The Traveling Tinkers = Bear Country USA - Black Hills of South Dakota

 On the road to Mt. Rushmore there is a fantastic place called Bear Country USA, in the black hills of South Dakota. We ran into some friendly travelers like ourselves at the campground who told us this is a MUST SEE. So off we went. 

The price was high, but from the comfort of our vehicle we were able to see bears, artic wolf, timber wolf, mountain goals, and more. Up close and personal. They are in a controlled enviroment and are fed well prior to people coming into the park.  There are strict rules as in keep your windows closed, do not get out of the car for any reason. 

After you drive take a wildlife walk around the area where you can view park offspring, smaller animals and the must see baby bears.

It was great to see and highly recommend to others. 

Founder & Family

Doc Casey was born in Mitchell, S.D. He attended Carroll College in Helena, Mont., and graduated in pre-dental. He completed his dental education at Creighton Dental School in Omaha, Neb. Doc practiced dentistry in Rapid City for 30 years. After opening Bear Country U.S.A in 1972, he continued to practice dentistry on a limited basis. He retired from his practice in 1992 to devote all of his time and effort to the wildlife park.

Pauline Casey was born in New York City, and grew up in the Los Angeles area. She graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s College in Los Angeles with a degree in nursing. She practiced public health nursing with the Los Angeles County Health Department in the Watts District. Pauline came to South Dakota in 1958 working as a public health nurse with the Pennington County Health Department. She also practiced as a staff nurse with the Rapid City School System and as a nursing education assistant in public health with South Dakota State College.

Doc and Pauline married in 1959 and opened Bear Country U.S.A. in 1972. They have seven children: Kevin, Dennis, Brendan, Sean, Shannon, Michael and John. They also have sixteen grandchildren. Bear Country is owned and operated by Pauline, Shannon, Mike and John.

Community Service

As a general rule, Bear Country U.S.A. cannot take animals from the wild. However, there have been some exceptions. Often a state Fish and Game Department will call the park because they have a young orphaned animal that will be destroyed if they cannot find a home. Bear Country U.S.A. can take these young animals because there is still time to expose them to humans. Several Bear Country residents come from these benevolent transactions.

Bear Country USA serves the greater Black Hills community on the premises by offering discounted admission for local school groups during the month of May.

Bear Country USA chooses to support area programs and organizations which benefit children and families in the Black Hills with both in-kind and cash donations.