Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup
The ground rumbles. The dust flies. Experience the spectacle of one of the last great traditions of the American West.
On the last Friday in September, cowboys, cowgirls and park crew round up a herd of 1,300+ American bison through Custer State Park. (Around here, people just call them "buffalo.") It's a dusty, dangerous job that keeps the herd healthy and grasslands thriving, but it's also something timeless: It's the Wild West, charging straight out of history and into the present.
71K acres 60 riders 1,300+ bison
61st Annual Buffalo Roundup: Friday, September 25, 2026
Mark your calendar: the next Buffalo Roundup will take place Friday, September 25, 2026. The event is free and open to the public. Whether you're attending or watching from home, follow along on Facebook, X and Instagram for photos and videos of the day, and be sure to use #BuffaloRoundup when sharing about the event.
Event Schedule
- Gates open at 6:15 a.m.
- Roundup begins at 9:30 a.m.
- Branding and sorting begins at 1 p.m.
Parking & Viewing
There are two parking lots and viewing areas for the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup. Both lots open at 6:15 a.m. and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Both offer unique vantage points, so you’ll have a great look at Custer State Park’s bison herd no matter which one you choose. Once you’ve selected a viewing area, you must remain there and cannot switch between the two locations once the herd is on the move.
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North Parking and Viewing: Head south from the State Game Lodge area on Wildlife Loop Road.
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South Parking and Viewing: Head east on Wildlife Loop Road near Blue Bell campground.
Accessible parking is available, and visitors must display an accessible parking emblem so they can be directed to the right area. Please note that while pets are allowed in the vehicle, it's recommended that you leave them at home.
After the roundup, shuttles are available for visitors who wish to head down to the corral area to see the branding and sorting.
Pass the Pancakes
Fuel up with pancakes, sausages and coffee starting at 6:15 a.m. in both viewing areas. Once the herd is safely rounded up, lunch is served at the corrals until 2 p.m. Both meals are available for a fee.
Don't Miss the Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival
Extend your Custer State Park visit into a full weekend at the Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival, running Thursday, September 24, through Saturday, September 26. Held near the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center, wander through more than 100 makers' tents until something catches your eye, like glazed pottery vases and colorful blown-glass ornaments. The sounds of banjos and fiddles carry across the festival grounds, while kids enjoy play zones all their own.
Planning Your Roundup Trip?
Ask our AI travel guide to help you plan your visit to the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup, including where to stay and the best tips.
You wait for it and wait for it all year long, and it takes about an hour and a half — but boy, in that hour and a half, you’re moving at lightning speed and you’re really getting after it.
”Buffalo Roundup Weekend Guide
When the dust settles, the adventure keeps going! From granite peaks to presidential faces, here's how to make the most of a Buffalo Roundup weekend.
Explore Custer State Park
Established in 1919, South Dakota’s first and largest state park welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors each year. Its mountains, hills and prairies provide habitat for wildlife including pronghorn, prairie dogs, elk, mountain goats, bighorn sheep and, of course, bison. Near Blue Bell Lodge, hike to the Mount Coolidge Fire Tower for the park's highest view. Or, hit the legendary Needles Highway to drive 14 miles of hairpin turns and granite spires along the Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway.
Where to Stay
Plan ahead to enjoy the weekend's Buffalo Roundup festivities with nearby lodging. Kick off your shoes and settle into cozy cabins or modern rooms at in-park favorites like State Game Lodge, Sylvan Lake Lodge, Legion Lake Lodge and Blue Bell Lodge. At Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort, sip your morning coffee on a private deck or book a treehouse with a kitchenette and linen bedding. Or, stay at EO Bungalows and end the day with dinner on the grill and a refreshing rainfall shower.
Must-Eats in Custer
Near Custer State Park, mornings start at Hjem A.M. with crispy Norwegian waffles and spicy, marinated chicken inspired by Scandinavian flavors. For lunch or dinner, try beer-battered fish and chips at The Custer Wolf Food & Drink or buttered halibut at Skogen Kitchen. Of course, there’s always room for dessert, from a cool scoop of creamy raspberry-lemonade sherbet at Horatio’s to a slice of fresh-baked rhubarb pie at Bobkat's Purple Pie Place.
Venture Into the Black Hills
Some of South Dakota's most iconic attractions lie just beyond the park: the presidential faces of Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the unfinished carving at Crazy Horse Memorial®, and the underground wonders of Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park. Head just south of Custer to explore mineral pools and prehistoric history in Hot Springs. Or discover more authentic western adventure in the northern Black Hills towns of Deadwood and Spearfish.
FAQs
Whether you're a first-timer or have multiple roundups under your belt, find helpful tips and answers to common questions.
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