Let’s see if we can read the sign:

ENTERING
BEAR COUNTRY
“A HONEY OF A PLACE SINCE ’72”
PERMITS MUST BE OBTAINED FOR TREE-CLIMBING,
FISHING, SCRATCHING AND HIBERNATING
(PERMANENT RESIDENTS EXCEPTED)
NO PERMIT NECESSARY FOR FEEDING BEARS
 
J. AUDUBON WOODLORE
PARK RANGER
 
URSUS AMERICANUS
NATURALIST

How would you like a hot bath in Bear Country for just 25 cents?

Don’t get your hopes up. The structure with the “Hot Baths 25¢” sign is actually just a north-woodsy themed restroom building. And you can use those restrooms without paying 25 cents (or using a “B” coupon).

Hungry or thirsty? Visit the Golden Bear Lodge restaurant or the Mile Long Bar.

It sounds like someone is snoring... It must be Rufus the Bear.

Disneyland’s Bear Country opened in 1972, in the area previously occupied by the Indian Village.

In addition to one major attraction, the Country Bear Jamboree, Bear Country also offered two other attractions—Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes (formerly the Indian War Canoes) and Teddi Barra’s Swingin’ Arcade.

With the 1989 opening of Splash Mountain, Bear Country became Critter Country. The Bear Country “Baths” were torn down to make room for Splash Mountain.

The Golden Bear Lodge restaurant is now the Hungry Bear Restaurant. The Mile Long Bar is now named Brer Bar.

Rufus the Bear moved into Splash Mountain for a couple of years. You could hear him snoring right before the first drop. Rufus was chased out by Brer Bear, who now lives in the cave.

Country Bear Jamboree The All-New Woody's Roundup Home

© 2007 Werner Weiss — Disclaimers, Copyright, and Trademarks

Updated September 25, 2006.

Photograph of Bear Country entrance: 1974 by Werner Weiss.
Photograph of Bear Country Baths: 1974 by Werner Weiss.
Photograph of the Mile Long Bar: 1973 by Bill Nelson.