The Buffalo Roundup at Custer State Park: A South Dakota Tradition Unlike Any Other
There are travel experiences that are fun, and then there are experiences that stay with you long after you’ve returned home. The Buffalo Roundup at Custer State Park firmly falls into the latter category. Equal parts history, heritage, and jaw-dropping spectacle, this annual event is one of the most unforgettable ways to experience South Dakota’s Black Hills.
A Park Steeped in History
Custer State Park is South Dakota’s first and largest state park, with a history dating back to 1897, just eight years after South Dakota joined the Union. When Congress granted sections 16 and 36 in every township to the state as school lands, South Dakota struggled to manage the scattered parcels within the Black Hills timberland.
By 1906, negotiations began to exchange these scattered lands for a more manageable, solid block. In 1910, South Dakota relinquished rights to more than 60,000 acres of timberland within the Black Hills Forest Reserve in exchange for nearly 50,000 acres in Custer County and about 12,000 acres in Harding County. These parcels were designated Custer State Forest in 1912.
Thanks to the urging of “prairie statesman” Governor Peter Norbeck and action by the State Legislature, Custer State Forest officially became Custer State Park, a place that now protects stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, and deep-rooted traditions.
Visiting the Custer State Park Visitor Center
Custer State Park Visitor Center
Before exploring the park, a stop at the Custer State Park Visitor Center is well worth your time. Open year-round (except major holidays), the Visitor Center features interactive exhibits, including a massive map of the park, a 20-foot-scale model of the Needles rock formations, and displays highlighting the park’s diverse natural world.
One of the standout features is the focus on the park’s most iconic residents, the buffalo. A state-of-the-art theater shows a 20-minute film narrated by Kevin Costner, offering insight into the land, wildlife, and spirit of the park.
The Visitor Center is located just east of the State Game Lodge at the junction of Wildlife Loop Road and US 16A. An entrance license is required for most visits and costs $25 per vehicle for up to seven days.
The Buffalo Roundup: A One-of-a-Kind Event
Buffalo Roundup Custer State Park
Held on the last Friday of September each year (Friday, September 25, 2026) the Buffalo Roundup is one of the most anticipated events in the region and coincides with the Arts Festival.
Custer State Park is home to one of the largest publicly owned American bison herds in the world. The annual roundup is a critical wildlife management tool, keeping the herd balanced with the available land and resources while maintaining a strong and healthy population. Most of the buffalo return right back to their home on the park’s grasslands.
Watching cowboys and cowgirls round up and drive approximately 1,300 buffalo across the prairie is nothing short of incredible. The event draws more than 20,000 spectators each year.
What to Expect on Roundup Day
The roundup is viewed from Wildlife Loop Road, where temporary northern and southern viewing areas are set up. Parking is available at the southernmost tip of Loop Road.
The Buffalo Roundup begins at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time, but parking lots open as early as 6:15 a.m. If you want a good spot, arriving early is essential. We were in line to enter the park by 4:30 a.m., and there were already plenty of people ahead of us. Our alarm went off at 2:30 a.m., so getting to bed early the night before is a must.
Guests must remain in the viewing areas until the herd is safely in the corrals, typically around noon. Testing, branding, and sorting of the buffalo begin at 1:00 p.m. and continue until approximately 3:00 p.m., with crews working the remainder of the herd throughout October.
Food, Festival, and Practical Tips
The Buffalo Roundup is a free event, and a state park pass is not required on the day of the roundup. That said, if you’re planning a longer stay or a weeklong adventure, purchasing a park pass is absolutely worth it.
Pancakes, sausages, and drinks are available starting at 6:15 a.m. at both viewing areas, and buffalo brisket lunch is served at the corrals once the roundup concludes. You’re also welcome to bring your own food and drinks, just be sure to clean up after yourself. We packed our breakfast and lunch the night before since we weren’t sure how quickly food might sell out.
Weather can vary dramatically this time of year, so dressing in layers is key. We experienced a chilly morning but were comfortable with warm layers and blankets. By afternoon, the sun was out and t-shirts were perfect. We heard stories of other years bringing inches of snow and bitter cold or extreme heat that can stress the herd and delay the roundup.
Custer State Park bison herd
Recommended items to bring include:
Folding chairs
Cameras and binoculars
Warm layers and blankets
Rain gear
Sunscreen
The Arts Festival & Cowboy Traditions
The Buffalo Roundup & Arts Festival runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of the same weekend on the State Game Lodge Arts Festival Lawn. Food vendors, live entertainment, and art booths fill the grounds, making it a great place to spend time before or after the roundup. Specific festival hours are posted each year in the official flyer.
Custer State Park also has a long tradition of involving private citizens in the roundup. Multiple riding positions are open to the public each year, with selected riders notified in June. Riders must provide their own horse and wait five years before applying again after participating. Joining the cowboys and cowgirls is the Governor of South Dakota, making this event even more special.
More Things to Do in Custer State Park
Beyond the Buffalo Roundup, there’s no shortage of adventure inside the park. Some highlights include:
The “Begging Burros”
Buffalo Safari Jeep Tours
Guided trail rides
Hayrides and chuck wagon cookouts
Driving the Peter Norbeck Scenic Highway and Needles Highway
Hiking through breathtaking Black Hills landscapes
And don’t forget to keep an eye out for the park’s famous “begging burros.” These semi-wild donkeys are often found along the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road, especially near the Bison Center. While visitors are known to feed them carrots and apples, remember to enjoy them responsibly.
Where We Stayed & Where We Ate
Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort
Lodging inside Custer State Park includes Blue Bell Lodge, Legion Lake Lodge, State Game Lodge, Creekside Lodge, and Sylvan Lake Lodge, along with several campgrounds both inside and outside the park.
We chose to stay just outside the park at Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort, and it was a fantastic home base. Set on 85 acres, the resort blends modern comfort with nature and offers RV sites, deluxe cabins, glamping tents, luxury teepees, treehouses, and camping cabins. Amenities include a general store, complimentary Wi-Fi, solar-heated pools, and outdoor concessions and bar.
While we enjoyed making dinner in our camper most nights, we did venture into downtown Custer after a day of shopping and treated ourselves to dinner at The Begging Burro Mexican Bistro. The margaritas were delicious, and the food did not disappoint. One thing to keep in mind: if you’re visiting outside peak season, many restaurants and shops close for the year.
Final Thoughts
If the Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival aren’t already on your bucket list, they absolutely should be. From the thunder of hooves and sweeping prairie views to the deep history and community pride, this event captures the heart of the Black Hills like nothing else. Custer State Park is more than a destination—it’s an experience, and the Buffalo Roundup is its crown jewel.
Know Before You Go: Checklist
✔ Arrive early — parking opens at 6:15 a.m. (earlier is better)
✔ Set alarms early — we were up by 2:30 a.m.
✔ Dress in layers — weather can range from freezing to t-shirt temps
✔ Bring folding chairs, blankets, and binoculars
✔ Pack food & drinks to avoid sellouts
✔ Plan to stay in viewing areas until noon
✔ Expect large crowds (20,000+ people attend)
✔ Check weather conditions before you go
✔ Remember: No park pass required on Roundup day
