elk with their distinctive antler racks. What we have learned about them is that they shed their racks every August. Each year the start of a new set of antlers pushes the old one off to make room for a newer and larger rack. That fabulous headgear can weigh up to 30 pounds!
This is why we came to Bear Country USA! We finally got to see bears!!!
An accidental shot but a cool photo of this bear!
Caught this bear pair at, shall we say, an embarrassing moment!
Sleeping wolves enjoying their nap at Bear Country
Big Horn Sheep
Found this small herd of bison enjoying the shade in this wooded area
As we continued on the driving path we saw bison, wolves, Bighorn sheep, Pronghorns, Timber Wolves, I could go on and on. But the most important animals we saw were the bears. Lots and lots of bears. Some resting, some romping, some eating, some procreating. And the best part of all were the adorable and playful bear cubs.
Bear cubs and other babies
Young Black Bear cubs enjoying a refreshing drink. They are well cared for at Bear Country USA!
At Bear Country USA they have a separate area, away from cars, where they take care of the baby animals that need protection. So if you were wondering why the bear cubs weren’t with their mothers, rest assured that it’s for the benefit of the cubs.
The precious cubs we watched playfully interacting were born at Bear Country, at the end of January and beginning of February of this year. They all stayed with their mothers for the first 3 months of their lives. As spring arrived, but before the bears were fully out of hibernation, the cubs were weaned from their mothers for their own safety. When a mother begins moving her young they become in danger of being harmed by adult male bears.
In the wild forty percent of Black Bears do not survive their first year. Bear Country USA in South Dakota, is proud to have a substantially higher rate of survival due to the practice of hand raising the cubs. Another perk is that their hand raised animals they can safely care for them and work around them.
This playful little black bear cub climbed the tree for a better view of his surroundings.
Watching those bear cubs enjoying their habitat was mesmerizing. The most fun was watching one of them climb a leafless tree to get a better view of his surroundings.
Hmmm… Perhaps we found Rocky the Raccoon cooling off in South Dakota
Even Javelinas like living at Bear Country USA
This pair of badgers was just hangin’ out. Just being chill and not badgering anyone LOL
Beautiful Bobcats
In addition to the bear cubs there were plenty of other babies for us to enjoy.
These adorable baby Timber Wolves loved napping together
Continuing on our way to Rapid City, we remarked how much fun Bear Country USA in South Dakota was. It’s a perfect attraction for any animal lover at any age!
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