Once a year, people can see a herd of 1,400 bison thunder through Custer State Park.
Custer State Park, in the Black Hills of western South Dakota, is full of lush forests, quiet and serene meadows, and majestic mountains. This 71,000-acre state park is also home to over a thousand bison--one of the world's largest publicly owned bison herds.
Each fall, the ground rumbles and the dust flies as cowboys, cowgirls and park crews saddle up to bring in the thundering herd.
The annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival gets underway Thursday with more than 100 vendors offering fine arts and crafts as well as South Dakota-made products. It continues through Saturday.
The actual roundup of approximately 1,400 buffalo takes place Sept. 30. On Friday, parking lots open at 6:15 a.m. Early arrival is recommended. Gov. Kristi Noem, Custer State Park Superintendent Matt Snyder, and Department of Tourism Secretary James Hagen will hold a media conference following the roundup at approximately noon Mountain time at the new Bison Center near the corrals in Custer State Park.
There is no admission to the roundup or the Arts Festival, but a park entrance license is required Thursday and Saturday. An entrance license is not required Friday.
Categories: South Dakota, Rural Lifestyle