About Me

I grew up in Belleville, Kansas – a town of about 2000 people and home of the Battlin’ Buffaloes. Yes, the Buffaloes were the grade school and high school mascot in my hometown. “LET’S GO, BUFFALOES! Let’s GO BuffaLOES” I proudly wore one of my dozens of “Buffs” t-shirts to school on most days, and I even had a buffalo stuffed animal next to my bed.

Despite growing up in “Buff Country,” I don’t recall seeing a live buffalo until adulthood. Even then, my buffalo sightings were limited to just a handful of buffalo at some preserve.

But Custer State Park? It’s home to nearly 1500 buffalo!

In my opinion, there’s no better place to see buffalo than at Custer State Park in western South Dakota.

Lana Knedlik as a Belleville Buffalo. GO BUFFS!

Early History: The Plight of the American Buffalo

In the 19th century, the American buffalo (also called bison) roamed the plains of North America in the millions. These iconic creatures were crucial to the livelihood of Native American tribes, providing sustenance, shelter, and materials for various purposes. However, westward expansion, overhunting, and the construction of the transcontinental railroad led to a dramatic decline in buffalo populations.

By the late 1800s, the buffalo were on the brink of extinction, with only a few hundred remaining in the wild. Recognizing the urgent need for conservation, a handful of visionaries took steps to protect this majestic species and its habitat. One of them was Peter Norbeck.

Buffalo and the Founding of Custer State Park

Peter Norbeck was a South Dakota conservationist who would later become the state’s Governor and U.S. Senator. He fell in love with the rugged terrain of the southern Black Hills, and in 1912, Norbeck helped establish the Custer State Forest. In 1914, three dozen buffalo were purchased from the Scotty Philip’s herd near Pierre, South Dakota. Just five years later, Custer State Park was officially made a state park. By 1924, the buffalo herd had grown to about 100 animals. As the herd grew, park officials would round them up periodically (every 2-5 years). In 1965, the roundup became an annual event with the first annual auction held in early 1966.

About the Buffalo Roundup

Custer State Park’s expansive grasslands and diverse ecosystem provides an ideal environment for buffalo to thrive. The primary objective of the Buffalo Roundup is to manage the growing buffalo herd, preventing overpopulation and preserving the ecological balance of the park. By managing the buffalo population, Custer State Park ensures that the ecosystem remains in balance, preventing overgrazing and resource depletion. Depending on the herd size, 300-500 bison will be sold at the park's annual auction later in the fall. The park also uses the roundup as an opportunity to vaccinate, brand, and perform health assessments (such as pregnancy tests) on the buffalo.

The Buffalo Roundup in Custer State Park is now a time-honored tradition that combines the thrilling spectacle of bison herding with the rich history of conservation efforts in the American West. It's not just about managing the buffalo herd anymore; it's a celebration of the American West's heritage and an opportunity for visitors to connect with nature and history.

In short, the Buffalo Roundup in Custer State Park is a “bucket list” experience.

When is the Buffalo Roundup?

Vern Ekstrom Sale Office near the buffalo corrals in Custer State Park

The Buffalo Roundup is typically held on the last Friday in September. An auction is later held in the fall, usually in early November.

The celebration for the Buffalo Roundup takes place over a period of three days (Thursday-Saturday).

How many people attend the Buffalo Roundup?

The three-day Buffalo Roundup at Custer State Park reportedly attracts close to 30,000 spectators annually. The official count for the Friday roundup in 2023 was 22,590 spectators.

That’s a lot of “Buff” fans like me.

What are the Parking and Viewing Options for Spectators at the Buffalo Roundup?

Road access to the North and South viewing areas of the Buffalo Roundup at Custer State Park

There are two viewing areas for the Buffalo Roundup.

North Parking and Viewing | Head south from the Game Lodge area on Wildlife Loop Road. (See teal path on map.)
South Parking and Viewing | Head east on Wildlife Loop Road near Blue Bell campground. (See green path on map.)

Both viewing areas are reportedly equally good for seeing the buffalo herd. The buffalo herd goes by the South Viewing area first and then heads towards the North Viewing area as generally shown in the map below.

Two important things to note about parking:

First, Wildlife Loop Road is closed in the area near Lame Johnny Road. Therefore, all vehicles must depart the way they entered.
Second, the parking lot for the South Viewing area is smaller so if it fills up, park rangers and volunteers will make vehicles backtrack and send vehicles up and around to the North Viewing area.

We chose the watch the Buffalo Roundup from the North Viewing area because (1) it was closer to our campground near Rapid City and (2) we did not want to worry about not getting a parking spot in the South Viewing area.

What Should Spectators Bring to the Buffalo Roundup?

When attending the Buffalo Roundup, here’s what we recommend bringing:

Patience. Lots of patients. You can expect to wait up to two hours to get into Custer State Park on the day of the Buffalo Roundup.
Viewing Gear. Cameras and binoculars are a must. We could spot the buffalo coming down a hill way way way in the distance, and could see the herd gathering speed as they kept going.
Sittin’ Gear. Most people sit in camping chairs or spread out a blanket on the ground. The north viewing area is one big hill so personally, I think that a blanket works a little better than camping chairs.
Appropriate Attire. Depending on the weather, it’s a good idea to bring layered clothing, rain gear, and sunscreen. If you have any buffalo-themed hats or other garb, wear it!
Provisions. Lastly, bring drinks, snacks maybe even pack a lunch. There are limited food/drink options at Custer State Park (see below), and because of the crowds, there are usually long lines for provisions.

What Else Goes on at the Buffalo Roundup?

Custer State Park Bison Center (right) and Buffalo Corrals (left)

Education. The Bison Center is located just across from the corrals. This $4M+ facility (constructed in 2022) is worth a stop to learn more about the buffalo as a species, the Buffalo Roundup, and herd management practices.
Breakfast (sorta). Volunteers serve a Cowboy Breakfast (pancakes) for spectators. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived to the North Viewing area, the pancakes were sold out.
Lunch. The park also serves Cowboy Lunch near the Bison Center (white tent in the photo). In 2023, our lunch consisted of baked beans, a bag of chips, cookie, soda/water, and of course, buffalo brisket! The cost was $20.
Work. After the buffaloes are herded into a large fenced-in pasture area at near the Bison Center, the park rangers and volunteers herd the buffalo into corrals for health checks and population management. This process starts roughly at noon and finishes up (just for the day) by mid-afternoon. The park rangers continue their work for the weeks an months following the Buffalo Roundup.
Culture. An art fair is also held near the Custer State Park Visitor Center on Thursday-Saturday. The art fair has food trucks.

Should You Go to the Buffalo Roundup?

Well, I certainly think the Buffalo Roundup is a must-do experience. If you want to get really good feel for what goes on, please check out our video.

Buffalo Roundup in Custer State Park: What to Know