Things to do in South Dakota with kids? You are in the right place.
After our memorable visit to Mount Rushmore the night before, we were eager to explore more attractions near Rapid City, South Dakota. Bear Country USA was at the top of our list—a unique wildlife park that promised a fun and educational experience for the whole family.
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What is Bear Country USA?
Bear Country USA is a drive-through wildlife park located just outside Rapid City. Established in 1972, it offers visitors the opportunity to see North American wildlife up close from the comfort of their own vehicles. The park is home to a wide variety of animals, including black bears, wolves, elk, reindeer, mountain lions, and more. The highlight for many visitors is the chance to observe bears in their natural habitat, but there’s much more to see and do. It is definitely one of the top things to do in South Dakota with kids!
Bear Country USA Location
Bear Country USA. 13820 US-16, Rapid City, SD 57702
Planning Your Visit
Bear Country USA is open from spring through late November, making it a great option for a seasonal outing. Admission prices are $22 for adults, $17 for children aged 5-12, and free for kids 4 and under. There’s also a maximum charge of $80 per vehicle, which is ideal for larger families or groups.
If you don’t have a car or your vehicle doesn’t meet the park’s requirements (it must be a hard-top with windows that can stay up during the drive-through), Bear Country USA offers complimentary courtesy cars. This ensures that everyone can experience the park, regardless of their transportation situation.
Driving Through Bear Country USA
One of the best aspects of Bear Country USA is that you can drive through the park at your own pace. Our tour took about 45 minutes, and we never felt rushed. The road winds through various habitats, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to stop and observe the animals as they roam freely around your car. It’s important to keep your windows up at all times for safety reasons, but this didn’t detract from our experience at all.
Despite visiting on a Monday morning in the summer, we got right in at 10 AM without any issues. We did notice that the hot weather meant many of the animals, especially the bears, were sleeping or resting in the shade. However, with so many animals to see, we still encountered plenty of lively creatures. The baby bears, in particular, were full of energy and provided some of the most memorable moments of our visit.
Snaps taken by the kids with our Camp Snap camera!
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Exploring the Walking Portion
After completing the drive-through, we parked our car and headed to the walking portion of Bear Country USA. This area features a variety of wildlife exhibits and interactive displays, including the highly anticipated baby bears. Watching these little ones play and interact was definitely a highlight for our kids.
The walking portion of the park took us about 45 minutes to explore. It’s a manageable size, and even our 4-year-old had no trouble walking the entire area without getting tired. The exhibits are well laid out, and there’s something to capture everyone’s interest. Ironically, our kids were particularly fascinated by the prairie dogs—despite the fact that we have prairie dogs living in our neighborhood back in Colorado!
Final Thoughts
Overall, we spent about an hour and a half at Bear Country USA, and it felt like the perfect amount of time to experience everything the park had to offer. The combination of the drive-through and walking portions provided a well-rounded adventure that was accessible and enjoyable for our entire family.
If you’re planning a visit, keep in mind that weekends and holidays can be busier, so try to arrive early or visit on a weekday if possible. Even on a hot summer day, Bear Country USA was a fantastic stop on our South Dakota road trip, offering a unique opportunity to see wildlife up close in a safe and family-friendly environment. Whether you’re traveling with kids or just looking for a fun and educational outing, Bear Country USA is definitely worth the visit.
For more on Bear Country USA check out their website here.
