What to Know:
Smokey Bear turns 81 on August 9, and the Pactola Visitor Center is throwing him a party. Join the celebration of the Forest Service’s most famous bear and the wildfire-prevention message he has carried for generations.
Stop by from 10 a.m. to noon or from 2 to 3 p.m. for the festivities, including a demonstration by Pactola Visitor Center staff of how forest fires behave (conducted in a safe, controlled setting only).
Getting there: the Pactola Visitor Center sits above Pactola Reservoir on US Highway 385, about 15 miles west of Rapid City.
About the Pactola Visitor Center summer programs: The Black Hills National Forest hosts free, family-friendly programs at the Pactola Visitor Center through the summer and early fall. Each session pairs a short hands-on activity with a Forest Service presenter, and all ages are welcome. No registration is required. The visitor center sits above Pactola Reservoir on US Highway 385, about 15 miles west of Rapid City. Programs are free, and schedules can shift with weather, so check ahead before you drive out. The Black Hills Parks and Forests Association is glad to help share these Forest Service programs.
