Wyoming & South Dakota with Birding & Beers

The western edge of the Black Hills often goes overlooked, and that’s exactly why we love it. Far from the crowds, this quiet corner of northeastern Wyoming offers some of the best prairie and sagebrush birding in the region, with rolling grasslands, big skies, and abundant wildlife. This is our favorite stretch of the Black Hills—not the pine forests and tourist towns most people picture, but wide-open spaces where ferruginous hawks soar, lark buntings dance, and pronghorn roam with young at their heels.

Join Reefs to Rockies for a 4-day safari-style adventure through the sagebrush-steppe, grasslands, and forests of northeastern Wyoming and southwestern South Dakota. Our focus is on immersive birding experiences in places few others go. You’ll have the chance to see a variety of grassland specialists—from longspurs and curlews to shrikes, sparrows, and possibly sage-grouse—along with forest species associated with the region’s ponderosa pine woodlands. We’ll also venture into South Dakota in search of one of North America’s most iconic mammals: a free-roaming herd of bison, one of the largest in the world.

And yes, there will be beers. This trip is part of our popular Birding & Beers series, so we’ve built in time to sample a few local craft brews, including a visit to a Newcastle tavern that keeps a rotating lineup of Wyoming beers on tap.

We’ll travel in comfort and style in the Roaming Bison, a custom-built American safari van complete with a pop-top roof and spacious seating. Designed by two wildlife biologists, this one-of-a-kind vehicle offers 360-degree views and functions as a perfect mobile blind—ideal for birding on the move, with plenty of space for everyone to observe without crowding.

Whether you’re chasing lifers, soaking in prairie sunsets, or toasting the day’s sightings with a pint in hand, this trip promises wide-open skies, great birds, wild herds, and good company—all off the beaten path.

Link to detailed itinerary and registration information.

Note: Space isn't confirmed until deposit is paid.