PIERRE, S.D. (Press Release) – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) will host the 55th annual Buffalo Roundup and 27th annual Arts Festival in Custer State Park later this month. The Buffalo Roundup begins at 9:30 a.m. MDT on Friday, Sept. 25. The Arts Festival will run from Thursday, Sept. 24, through Saturday, Sept. 26.

“The Buffalo Roundup embodies the spirit of South Dakota and gives us an opportunity to show off Custer State Park to the world,” said Governor Noem. “This event also helps us emphasize the importance of conservation, ensuring that we’ll have bison thundering through the park for generations to come.”

The parking areas for the Roundup, located near the corrals along the Wildlife Loop Road, open at 6:15 a.m. MDT and close at 9:30 a.m. MDT on Sept. 25. For safety reasons, spectators need to remain in the viewing areas until all the buffalo are corralled which typically occurs around noon.

The annual Arts Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. MDT on Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26. The Arts Festival takes place near the State Game Lodge and features western and bluegrass entertainment along with numerous vendors.

“While the Buffalo Roundup serves as a critical management tool for Custer State Park, it is an event unlike any other in the world,” said Scott Simpson, director of the Division of Parks and Recreation. “The West comes alive on Roundup morning and leaves guests with memories that last a lifetime.”

A state park entrance license is required on Thursday and Saturday, but there is no cost to attend the Buffalo Roundup or Arts Festival on Friday. Share the experience by using #SDintheField and #BuffaloRoundup when posting images to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Next year’s Buffalo Roundup will be held Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. To learn more about the event, visit custerstatepark.com, call 605.255.4515, or email CusterStatePark@state.sd.us.