Custer State Park in the southern Black Hills protects about 71,000 acres of granite, grassland, and ponderosa forest, and it is home to one of the largest publicly owned bison herds in the world, around 1,300 animals. The centerpiece for most visitors is the Wildlife Loop Road, an 18-mile route through open prairie where bison, pronghorn, deer, and the park's famous begging burros gather. Here is how to do the loop right and what else to see nearby. To weave it into a full South Dakota trip, see our 10-day South Dakota wilderness road trip itinerary.
Driving the Wildlife Loop Road
The Wildlife Loop Road swings through the rolling grasslands in the southern and eastern part of the park, away from the granite spires. Plan on at least 1.5 to 2 hours so you can stop often. The herd moves, so there is no guaranteed spot, but the open prairie sections near the loop's midpoint are usually most productive. Drive slowly, pull fully off the road for wildlife, and never get between a cow bison and her calf.
- Length: about 18 miles
- Time: 1.5 to 2 hours with stops
- Best times: early morning and the hour before sunset
- Pass: a Custer State Park entrance license is required
Meet the Begging Burros
The park's begging burros are descendants of donkeys once used to carry visitors to the top of Black Elk Peak. Now feral and friendly, they often crowd cars looking for handouts. They are a beloved photo op, but park staff ask visitors not to feed them human food, both for the animals' health and your own safety, since they can nip and kick.
The Buffalo Roundup
Every late September, Custer State Park holds the Buffalo Roundup, when cowboys and cowgirls on horseback herd the entire bison herd into corrals for health checks and herd management. It draws thousands of spectators and is one of the great wildlife spectacles in the United States. If you visit in fall, check the date in advance, as roads and viewing areas fill early.
The Scenic Drives Beyond the Loop
Two more drives make Custer State Park a road-tripper's dream:
- Needles Highway (SD 87): a winding route past granite spires and through one-lane rock tunnels, including the famous Needles Eye
- Iron Mountain Road (US 16A): features pigtail bridges and tunnels framing distant Mount Rushmore
Stretch Your Legs: Short Hikes Near the Loop
Pair the drive with a walk. The Lover's Leap Trail (about 4 miles) climbs from the park center to a rocky overlook, while the easy Sylvan Lake Shore Trail (1 mile) loops a granite-rimmed lake at the park's northwest corner. Both are good ways to break up a day of slow driving and wildlife watching.
Tips for a Great Visit
Come early or stay late: bison and pronghorn are most active in the cool hours, and the low light is best for photos. Keep at least 100 feet from bison at all times; they are fast and unpredictable despite looking placid. Top off your gas in Custer or Hermosa, bring water, and budget extra time, since you will stop more than you expect. The loop is open year-round, but wildlife viewing is best from spring through fall, with the September roundup as the marquee event.
