Wildlife Loop Road, Custer: Address, Phone Number, Wildlife Loop Road Reviews: 4.5/5
Wildlife Loop Road
Wildlife Loop Road
4.5
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An 18-mile scenic drive in Custer State Park.
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Top ways to experience Wildlife Loop Road and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
1 within 3 miles
Attractions
10 within 6 miles

Custer State Park Visitor Center
64
1.2 miVisitor Centers

Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center
155
2.3 miVisitor Centers

Custer State Park Wildlife Station Visitor Center
1
0.9 miVisitor Centers

Legion Lake
173
Bodies of Water

Mount Coolidge Fire Lookout Tower
6
2.9 miObservation Decks & Towers

Doane Robinson Tunnel
7
2.9 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Black Hills Playhouse
92
Theaters

Badger Hole Historic Site
3
2.9 miHistoric Sites

Heddy Draw Overlook
2
2.9 miObservation Decks & Towers
Bismarck Lake
1
2.9 miNature & Wildlife Areas
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,731 reviews
Excellent
2,147
Very good
418
Average
127
Poor
29
Terrible
10
Freedom54088925372
Yankton, SD9 contributions
We signed up to take a private jeep tour through the wildlife loop,while we stayed at the State Game Lodge, Although it was pricey, our driver was very friendly and certainly knew the area and could answer any questions we had. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we appreciated that we could tour without a group. We saw the burro's, buffalo, prairie dog colony and so much more, that we probably would not have seen if we hadn't taken the tour. It rained, but quickly the sun came back out, and our driver provided blankets for protection from the rain. We highly recommend taking this tour if you are seeing the Wildlife Loop for the first time,
Written June 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Judy M
1 contribution
I’m giving this an excellent review because, though we saw only 4 bison, I know had we gone a different time of year/day the potential of seeing more is there. We arrived at 9:30 am, July 14, 2022 and it was already 80+ degrees so there wasn’t much to see.
Along with the few bison we saw a handful of donkeys and one female elk in the 18 mile drive.
The bison center is pretty cool and if you can come in September that’s when they do the buffalo roundup.
Along with the few bison we saw a handful of donkeys and one female elk in the 18 mile drive.
The bison center is pretty cool and if you can come in September that’s when they do the buffalo roundup.
Written July 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
papiodad
Papillion, NE176 contributions
Couples
Bucket list item for me , and it was awesome highly recommend it for anyone who loves buffalo. other than waking up that early to get a good spot it was well worth it . check the weather if you go it was cold in the am but was sunny and warm when the sun came out highly recommend it
Written September 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
whosaidthatnotme
Newtown, CT9 contributions
Family
We drove here directly from Jackson Hole, WY after two mediocre days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Each park has different things going for it, but we agreed that the Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park is by far the best. Wow, wow, wow. At the entrance gate we purchased a week long pass for $20, a friendly ranger told us where there were recent sightings of bison and wild burros, and we were off. Within 10 short minutes we were enveloped in a “bison jam” and further down the road we saw the burros on a hillside with people walking out to meet them. We also saw pronghorn antelope, deer, and prairie dogs. Blue skies and rolling hills seemed to go on forever, providing picture postcard views in every direction. The road is scenic, curvy, and fun to drive. The second day we were prepared and brought carrots for the burros, now we were the ones walking out to meet them, they would tolerate brief petting before ambling off to the next hillside. Our last day we did an early morning drive-through and lucked out by seeing over 1,000 bison in 7 herds (5 on the Wildlife Loop and 2 others nearby). It was unforgettable. Loved it and we can’t wait to return to this beautiful place someday.
Written July 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bigtyke
Greeley, CO6,918 contributions
This is my 4th or 5th time driving the Wildlife Loop. Everytime has been good, but this is probably the best. Other trips were in June and Sept. This was in late March.
We entered from the east side. Right near the entrance was a herd of 4-5 Bighorn Sheep lying by the road. We came across several small herds of Pronghorn Antelope. In one herd were several that had big bellies, indicating that they were pregnant.
Most of the buffalo were farther away from the road, but there were several within good viewing and photoing distance. In the meadow where we ususally see the most buffalo and they are on the road, there were just a few. We were the only car there and so we didn't stop, but slowly drove by. No other cars to run interference !
The begging burros were there and when the wife rolled down the window, their ears perked up but then they saw we had no carrots for them.
The highlight was a MOUNTAIN LION. Just ahead of us it came running from the side and ran across the road in front of us and down the valley. Boy, could it run fast. No time to get a photo, Darn!
While it is frequently mentioned in the SO\outh Dakota forum here on TA that the spring is not the best time to come to the Black HIlls, I cannot agree. There were very few cars and lots more wildlife. What I would recommend is that you make last minute plans to insure decent weather.
We entered from the east side. Right near the entrance was a herd of 4-5 Bighorn Sheep lying by the road. We came across several small herds of Pronghorn Antelope. In one herd were several that had big bellies, indicating that they were pregnant.
Most of the buffalo were farther away from the road, but there were several within good viewing and photoing distance. In the meadow where we ususally see the most buffalo and they are on the road, there were just a few. We were the only car there and so we didn't stop, but slowly drove by. No other cars to run interference !
The begging burros were there and when the wife rolled down the window, their ears perked up but then they saw we had no carrots for them.
The highlight was a MOUNTAIN LION. Just ahead of us it came running from the side and ran across the road in front of us and down the valley. Boy, could it run fast. No time to get a photo, Darn!
While it is frequently mentioned in the SO\outh Dakota forum here on TA that the spring is not the best time to come to the Black HIlls, I cannot agree. There were very few cars and lots more wildlife. What I would recommend is that you make last minute plans to insure decent weather.
Written March 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TAP647
Chicago, IL389 contributions
Family
On our first visit just prior to sunset, we saw very few animals - deer, burros, and a handful of bison. We were disappointed. We returned the next day closer to sunset and we treated to hundreds of bison at the Blue Belle entrance - it was amazing! We loved seeing these animals so close. While we did not see many other animals, we enjoyed the scenery of the loop. A special place.
Written June 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
sakflva
Arlington, VA668 contributions
Family
Great loop. We went twice. Both times saw Buffalo herds in the distance. The babies were so cute. We saw the burros as well. People brought food for them which clearly shouldn’t happen. They tried to feed the babies and it was clear they we still nursing but you know people they persist.
Written July 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
David S
5 contributions
September 9 we took a drive on the wildlife loop from 5:20 PM until 7:30 PM.
My husband and I saw a wolverine towards the end of our drive. It was sniffing around the meadow grasses on the way into the pine woods about 10 feet away. But before it disappeared among the low branches, it had turned several times to look toward our stopped car.
At first I thought it was a small bear, but its body was longer, it had a dark long fluffy tail, and shorter legs. Its face and ears were bear like, as it turned its head towards us. It studied us at length one of the times it glared towards our car from about 100 yards away. We didn't get a picture of it sadly.
I didn't know what it was until I saw a stuffed one at Cabellas shopping two days later. Upon seeing the displayed taxidermy wolverine I exclaimed to my assisting Cabellas staff, "that's the animal we saw 2 days ago driving in Custer Wildlife
Loop!" It was labeled a wolverine.
We felt fortunate to have seen one in the wild, thanks to the safe wildlife drive.
My husband and I saw a wolverine towards the end of our drive. It was sniffing around the meadow grasses on the way into the pine woods about 10 feet away. But before it disappeared among the low branches, it had turned several times to look toward our stopped car.
At first I thought it was a small bear, but its body was longer, it had a dark long fluffy tail, and shorter legs. Its face and ears were bear like, as it turned its head towards us. It studied us at length one of the times it glared towards our car from about 100 yards away. We didn't get a picture of it sadly.
I didn't know what it was until I saw a stuffed one at Cabellas shopping two days later. Upon seeing the displayed taxidermy wolverine I exclaimed to my assisting Cabellas staff, "that's the animal we saw 2 days ago driving in Custer Wildlife
Loop!" It was labeled a wolverine.
We felt fortunate to have seen one in the wild, thanks to the safe wildlife drive.
Written September 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stephanie B
30 contributions
We are so glad we went on this. Our family really likes to look at the wildlife so we took our time as we drove through. We pulled over and let quite a few vehicles pass us. If you plan on just quickly driving through, you may not see anything. We saw prairie dogs, whitetail deer, pronghorns, burros, and Buffalo.
For the burros, we brought carrots along. I would recommend the full size carrots as the.burros grabbed those right away over the little baby carrots.
For the burros, we brought carrots along. I would recommend the full size carrots as the.burros grabbed those right away over the little baby carrots.
Written July 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sandy P
California Desert, CA20 contributions
First, I read some reviews and agree about the animals not being seen, but that is probably because they did what we did. There is a huge area where there are little buffalo and then there is another huge area where there are tons of buffalo. One thing I wish South Dakota would consider is putting up just a few signs telling people which way to go! We were so upset that we could not find our way until we bumped into someone who told us which way to go. AND, the area where the buffalo were was a lot less scary! No huge drop offs and tight, twisty, narrow roads! That would have helped to know! Regardless, drivers in South Dakota are the most awesome anywhere and we got lots of buffalojams as one person put it so we didn't miss seeing these exciting creatures! We will treasure our visit. Too bad the herds have to be thinned out unnaturally and sadly.
Written July 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kjshell
Austin, TX12 contributions
We are planning to arrive the Sunday after the Buffalo Roundup. Will we still see any wildlife on the loop road?
Roxanne M
Mountain View, AR227 contributions
From what we read, they only take 1/3 of the herd yearly. So that still leaves roughly 1,000 buffalo. I can't say how the round up effects the wildlife as a whole, but the animals do seem very comfortable with the cars. For the most part, the animals pay no attention to the humans. Good luck!
I plan yo vist in end of Jan. Or earlier of feb. I know it is not a good season. Is it possible to meet animal? Worth to go? Much appreciate for your comment.
Castle10985
Georgetown, KY1 contribution
How much is it to drive around the loop?
Deb M
112 contributions
The fees change seasonally, but cover up to a week. They didn’t differentiate based on activities. So we paid a $20 entrance fee for our car; you’ll pay that same fee regardless of weather you just drive the loop or camp for a week.
We will be traveling to Custer State Park from about 6 hours away. We plan to leave early so we'll have some time to explore in custer. We'll be staying at the stockade south campground. On the day of travel I hope to hit cathedral Spires and sylvan lake for some hiking. I was thinking about hitting the "begging burrow" and it sounds like they are at the south eastern tip of the Wildlife Loop road. The only problem is I can't find a map of wild life loop road. I don't want to drive a crazy distance out of the way from cathedral spires/sylvan lake/stockade south campground to do this, as we would have already been in the car 6-7 hours driving from our destination. Please advise.
Anita D
Minneapolis, Minnesota, Usa187 contributions
Sounds like a lot for one day, especially if you need six hours to get there. Once you are in the Black Hills, you can pick up a map of The area. But I think that only the Custer State Park map shows the wild life route. It is my favorite drive, well worth the time.
Richard G
Mullica Hill, NJ
How much time to allow for leisurely drive of wildlife loop?
Burger Hat Summers
Metro Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN228 contributions
I would budget at least an hour and a half for it.
DLouise
Northampton, PA126 contributions
We will be driving from Hot Springs. We would like to visit Mount Rushmore. drive Iron Mnt road, needles highway & wildlife loop. We have a hotel booked in Hill City. What would be the best route to drive from Hot Springs and what should be visit first. It was suggested driving 16A , south to north, to see Mount Rushmore through tunnels.
Fun4Me2Travel
Nebraska1,084 contributions
Definitely drive Iron Mountain Road starting from the south and driving north. As you go through the tunnels they frame Mt. Rushmore in a beautiful way. Keep your eyes open the whole time. Many times to view Rushmore from quite a distance away. Coming from Hot Springs I would take the Wildlife loop, then jog over to Iron Mountain Road. If you have time take the Needles Hwy after that. Our family enjoyed Iron Mountain the best, then Wildlife loop, with Needles being last. All roads are slow traveling, so plan for these 3 drives to take up much of your day. Hope this helps!!!
gaylaw
Cincinnati, OH5 contributions
What is the best time to see lots if animals? Is 7am too early?
The Journey
7 contributions
If you want to see a good variety of wildlife, then mid afternoon to dusk.
You will see Buffalo, and at dusk, drive carefully as the Deer and Antelope will be on the road or next to it, munching on the grass.
Stay safe and stay in your car when by the animals , especially the Buffalo. The Buffalo are big and can run faster than you can.
So stay Safe and enjoy the sites.
aroyal83
Wichita, KS23 contributions
Can we bike or walk along the loop?
hsnhess
Cincinnati, OH15 contributions
I would say “no” also and agree being inside the car is the safest and most enjoyable way. We had to help a rider on horseback who got separated from her group. She stayed next to our car until she was safely away from the bison.
MamaP73
Aurora, IL181 contributions
Heading down on 4th of July. Planning a one day visit to Mt. Rushmore, drive Iron Mountain Road and Wildlife Loop Road - question - do I start at Mt. Rushmore and end in Custer Park, or start at the Wildlife Loop Road and work our way back to Mt. Rushmore? We will be staying in Hisega.
Sue J
Boise, ID416 contributions
Hisega is quite a drive to the park area. If possible I would stay at Hill City or Custer to get an earlier start since you are fitting a lot into one day.
Google the map of Custer state park to plan your day.
I would suggest starting at Crazy Horse (I was more impressed with it than Mt Rushmore, and the visitors center is AMAZING. also take the $4, 1/2 hour bus ride into the base for a closer view and some great pics), drop down to hwy 16A to do the Wildlife loop and Iron Mtn roads $20 park fee. Then make Rushmore your last stop for the light show which I missed but have heard is great. Park free but parking is $10- Sr $5.
On the loop road, stop at the Wildlife Station Visitors center for good info and nice bathrooms!
We just spent 5 days there and much of it was closed due to weather in early May. But you will be seeing many of the highlights.
Have Fun!!
Frequently Asked Questions about Wildlife Loop Road
- We recommend booking Wildlife Loop Road tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 8 Wildlife Loop Road tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Wildlife Loop Road:
- Premiere Private Black Hills Tour: Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse & Custer State Park (From $370.00)
- Private Tour of Mt Rushmore, Custer State Park Wildlife Loop & Crazy Horse (From $299.00)
- Jeep Bison Safari + (Sylvan Lake-Needles-Iron Mtn) Public (From $249.00)
- Private - Jeep Bison Safari (Needles-Iron Mtn-Sylvan Lake) (From $449.99)
- "Woody" Van Bison Safari + 1 Hour Mt Rushmore (Public) (From $299.00)
- Hotels near Wildlife Loop Road:
- (9.18 mi) Under Canvas Mount Rushmore
- (1.66 mi) State Game Lodge
- (9.53 mi) Calamity Peak Lodge
- (9.27 mi) Custer State Park Campgrounds
- (7.47 mi) Buffalo Rock Lodge & Cabins
- Restaurants near Wildlife Loop Road:
- (1.66 mi) State Game Lodge Dining Room
- (9.51 mi) Lintz Brothers Pizza
- (6.57 mi) Blue Bell Lodge - Tatanka Dining
- (5.32 mi) Legion Lake Resort - Dockside Grill
- (9.13 mi) cavalry coffee