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Wildlife Loop Road, Custer

4.7
#1 of 16 in Outdoors in Custer
Scenic Drive · Tourist Spot
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You'll find lots of animals along Wildlife Loop Road, a 29 km (18 mi) scenic drive through prairies and pine-studded hills inside the Black Hills' Custer State Park. Watch for free-roaming pronghorn antelope, deer, prairie dogs, donkeys, and 1,300 bison. The meandering road is semicircular, paved, and hilly. Park staff advises you to drive at 40 km/h (25 mph) or slower, as wildlife can appear on the road unexpectedly. Ask for information about the drive at the visitor center, and collect a map of bisons' routes. If you're there in summer, reserve a guided caravan tour of the park. Don't forget the camera for this drive. For Wildlife Loop Road and beyond, use our Custer attractions planner to get the most from your Custer vacation.
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Wildlife Loop Road reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
2,745 reviews
Google
4.7
TripAdvisor
  • well maintained dirt road network through the park without the crowds. Goes through both lush forest and the burn area. Lots of prairire dogs and bison 
    well maintained dirt road network through the park without the crowds. Goes through both lush forest and the burn area. Lots of prairire dogs and bison  more »
  • If you are here - you must see and go on this road. It goes through the park, winding it way past the beauty of this area. We saw buffalo, ground squirrels and other wildlife in this beautiful... 
    If you are here - you must see and go on this road. It goes through the park, winding it way past the beauty of this area. We saw buffalo, ground squirrels and other wildlife in this beautiful...  more »
Google
  • 100% worth the time. We did it twice while we were there. We saw elk, buffalo, pronghorn, prairie dogs, a bager!, deer, birds, rabbits, burros, and very few people. Super cool. Drive slow and just keep looking. Do not feed the animals! When the buffalo corral opens be sure and stop there. Looks super cool.
  • This loop is impossibly hard to find from general directions outside Custer State Park. On top of that, once you get close to Custer State Park, the directions that Google map provides takes you on turns that are not even marked. Then leave you wondering if you're actually going to get there. However, Google maps will get you there and once you are there the drive is unimaginably beautiful. The visitor center is very helpful and will provide a more accurate map. The number of Buffalo in the park is impressive as well as the prairie dogs, which are so darling. The park and surrounding areas provide limitless access to hiking, seasonal camping, picnicking, and of course wildlife viewing.

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