Nature Geek Vacation Destinations - Custer State Park, Custer, SD

One of the highlights of our recent vacation in South Dakota was a pair of visits to Custer State Park.  Our first visit to Custer State Park was preceded by a trip to Mt. Rushmore National Monument.  From Mt. Rushmore, the shortest route into Custer State Park is US Route 16A.  Also known as Iron Mountain Road, this route passes through three tunnels and multiple switchbacks and loops that frame views of Mt. Rushmore.  There are also several scenic turnouts and parking areas that allow you to see panoramic views of the Black Hills and the plains to the east of the park.

At the eastern edge of the park Route 16A joins up with South Dakota Highway 36.  SD 36 will lead you east out of the park.  If you continue west on 16A, you will need to purchase a South Dakota State Park entrance permit.  As of July 2017, annual permits cost $30; Custer State Park also offers the option of a 7-day pass for $20.  We chose to purchase the 7-day pass as we did not intend to visit any other South Dakota State Park.  A short drive from the entrance gate is the east end of the park's Wildlife Loop Road.


The Wildlife Loop is the reason we wanted to visit Custer State Park.  The road passes through a series of prairies and woodlands.  Sometimes offering expansive views of grassland and of the Black Hills.

A closer look might reveal grassland plants such as the Prairie Rose (Rosa arkansana).

 

The Wildlife Loop quickly lives up to its name.

Pronghorn Antelope (Antilocapra americana)

Feral donkey

One of thousands of prairie dogs that we saw on our trip

The stars of the show are the park's herd of American Bison (Bison bison).  During the summer months, Custer State Park is home to approximately 1300 of these animals.  Mixed herds of bulls, cows, and calves are frequently seen from the road.

Bison in the road can easily become a hazard.   Both of our park visits were punctuated by "bison jams".  Sometimes these unique traffic jams are caused by drivers slowing down to observe and photograph the bison - causing traffic to back up.  Other times the backups are caused by bison refusing to move from the road - when a 1000+ pound animal wants to stand in the middle of the road, there is isn't much you can do to make it move.

Our second visit to the park took place two days later.  On this trip we entered the Wildlife Loop from the opposite direction.  Once again, our truck was stopped in several places  by "bison jams".  Honestly, the delays didn't bother us at all - we were in the park with hopes to get up-close views of wildlife and we were definitely rewarded.

This bison has a ride-along! Brown-headed Cowbirds earned they name by accompanying bison to pick off insect pests.

Most of these photographs were taken with a telephoto lens so they appear much closer than they really were.  However a few of the bison were seen at extremely close range.  This large bull walked past the window of my truck at a range of less than six feet.  In case you ever wondered what a bison smells like, I'd say it's a lot like a cow only wilder/muskier. 

During this second trip through the park we took a little time to explore off the main roads.  The next four pictures were taken along Oak Draw road which cuts across the southern part of the Wildlife Loop Road.

I also wanted to make sure to take some pictures of the prairie regions of the park.  This was the most striking thing to me about visiting the Dakotas - the ability see for miles with barely a tree in sight.

Even when the bison were nowhere close, we found signs of their passing such as footprints and "buffalo chips".   I was sorely tempted to pack a buffalo chip home, but couldn't come up with a good enough reason.

If you plan to visit western South Dakota, Custer State Park is a must-do for its combination of scenery and wildlife