Note: You are viewing this in a printer-friendly format. Switch to normal view.

Homepage What To Do Rapid City Itineraries Wildlife Safari

Wildlife Safari Itinerary
Bear Country, USA
BEAR COUNTRY, USA

Morning: BEAR COUNTRY USA

Bear Country USA is a drive-through wild animal park open May to late November. Here you can take a leisurely three-mile drive through the forest to view North American mammals. Encounter black bear, elk, reindeer, deer, cougars, bobcats, rocky mountain goats, bighorn sheep, dall sheep and buffalo. Don't forget to stop by Babyland where you can see black bear cubs and other tiny tots.


Baby Cub Wolf Bear
BEAR CUB WOLF BEAR

Mid-Morning/Afternoon: REPTILE GARDENS

After viewing warm-blooded species, drive a short distance to Reptile Gardens. here you'll see one of the world's largest collections of reptiles including giant tortoises and a huge crocodile named "Maniac." Also enjoy animal shows and a botanical garden filled with exotic plants, flowers and animals.


Crocodile  Outside Giant Tortoise  
Crocodile Show Outside Giant Tortious

Afternoon: CUSTER STATE PARK WILDLIFE

See where the buffalo roam in Custer State Park, approximately 50 miles from Rapid City. The 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road winds around the southern edge of the park and offers close-up views of the park's 1,500 roaming buffalo, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, prairie dogs and curious burros. After viewing wildlife, head back to Rapid City via Needles highway and Iron Mountain Road. This National Scenic Byway winds through the granite spires of the Needles, twists along pigtails bridges and through granite tunnels with views of Mount Rushmore.


 Driving Through The Buffalo Burro  Ram 
DRIVE THROUGH THE BUFFALO FEED THE BURROS RAM



View Wildlife Safari in a larger map