This 71,000-acre State Park Is Home to Incredibly Scenic Drives and One of the Largest Bison Herds in the U.S.

"While Yellowstone might be what comes to mind when you think of bison, Custer State Park has a leg up on the famed Wyoming-Montana destination: Stretching across 71,000 acres, South Dakota's first and largest state park is home to one of the biggest publicly owned bison herds in the world. And every September, the bison, more than 1,300 of them, are herded by a group of experienced cowboys and cowgirls down to corrals, past a cheering group of onlookers."

"Custer State Park is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota; the closest town to the park is Custer. Those flying into the area can look at flights to and from Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP). It's about 37 miles from the park and served by American, Delta, Allegiant, United, and Sun Country. From there, turn the final leg of the journey into a road trip by renting a car and seeing other top sites in the area, including the Crazy Horse Memorial,"

Custer State Park occupies 71,000 acres in the Black Hills of South Dakota and is the state's first and largest state park. The park supports one of the largest publicly owned bison herds, with more than 1,300 animals. Every September the herd is driven by experienced cowboys and cowgirls into corrals during the Buffalo Roundup, an event that drew 22,275 attendees in 2025. The park offers hikes, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, history, food, and other recreational activities. Rapid City Regional Airport is about 37 miles away and is served by multiple carriers; nearby attractions include Crazy Horse, Wind Cave, and Mount Rushmore. The America the Beautiful pass does not apply.

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