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Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup is more than just bison watching

Chad Coppess/SD Tourism

The Annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup is Friday, Sept. 27.

Organizers say the roundup is more than just a cool experience to view, it’s also critical for herd management.

The buffalo are tested, branded, and sorted to either remain in the park or be auctioned off to another herd, according to Custer State Park officials.

To view the Buffalo Roundup you’ll want to arrive early. Parking lots open at 6:15 a.m. Mountain Time, with the roundup starting around 9:30 a.m. The animals are typically all corralled by noon.

There are four different ways to watch it: SDPB TV 2, on SDPB's website, and SDPB's Facebook or YouTube pages.  

Along with the physical roundup of bison, the Arts Festival runs from Sept. 26-28. Local art vendors, hot air balloons, music, and a scavenger hunt are part of the festivities.

Ryan is the local host of "Morning Edition". Originally from Iowa, he first came to the Black Hills to study at SD Mines. After graduating in 2019, he was an educator in Arizona and North Dakota before returning to the Black Hills.