Buffalo Round-up at Custer State Park

[RVman3252]

We will be watching the Buffalo Round-up which is 1 of my "bucket list" trips... Anyone have any advice? We will be camping at Rafter-J.

Thanks, RVman / John

[RVman3252]

Wow Thanks everyone for the information! 5:00 am, hugh... WeeDoggie, I am guess will have to leave Rafter J around 4? It sounds like everyone had good experiences, so I am even more looking forward to this trip! Thanks again!

RVman / John

[Kavoom]

We have been going to the Black Hills for over a decade and even bought land for retirement out of Custer.

We went in 2011 and on October 3rd, after the formal roundup we just stumbled upon part of it and there were only about 10 people watching. We had the place to ourselves. It was awesome. My one and only youtube video is of this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuLeON3KwDk

Action starts at about 5:40 into it and the real fun is at about 8:30 into it.

[Rug]

Yes the north side is a lot better than the south side.

Get in line early 5a.m. Stay in the right lane you will get closer in this lane. This is the way to the parking area closer to the fence.
Take your chairs and get next to the fence.
They will have coffee and somethings to eat.

Enjoy.

[craig7h]

We were there three years ago. Had a great time, however 9a.m. is to late. The line to get in starts around 4a.m., we got in line at 5a.m. I do not remember when the gates open up but the folks running it have it down to a science. There is alot of waiting involved so be ready for a long morning. Its well worth it have a good time

[TexasShadow]

Try to arrive at the viewing area by 9 a.m. The pancakes and coffee are good. It's about a 30 minute drive from Game Lodge campground down to it.
If you have lawn chairs and can get down close to the fence, do so and hold your place 🙂 If you are tall, you can stand back and look over the heads of several hundred people. We took a small kitchen step ladder that enabled us to get high enough to see over the heads.
We have only used the north side but it looks like you can see well from the south side, too.
The arts and crafts event...before the buffalo run... is really good. lots of first class crafts and art and the bison burgers are good and they do a raffle drawing every hour, but you gotta be there.
All the gift chops in the state park have good sales going.
The restaurant in the Game Lodge is a bit pricey but good.
The film at the visitor center is pretty good.
The Peter Norbeck scenic roadway is really good.

[Wiscampsin]

Good choice with Rafter J.

[maddog348]

Love 'Rafter-J'

StayWell ~~ TraveSafe ~~ HaveFun