2026 - Sept 25th - Custer Buffalo Roundup and Corrals
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 2026 - Sept 25th - Custer Buffalo Roundup and Corrals worth booking?
2026 - Sept 25th - Custer Buffalo Roundup and Corrals is a 7-hour experience in Rapid City, United States, from $249 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (3)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $249 per person
Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup . . . September 26 Only! 6:15am - Pick up at Rapid City meeting locations 7:30am - Arrive at the South Parking Area 7:45am - We provide bag chair. Guide will explain how the morning
What you get
About this experience
Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup . . . September 26 Only! 6:15am - Pick up at Rapid City meeting locations 7:30am - Arrive at the South Parking Area 7:45am - We provide bag chair. Guide will explain how the morning event will proceed 8:00am - Hot beverages (coffee, tea, cocoa), bottled water, fruit and light breakfast pastries are provided 9:30am - 10:30am Buffalo Roundup 11:45pm - Picnic Lunch at Stockade Lake (included) 12:15pm - Tour Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake and Iron Mtn Road 2:00pm - Return to Rapid City "Custer State Park welcomed 24,178 visitors at the 59th annual Buffalo Roundup, surpassing the previous record of 22,690 set in 2023. Game, Fish and Parks officials said riders and park staff rounded up 1,485 animals, including the 488 calves born this year in the park. Staff say the animals condition is excellent overall."
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- We provide a folding/bag chair.
- Tea and coffee
- Snacks
- Brunch
Not included
- Gratuities are Not Included
What you'll see and do
Custer State Park
OPTION #1 ROUNDUP AND OPTION #2 ROUNDUP+TOUR We depart Rapid City and arrive at the South Parking Lot of the Park. Guests will have time for continental breakfast and enjoy the surroundings prior to the Buffalo Roundup. 1,400 Buffalo for the Roundup. Once the Bison have been herded into the corrals, the guests may travel to watch the branding, inoculations and sorting of the herd. We return to Rapid City at 2:00pm.
360 minutes here · Admission included
Stockade Lake
OPTION #2 ROUNDUP+TOUR ONLY After the Roundup ends we travel in our convertible top vehicles and tour Custer Park. Stopping for a picnic lunch at Stockade Lake.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Needles Eye
OPTION #2 ROUNDUP+TOUR ONLY We tour along Needles Highway including Needles Eye tunnel and Cathedral Spires.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Sylvan Lake
OPTION #2 ROUNDUP+TOUR ONLY Short stop for photos and restroom break at this beautiful alpine lake.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway
OPTION #2 ROUNDUP+TOUR ONLY Short stop for photos. Iron Mtn Road include the Pigtail Bridges and One Way Tunnels looking at Mt Rushmore.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Rapid City
Meeting point
Rapid City
Meeting point
Rapid City
Meeting point
Rapid City
Meeting point
Rapid City
Meeting point
Rapid City
Rapid City Hotels Contact us for more information if special needs
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
Rapid City Hotels Contact us for more information if special needs
Options you can book
OPTION #1 Standard Roundup
Standard
OPTION 2 - Roundup-Tour-Picnic
Roundup+Tour: Includes the Buffalo Roundup. Then a convertible top tour of Custer Park with a picnic at Stockade Lake included.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Fri
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Black Hills Open-Top-Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Pace and timing
1 mentionSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for 2026 - Sept 25th - Custer Buffalo Roundup and Corrals. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Arduous getting there but worth the wait
Seeing buffalo is an experience in and of itself. We arrived at Custer State Park at 5:30am with miles of cars still ahead of us. Evenetually we got into the park around 7:30am and found good spots on the hillside (south viewing area) to wait for the herd. Around 10:30am the buffalo came running around the corner (which was cool to see). After that it lasted for maybe 30-45 minutes and that was that. The site was great and it was worth one time see.
Response from the operator: Hello rgmtex - I'm happy you enjoyed the roundup. I sorry you had to wait to get into the park. Next time - you might join one of our Roundup tours. We offer several options. And our tours have NO waiting time to get in. We drive straight to the South Parking Lot. Be Well - Rich
via Tripadvisor
Because it’s totally worth it!!!
Get up at 4:30, leave Rapid City by 0500 and get into traffic on Wildlife Loop Road by 0600. Why?? Because it’s totally worth it. They move traffic into the north parking area remarkably quickly. Great views from the hillside, or down by the fence, lots of people, but lots and lots of space. Breakfast for $10.00 was great!!! It’s one of those events that you should do, just because…. I don’t think you’ll ever see 1,000 head of Buffalo going by you anyplace else. Only issue was finding a midsized white SUV in the parking lot. I left with the one I came in with, but I wasn’t sure for a while I’d find it….
Response from the operator: Hi Bill - I don't think this review is meant for Open-Top-Tours. Our tours are not as 'difficult' as what yours was. We leave at 6am and NO waiting in line . . . we drive right to the southern parking lot. Our tour also includes a continental breakfast with hot beverages. But, I'm happy you enjoyed the Buffalo Roundup it is a hoot! Be Well - Rich
via Tripadvisor
Well Worth A Visit
Leaving the hotel at 4.30am, sitting in a line of parked cars for an hour waitng for the parking area to open, sitting on a hillside for four hours waiting for the drive to begin were all to be expected. All of the above were worth it as the heard appearing in the distance gave one the chills and took us back to when these magnicent roamed freely. While you may not consider a second visit a first visit is a must.
Response from the operator: Hi Paul - I concur and appreciate your review of the Buffalo Roundup. You are right about it being a thrill the first time you see the herd appear and come running at you. Custer State Park is the only place that has this old west event. "Leaving the hotel at 4.30am, sitting in a line of parked cars for an hour waiting for the parking area to open, sitting on a hillside for four hours waiting for the drive to begin" I see that you probably visited Custer Park on your own and not with BHOTT. Just to clarify . . . Open-Top-Tours offers a different adventure at the Roundup. We pickup in Rapid City hotels at 6:15am. Drive 45 minutes straight to the South Parking Lot (no waiting). Provide everyone a folding bag chair, snacks and a warm beverage prior to the start. After the Roundup we visit other parts of Custer Park and have a lakeside picnic lunch. Making sure you get a convertible-top tour of Sylvan Lake, the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road before returning you to Rapid City. I'm glad you enjoyed the Roundup and took time to let others know. Be Well - Rich
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Fri
- Price range
- $249 to $369
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
2026 - Sept 25th - Custer Buffalo Roundup and Corrals: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rapid City.
How much does 2026 - Sept 25th - Custer Buffalo Roundup and Corrals cost?
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Prices start at $249 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Rapid City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 2026 - Sept 25th - Custer Buffalo Roundup and Corrals take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Rapid City is not rushed.
Is 2026 - Sept 25th - Custer Buffalo Roundup and Corrals worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Rapid City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 2026 - Sept 25th - Custer Buffalo Roundup and Corrals?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 2026 - Sept 25th - Custer Buffalo Roundup and Corrals suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 2026 - Sept 25th - Custer Buffalo Roundup and Corrals?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Rapid City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Rapid City and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 2026 - Sept 25th - Custer Buffalo Roundup and Corrals start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Rapid City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Rapid City?
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Rapid City is the base for Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse tours, Badlands National Park loops, Custer State Park wildlife drives and Black Hills cave visits. On Outty we rank every Rapid City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Mount Rushmore and Black Hills Tour with Two Meals and a Music Variety Show, Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills, PREMIER PRIVATE Tour: Mt Rushmore, CrazyHorse & Custer State Park. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Rapid City?
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May to September, with Sturgis crowding early August. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Rapid City?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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