A cowboy wields a bullwhip to make a sound that moves bison during the Buffalo Roundup in Custer

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.

Watch the Livestream

Tune in at 9:30 a.m. MT on Friday, September 25, to watch the 61st Annual Buffalo Roundup live from Custer State Park.

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.

North Parking and Viewing: Head south from the State Game Lodge area on Wildlife Loop Road.
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.

Plan a Buffalo Roundup Weekend Visitor 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.

”

Bob Lantis (1935-2025)

53-time Rider

Video Series: Into the Roundup

Over 60 years of riders. One incredible hour and a half. Discover the people, the purpose and the legacy behind this South Dakota tradition.

It’s one thing to watch from the crowds. It’s another to ride through the dust and thunder on horseback. See for yourself what it’s like to chase buffalo across the plains during 90 minutes of raw adrenaline.

Once nearly lost to extinction, Custer State Park's American bison have risen from a herd of 36 to 1,300 strong. And for 60 years, the Buffalo Roundup has played a vital role in preserving and protecting one of North America’s most iconic animals.

The Buffalo Roundup’s story runs deep, rooted in a heritage that refuses to fade. Step back through time and see how this living tradition continues to ride strong, carrying the legacy of the Old West from one generation to the next.

There’s a lot more than just reins between a rider and their horse. There’s a relationship of movement, trust and understanding. The buffalo may be the star of the roundup, but without the horse, the show could never run.

While other roundups exist, none take place against the backdrop of South Dakota. Here, the vistas stretch on forever and the spirit of the West roams free. It’s a view, and a moment, that could only happen here.