Idaho’s Yellowstone Bear World Is A Must Stop On Your Summer Road Trip
Load up the family truckster, and head East! About 4 1/2 hours from Boise, along Hwy 20, you'll see Yellowstone Bear World in Rigby.
Of course, before you get there, you'll see the signs- lots of signs about the number of bears you'll see.
Yellowstone Bear World is truly a one-of-a-kind vacation destination on the way to other destinations like the actual Yellowstone.
The adventure begins when you drive through the gates and begin your slow trek into the park.
Following the instructions to drive 3-5 miles per hour, no stopping, keep your windows rolled up and doors locked, and the animals always have the right of way, you begin the visual hunt for wildlife. And it doesn't take long.
The first part of the drive-thru park is inhabited by bison, deer of all ages, and elk, including the rare white elk.
The second part of the drive-thru is all about the bears. Claiming that there are 60 grizzly and black bears is not an exaggeration. We didn't count, but we truly saw bears out every window of our SUV.
Probably more Black Bears than Grizzlies, but they were everywhere. Some lumbering across our path, others sitting along the paved roads panting in the heat, a few lounging in the shade of their man-made dens, and some cooling off in the water features in their enclosure.
We even witnessed several employees walking through the park and encountering the bears and interacting with them like they were pets. It was obvious that these animals were very well cared for and in good condition.
Side note: I highly recommend you clean all your windows thoroughly inside and out prior to driving through for best visibility and pictures.
Exiting the drive-thru portion of the park takes you back to the parking lot and the 3 Bears Gift Shop. Stopping for a photo op with the bear statue on the way in, you enter a gift shop full of everything you would expect and some surprises.
Of course, it's full of stuffed animals, logoed T-shirts and hoodies, hats, pocket knives, and various toys. But this gift shop also offers a wide variety of handmade fudge. You have to try it and buy it.
READ MORE: 10 Amazing Reasons You Need To Take A Road Trip Through Idaho
And the one thing my girls begged for was a make-your-own stuffed animal (think Build-A-Bear) station. Pick your animal, then they fill it with stuffing and even add different sounds.
Making your way out of the gift shop into the back of Bear World takes you to the cub enclosures, snack shack, petting zoo, and amusement park rides.
This is all included with your admission. There are several photo op backdrops; you can feed some huge trout and ducks in the adjacent pond, pet deer and goats in the petting zoo, and ride a variety of rides - a mini rollercoaster, spinning bears, a kiddie train, and a ferris wheel.
You can also bottle feed the cubs who spend most of their day lounging in mini bear piles in their dens while adoring tourists snap pics and hope for playful moments to capture.
The food is good, and they feature Reed's Dairy ice cream, which was a plus. One woman in line said she was from Florida and was told she had to try huckleberry ice cream while she was visiting; little did she know she was about to taste the best in Idaho.
The newest addition to Yellowstone Bear World is Jurassic Creek in Rigby, Idaho
A walk-through addition that features prehistoric backdrops and life-size realistic animatronic dinosaurs.
It's actually quite impressive to see a full-size Brontosaurus and T- Rex that are moving and roaring.
Jurassic Creek also features a snack shack and gift shop, and their newest additions, a carousel and water fountains that are synced to a looped music soundtrack that plays a variety of music.
It may not be the Bellagio Fountains, but it's pretty cool to sit and watch while rocking in the provided rocking chairs.
Truth be told, we have been many times to Yellowstone Bear World, but it seems it's a little different each time and always a fun family adventure.
Prices are pretty reasonable as well, considering you have unlimited trips through the park and unlimited rides too.
READ MORE: A Complete Guide Of The Best Free Things To Do In Idaho This Summer
Just $27.95 for adults, $26.95 for seniors (65+), $14.95 kids (3-10), Toddler 2 & under are free, and a carload of 7 is just $139. You can purchase tickets online HERE or buy at the gate.
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Gallery Credit: Jen Austin - TSM Boise
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