Wildlife safari
Season: Spring to autumnBuffalo safari jeep tour in Custer State Park
- Bison herds, pronghorn and burros
- A guide who knows where the animals are
The essentials
| Location | Southern Black Hills, western South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Population | About 2,000 |
| Elevation | About 5,300 feet (1,600 metres) |
| Time zone | Mountain Time |
| Main season | Late May to September |
| Nearest airport | Rapid City (RAP), about 1¼ hours away |
| Emergency number | 911 |
When to visit
The best time to visit Custer is from late May to September, when all the sights, scenic roads and tours are open. Early September is a sweet spot, with warm days and thinner crowds.
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| April to May | Green hills, bison calves and few crowds. Snow is still possible, and some places open only in late May. |
| June to August | Peak season: warm days, cool nights and afternoon thunderstorms. Gold Discovery Days in Custer in July, and the Sturgis Rally in early August. |
| September to October | Golden aspens, crisp days and the Buffalo Roundup at the end of September. Many businesses close in October. |
| November to March | Cold and snowy. The Needles Highway is closed and many motels and restaurants shut, but the hills are peaceful. |
Weather and what to wear
At about 5,300 feet, Custer has warm summer days and cool nights, even in July. Thunderstorms often build in the afternoon, sometimes with hail, so plan hikes for the morning.
- Layers, including a fleece or jacket for evenings
- A rain jacket
- Sturdy shoes for granite trails
- Sun protection: the sun is strong at altitude
- A warm layer for the caves, which stay cool all year
Events
- The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally: ten days in early August, when hundreds of thousands of riders fill the Black Hills. Book early, or avoid those dates.
- Gold Discovery Days: Custer’s summer festival, with a parade and events in town, held in late July.
- The Buffalo Roundup: the last Friday of September, when the Custer State Park herd is driven across the prairie. Read our Buffalo Roundup guide.
Money and costs
Expect to pay for a Custer State Park license, parking at Mount Rushmore, admission to Crazy Horse and tickets for cave tours. The America the Beautiful pass covers some federal fees but not the state park or Crazy Horse. Accommodation is cheapest in May and September.
Wildlife and safety
- Bison: watch them from your car. On foot, keep at least 25 yards away. They can run at 35 miles per hour.
- Rattlesnakes: live in rocky and grassy areas. Watch where you step and stay on trails.
- Driving: animals often stand in the road, and mountain roads are narrow and twisting. Drive slowly, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Lightning: get off exposed peaks and ridges when storms build.
Visiting responsibly
- Never feed wildlife, including the burros.
- Stay on trails to protect fragile prairie and granite.
- Respect that the Black Hills, Paha Sapa, are sacred to the Lakota and other Native nations.
- Shop and eat locally in Custer and the small towns.
