Birding & Beers Safari Through Wyoming and South Dakota

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.

ABOUT YOUR EXPEDITION LEADER

Kyle Carlsen from Reefs to Rockies is thrilled to lead this expedition through the open country of Wyoming and South Dakota. On his first visit to Weston County, he quickly fell in love with the region’s rich wildlife and vast landscapes—quiet places far from the crowds that offer unparalleled birding and wildlife experiences. With a strong background in avian research and conservation, Kyle brings extensive field experience and a track record of published work in journals, books, and magazines. His travels have taken him across North America, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia, deepening his expertise in diverse ecosystems. His engaging storytelling makes every trip both educational and inspiring.

 

ITINERARY

Day 1 (Sat, June 27):

Denver to Cheyenne to Newcastle. We’ll depart Denver in the morning for a scenic drive to the western slopes of the Black Hills in northeastern Wyoming, with birdy, picturesque stops along the way. Once we’ve arrived and settled into our accommodations in Newcastle, we’ll enjoy dinner before heading out on a sunset safari through the expansive sagebrush-steppe just west of town. Keep your eyes peeled for raptors, prairie dogs, pronghorn with babies in tow, and an array of grassland birds like lark buntings and dickcissels. As night falls, the grasslands come alive with nighthawks, owls, and jackrabbits.

Accommodations: Newcastle Lodge & Convention Center
Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2 (Sun, June 28): Full-Day Birding and Wildlife Viewing in Weston County. We’ll kick off the day with a light breakfast and hot coffee, then head out for a sunrise safari through the local grasslands. The morning chorus of grassland songbirds will welcome us as we scan the landscape for pronghorn, long-billed curlews, upland sandpipers, prairie falcons, ferruginous hawks, loggerhead shrikes, and other early risers. After the drive, we’ll return to town for a hearty breakfast, then explore nearby hotspots with shady walks and chances to spot higher-elevation species. With sagebrush-steppe to the west and ponderosa forest to the east, today offers the best of both worlds—a perfect setting for a full day of birding!

Accommodations: Newcastle Lodge & Convention Center
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 3 (Mon, June 29): South Dakota Safari. Today we’ll cross into South Dakota to explore its ecologically rich southwestern corner, home to wildlife like bison, pronghorn, and elk. We’ll bird our way through scenic sites such as Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park, building our lists in a new state. The free-roaming bison herd here is one of the largest in the world. After a full day of wildlife and birdwatching, we’ll return to our cozy base in Newcastle for the night.

Accommodations: Newcastle Lodge & Convention Center
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 4 (Tuesday, June 30): Heading Home. We’ll savor one last wildlife drive and a hearty breakfast in Newcastle before beginning our journey back to Colorado. A final stop in Cheyenne gives us the chance to enjoy a relaxed brewery lunch together before we cross the border and head home.

Accommodations: Newcastle Lodge & Convention Center
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

DETAILS

Price: $1995* per person based on two people sharing a double occupancy room. Add $345** if you prefer a private, single occupancy room.

Inclusions: double occupancy accommodations, expedition leader, transportation in custom 4WD safari van from North Denver meeting point, daily guided birding and wildlife viewing with spotting scope available, entrance fees, special use permits, all meals starting with Lunch on Day 1 through Lunch on Day 4, 2 brewery experiences, and gratuities for your guide and at restaurant meals.

Exclusions: transportation to/from meeting point in north Denver, activities not listed, travel insurance, and personal expenses.

*Reflects payment by check or ACH. Credit card fees assessed at time of payment.

**If you are a solo traveler that prefers to share a room, we’ll do our best to pair you. If we are unable to find a roommate for you, the private room supplement will apply.

Group Size: Min 5 and max 7 participants + Kyle Carlsen. We are known for smaller group sizes with a better participant to guide ratio than most companies offering similar itineraries. The trip starts and ends in the Denver Metro area.

A Note About Gratuities: Your trip cost includes gratuities for your guide, as well as at restaurants for included meals. This allows us to reliably and equitably compensate everyone working so hard to keep you happy, healthy, and safe during your trip.

Level of Difficulty – Easy: This trip primarily involves short walks on mostly level gravel roads or paths. Terrain may be uneven at times but is not difficult to navigate. Most walks will be under a mile with a total distance of up to three miles on a given day. Participants must be comfortable climbing in and out of a lifted 4WD passenger van with stool provided.

A Note About Minimum Group Size: If fewer than the minimum number of participants register, we may still be able to run the trip by adding a group supplement fee per person based on the number of people registered. That fee will be subject to approval by the registered participants.

Reserve Your Spot Now!