Bear Country offers a safe way to observe all kinds of wildlife up close.

This wildlife park was a great stop on our Black Hills itinerary. Our kiddos had the chance to see all sorts of wild animals, right before our eyes, yet safe in the comfort of our car. We had the chance to see black bears, reindeer, elk, bison, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and more. It was amazing to just pull over when we'd spot an animal, and just observe them eating, playing, sleeping, or watching us back. Expect to spend a fair amount of time at this park; this is not a one-hour activity but at least a few hours. Once you meander through the entire drive through portion, you may choose to park in the back lot and walk around to observe the smaller animals and baby black bears. The kids enjoyed this part just as much as seeing the bigger animals from our car.

I loved knowing the kids were safe in our car, while still giving them the chance to observe and learn about different wild animals.

Bear Country was one of the pricier activities on our agenda, but it was worth the cost. The admission prices are based on the individuals in the car, not a per car price, though it tops out at $65 per vehicle. Adults are $18, children ages 5-12 are $12, children 4 and under are free, and seniors are $16. Special passes for military personnel are $16 and $11 respectively.

After you've had the chance to check out the animals at Bear Country, head just a short drive down the road to visit Mount Rushmore.