Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup ran on 25 September
Published on 09/27/2026 at 15:15 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Custer State Park hosted the 2026 Buffalo Roundup on 25 September 2026, while the Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival ran from 24 to 26 September in Custer, United States. The event brought the park's bison management programme and a public arts festival together at the end of September.
Buffalo Roundup and arts festival ran from 24 to 26 September
The roundup began at 9.30am Mountain Time on 25 September, according to South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. The organiser said parking lots opened at 6.15am, and guests remained in the viewing areas until the herd reached the corrals, generally around noon.
The official programme described cowboys and cowgirls driving approximately 1,300 buffalo. Testing, branding and sorting began at 1pm, while crews continued working with the remainder of the herd in October. The official Buffalo Roundup programme also placed the festival from 24 to 26 September, with up to 150 vendors offering arts and crafts.
Wildlife Loop Road linked the roundup to the park's bison story
The viewing areas were on Wildlife Loop Road, with the northern approach leading south from the Game Lodge area and the southern approach near Blue Bell campground. The festival grounds stood across from the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center, linking the public programme with facilities inside the park.
The park's operator describes Custer State Park as a wildlife preserve with hiking, scenic drives, visitor centres and a Bison Center devoted to the herd's history and conservation. The roundup is therefore more than a spectacle: its scheduled testing, branding and sorting formed part of the management work described by the organiser. The park information from South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks identifies the Bison Center and Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center as named facilities.
September programme placed visitors beside an active herd operation
The 25 September roundup was the central event of the weekend, while the arts festival extended the public programme across three days. The organiser listed Western and Native American entertainment under the big top, alongside the vendor area and food service.
The arrangement gave visitors two distinct settings: Wildlife Loop Road for the morning herd drive and the State Game Lodge area for the festival. The South Dakota tourism listing also records the 61st annual roundup on 25 September 2026 and the arts festival from 24 to 26 September.
Visiting Custer State Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The Buffalo Roundup took place on 25 September 2026, and the arts festival ran from 24 to 26 September 2026.
- The roundup viewing areas were on Wildlife Loop Road, with the northern site approached from the Game Lodge area and the southern site near Blue Bell campground.
- The festival grounds were across from the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center, while the roundup itself was viewed from designated areas rather than from the corrals.
- Custer State Park is at 13329 US Highway 16A in Custer, South Dakota. The park lists Custer as its nearest named town and advises that GPS can be unreliable in the area.
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Frequently asked questions about Custer State Park
When did the Buffalo Roundup take place at Custer State Park?
The 2026 Buffalo Roundup took place on 25 September 2026. The associated arts festival ran from 24 to 26 September 2026.
Where is Custer State Park and how do you get there?
The park is in the Black Hills near Custer, South Dakota. Its listed address is 13329 US Highway 16A, and the park advises that GPS can be unreliable in the area.
What is Custer State Park?
It is a South Dakota state park with wildlife areas, scenic drives, visitor centres, hiking and a Bison Center. Its annual Buffalo Roundup combines herd management with a public event.
