Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway

Wind through pine-covered hills, rolling prairies and red-walled canyons while viewing Custer State Park’s wild animal kingdom.

WILDLIFE LOOP'S BUFFALO HERD

The 1,300-head buffalo herd steals the show here. The entire herd roams throughout the park while large portions gather in viewing spots along the byway. Although they appear seemingly gentle, American bison are deceptively fast and dangerous. Stay in your vehicle when around them.

Where are the Custer State Park Buffalo Today?

The Custer State Park Visitor Center offers a great video overview of the park and displays a park map with the buffalo's whereabouts that day.

Get to Know the Buffalo at the Custer State Park Bison Center

The Custer State Park Bison Center at the Buffalo Corrals is a must-see stop along Wildlife Loop Road. Talk to park officials about the park and wildlife. Then, get an all-bison experience by taking the scenic drive through the 71,000-acre park in the southern prairie.

See Even More Buffalo with a Guided Tour

Extend your Wildlife Loop experience outside your car and into a Jeep. Book a guided tour through Custer State Park with a Buffalo Safari Jeep Ride.

HOW LONG IS THE WILDLIFE LOOP?

Wildlife Loop Scenic Byway stretches 18 miles inside Custer State Park (in a U-shape), from the park’s east entrance to the Blue Bell entrance on the western side. Plan on a minimum of 1.5 to 2 hours to drive this route. It varies depending on how much time you spend enjoying the buffalo herd or making friends with burros, but allow at least 1.5 hours to drive the Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway.

The full loop adds 12 miles (for a 30-mile total) and approximately 30 minutes (for 2 to 2.5 hours total) with few stops.

WHAT ANIMALS LIVE ALONG THE WILDLIFE LOOP?

Bighorn sheep, pronghorn, deer, elk, coyote, prairie dogs and numerous bird species, including wild turkey — in addition to Custer State Park’s exquisite buffalo — call Custer State Park and the Wildlife Loop Road home.

Quite often found near the loop road’s southeastern tip, wild burros (that don’t seem so wild) beg for snacks from passing vehicles. These friendly residents descended from pack animals used by miners and others in the Black Hills.

Park rules prohibit feeding any wildlife in the park. Please use good judgment and understand the potential risks of interactions with the burros. These docile donkeys don’t need junk food any more than humans do (even if it is delicious).

WHEN TO VISIT

Plan a morning or evening drive for the best chances of catching the animals in action.

The loop is open year-round to visitors with a South Dakota State Park Entrance License or a Temporary Custer State Park pass, both available online or at entrance stations.

Winter in Custer State Park lends visitors more solitude than other seasons, and you can’t beat the wildlife photo opportunities in the snow.

HIKING NEAR THE WILDLIFE LOOP 

Get the blood flowing on either of two hiking trails starting along the Wildlife Loop. The Prairie Trail is a moderate 3-mile loop into the grasslands where numerous wildflowers bloom throughout the spring and summer. The Centennial Trail intersects the byway near its western end. Approximately 22 miles of the Centennial Trail is located inside Custer State Park, allowing hikers to get some steps in while taking in the natural beauty.

FOOD & RESTROOMS ALONG THE ROUTE

Hungry explorers enjoy hearty meals at Blue Bell Lodge, the historical State Game Lodge, Legion Lake Lodge or Sylvan Lake Lodge. You can also find grab-and-go options and quick snacks at Coolidge General Store, State Game Lodge Gift Shop, Bison Center Gift Shop, Blue Bell Store and Legion Lake Store.

Modern restrooms are available at the east entrance, the Custer State Park Visitor Center, Coolidge General Store and State Game Lodge. On the south end, visitors find Custer State Park Bison Center restrooms. The west end offers relief at Blue Bell Lodge and Blue Bell Store.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Custer State Park is just a short drive from more iconic Black Hills attractions. Enhance your Wildlife Loop Road adventure by adding these must-see stops to your itinerary.

1. Wildlife Loop to Mount Rushmore via Iron Mountain Road: East Entrance

Start from the Custer State Park Visitor Center at the east entrance and take Iron Mountain Road to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. This under-20-mile route takes around 45 minutes due to its lively twists and turns through the Black Hills.

2. Wildlife Loop to Crazy Horse Memorial® and Jewel Cave National Monument via Custer: West Entrance

Starting at Custer State Park’s West Entrance Station, drive 9 miles (16 minutes) to Crazy Horse Memorial®. Jewel Cave National Monument is about 16 miles (22 minutes) from the west entrance. Both routes pass through the town of Custer, where scenic drivers can find breweries, bakeries, lodging, art galleries, gift shops and award-winning restaurants.

3. Wildlife Loop to Wind Cave National Park: Blue Bell Entrance

Drive 6 miles (about 10 minutes) to Wind Cave National Park from the Blue Bell Entrance.

MORE SOUTH DAKOTA SCENIC BYWAYS:

• Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway
• Spearfish Canyon State and National Forest Service Scenic Byway
• Badlands Loop Scenic Byway
• Native American National and State Scenic Byway