Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup Tour

Witness the Thrill of the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup

Join us for a day filled with adventure and history as we take you to the heart of Custer State Park for the annual Buffalo Roundup. This event offers an extraordinary opportunity to witness the Old West come to life. Feel the ground tremble as the thundering herd races across the plains, guided by skilled cowboys and cowgirls. It’s an experience you won’t forget.

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About The Tour

This tour is designed for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike. You’ll start the day with a scenic drive through the Black Hills, arriving at the roundup site in time for the main event. After watching the roundup, we’ll explore key spots in Custer State Park, giving you a chance to appreciate the park’s wildlife, landscapes, and stories.

More Tour Details

Watch the cowboys and cowgirls herd in over 1,500 wild buffalo to brand, sort, and vaccinate for the annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup and Auction.

Mount Rushmore Tours offers unique tours available for the roundup on Friday, September 27th, 2024.

All of the park entrance fees are included in our packages. Feel the thunder and join the herd at the Annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup!

$175 Per Person Pricing – Ages 14 and Older

$87.50 Per Person Pricing – Ages 13 and Under

Ages 2-99, max of 160 per group
Duration: 14h
Start time: 6:30 AM
Availability: September 27th, 2024
Tour Guide: English

RESERVE YOUR TOUR HERE

BOOK CUSTER STATE PARK BUFFALO ROUNDUP

What's Included

Round-Trip Transportation: Relax on our comfortable bus as we take you to and from the roundup site, with commentary about the region’s history and culture.
Guided Tour: Learn about the significance of the Buffalo Roundup, the history of bison in South Dakota, and the management practices used to maintain the herd.
Admission to the Roundup Viewing Area: Enjoy excellent views of the action.
Cultural Stops: Visit notable locations within Custer State Park to fully experience the park’s rich natural and cultural history.
Picnic Lunch: Savor a delicious lunch in a picturesque setting after the roundup event.

What to Expect:

This tour is designed for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike. You’ll start the day with a scenic drive through the Black Hills, arriving at the roundup site in time for the main event.

After watching the roundup, we’ll explore key spots in Custer State Park, giving you a chance to appreciate the park’s wildlife, landscapes, and stories.

Departure and Return:

Departure Time: 6:30 AM from Fort Hays.
Return Time: 8:15 PM at Fort Hays.
Meeting Point: Fort Hays, 2255 Fort Hayes Drive, Rapid City, SD.

Accessibility:

Our tours are designed to accommodate all visitors. We can store wheelchairs and scooters under the bus and assist with those who need assistance. Please contact us in advance to discuss any specific accessibility needs or requests.

Booking and Payment:

Easy Online Booking: Reserve your spot online or by phone. Space is limited, so early booking is recommended.
Payment Options: We accept all major credit cards. Full payment is required at time of booking.
Cancellation Policy: Full refund for cancellations made 24 hours in advance.

Additional Information:

What to Bring: Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and a camera. It is recommended to bring water bottle and chair/blanket.
Weather Considerations: Tours operate rain or shine; please dress accordingly.

Policies and Terms:

Cancellation Policy: Customers will receive a full refund or credit with 48 hours notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.
Safety First: We prioritize your safety with well-maintained vehicles and trained guides.
Terms of Service: Review our terms and conditions for more details.

Need Help?

Customer Support: Available 7 days a week for any inquiries or assistance.
Contact Us: Reach out via phone, email, or our contact form for quick responses.

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Tour Itinerary

Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup

6:30 AM - 7:30 AM

Check in at the Fort Hays Dances with Wolves film set located four miles south of Rapid City, SD, on Highway 16W for your tickets.
Fill up on pancakes at the all-you-can-eat cowboy breakfast at our chuckwagon with the complete package.

7:15 AM

Board the coach at the Fort Hays Dances with Wolves film set. Your driver for the day begins the narrated Black Hills tour with stops at Custer State Park. Keep your camera ready and your eyes on the lookout over the hills of Custer State Park as you feel the ground shake and hear the thunder of buffalo coming over the hill tops.
- Buffalo Roundup (and lunch with complete package and lunch package), two to three hours – Our lunch stop is in the corrals of the Buffalo Roundup. After the roundup, we continue through Custer State Park.
- Crazy Horse Mountain & Memorial – We will visit the largest mountain carving in the world. You can visit the memorial and learn much about the sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski in his home studio museum.
- Mount Rushmore – We stop by the famous faces with plenty of time to see all the park has to offer, including the Lincoln Borglum Museum and the sculptors’ studio.

6:00 PM

Return to Fort Hays Dances with Wolves film set.

6:30 PM - Dinner Show

Dinner Show
The supper bell rings loud to call all cowboys and cowgirls to bring their appetites. We serve up the best chuckwagon menu in the West, and it’s sure to make your mouth water. It’s all served on handmade tin plates with drinks poured into tin cups. Be careful — the coffee is hot!
Cowboy Chuckwagon Menu
- Chuckwagon potatoes
- Sliced beef simmered in BBQ sauce
- Baked chicken
- Western baked beans
- Ranch biscuits and honey
- Chunky apple sauce
- Old-fashioned spice cake
- Cowboy coffee
- Tenderfoot lemonade

7:15 PM - 8:15 PM

Showtime!
The Fort Hays Wranglers take the stage to entertain you with the Black Hills’ most popular music variety show! You are guaranteed to have a foot-stompin’, belly shakin’ good time! Family fun for everyone! Bring your camera and take some pictures.

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 831 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Coltin R 
 
 
 
 Verified Excellent Staff & Customer Service Just wanted to take time to recognize excellent management and employee staff. After a small issue with a room, they went above and beyond for my family. The attention to detail and quality service by Dennis - MOD, Steve - FD Supervisor, and Tim - FD is phenomenal. I would highly recommend staying here for your next trip in Rapid City!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   CaringCustomer69 
 
 
 
 Verified Excellent Day I would re-live in a SECOND! Breakfast was excellent, especially when considering it was in a tin pie-pan. Stick to your ribs biscuit and gravy, sausage, cowboy pancakes made by strapping young men and coffee. Time to roam around the little town-front. Chuck loaded us in and maneuvered the HUGE tour-bus like a PRO. He gave a commentary the whole way except on the return leg (which was perfect, we needed some rest). We saw the wooden bridges engineered to be as strong as steel, toured the Black Hills, twisted our way up/down pig-tail bridges, appreciated the design of the roads including the tunnels that highlight Mt. Rushmore, visited the landmark with time to sketch/appreciate/hike, saw wildlife along the way, lunch at the lodge with time to hit a festival (the Buffalo Roundup was the day before), visited Crazy Horse with time to explore it, breeze through Hill City and made our way back in the perfect timing for the music show and chuckwagon dinner theater. >>>Chuck stopped at PERFECT locations for snap shots and played photographer. (Profile view of Washington, tunnel, needles in the background)<<
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Laurie M. 
 
 
 
 Verified Loved it Great time, very knowledgeable driver who was very entertaining as well. Food was great, loved the whole experience. Very efficient outfit. Bus was clean and comfortable.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Florence G 
 
 
 
 Verified A great experience! Joe was a great driver and tour guide with lots of good stories. Sceneries were breathtaking, especially the two memorials exhibited the human spirit. The chuck wagon food was okay, could be better! But it was a good experience of the old days. The show after dinner was very good, the musicians were excellent, especially the lady. It was a memorial experience!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Nomad609532 
 
 
 
 Verified Driver of the bus Bill Martin was exceptional. He made the experience a time to o remember. Thank him and entire The whole thing experience was great. The driver and entire staff made us feel welcome and want to thank all who made it happen
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Charles P 
 
 
 
 Verified Fort Hays, Breakfast, Bus Tour: Mt. Rushmore, Needles Highway (Custer), Crazy Horse, Evening Meal & Musical Performance This experience rates as the "Biggest Bang for the Buck" we experienced on our 14-day trip to South Dakota! We had breakfast, the bus tour, and the Chuckwagon Supper and music performance - a 13-hour day spent with this family owned and operated outfit. Our bus driver (Bill Martin) was exceptionally informative and quite the entertainer. I have absolutely no regrets spending my time and money with this group. The information and entertainment alone were more than we bargained for. The family is hard-working, upright, and ensures that you receive maximum value for your hard-earned money. I recommend this experience without reservation!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   stbtmom 
 
 
 
 Verified #1 Thing To Do! So glad we did this - it was amazing!! Our driver was so much fun and very knowledgeable! I highly recommend!It is not just a bus ride, we were able to get off and walk around at the different places - anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. Plenty of time to look, shop, take pics, etc.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Richard A 
 
 
 
 Verified Fantastic One of the best tours I've been on. Incredible value. Access to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and state park. So professional, friendly, knowledgeable and good natured. There's no way going by car and doing this yourself would be anywhere near as good. It's a no brainer. Book this.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Bob W 
 
 
 
 Verified Wonderful Day in the Black Hills Our tour was tremendous. Dave, our driver, did an excellent job during the visits to Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer NP. He even turned the bus around on time for us to see bison and wild turkeys that were off the road by 25 yards. Breakfast was great and the dinner meal was wonderful. The RockinWranglers finished off the day and they were absolutely amazing. Highly recommend this tour.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Angela J 
 
 
 
 Verified A must do if visiting the black hills of South Dakota The tour we took was amazing!! best way to see the many sights, thought many times to self drive but so glad we took the option of a bus trip 😀. The driver/guide had many stories of the area both professional and personal. The breakfast was really good, and the supper & dinner show was better then when we stayed in Vegas. We saw plenty of wildlife, deer, turkey and a Buffalo open grazing. We even were able to purchase a couple beer's along the way to just sit back and relax. Can't say enough!!

Reserve Your Spot Today

This tour is more than just a day out; it’s a deep dive into the traditions and natural beauty of South Dakota. The Buffalo Roundup is a bucket-list event that showcases the untamed spirit of the American West, making it an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Mount Rushmore Tours Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the Mount Rushmore Sightseeing Tour Package?

Answer: The package includes admission to all listed attractions, two meals at Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper & Show, a variety music show, comfortable bus transportation, and expert-guided tours providing insightful commentary throughout the day.

How long is the tour and what is the schedule?

Answer: The tour is a full-day experience. It starts at Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper & Show and includes stops at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Iron Mountain Road, Custer State Park Resort, South Dakota 87, Sylvan Lake, Crazy Horse Memorial, and ends with a dinner show back at Fort Hays.

Is the tour suitable for children and families?

Answer: Yes, the tour is family-friendly and suitable for children of all ages. The variety of activities and attractions ensures there is something for everyone to enjoy.

What should I bring and how should I dress for the tour?

Answer: We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Bring a camera, sunscreen, and a hat for sun protection. Weather can vary, so it’s a good idea to bring a light jacket or sweater. You may also want to bring a water bottle, a chair/blanket.

What is the cancellation policy for the tour?

Answer: Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Please contact our customer service team if you need to cancel or reschedule your tour.

Where can I find out more information about the Buffalo Round Up?

Answer: Please visit the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks website to learn more about the Annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup https://gfp.sd.gov/buffalo-roundup/