Custer State Park is one of the few places in the world where you are able to see an abundance of wildlife in their natural habitat.  Visitors may encounter a variety of wildlife throughout the park’s 71,000 acres, including along trails, in the campgrounds and beside the road.  Wildlife Loop Road is particularly known for its common sightings of buffalo, pronghorn and prairie dogs, but keep an eye out for a white-tailed and mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep and a host of birds and smaller wildlife as well.  For the best results, travel the loop during the early morning or later in the evening, when wildlife are most active.

Bison – In 1916, America’s wild bison, which once numbered 60 million, had dwindled to 23 animals.  Today, Custer State Park’s bison herd number around 1,400.  Bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds.  While they may seem docile, they are unpredictable and have injured visitors who approach them.

Burros – The burros in Custer State Park are not native to the Black Hills.  They are descendants from the herd that once hauled visitors to the top of Black Elk Peak.  The rides were discontinued years ago and the burros were released into the park.

Elk – Elk are the second largest member of the deer family with only moose larger.  Mature bulls grow and shed heavy, wide antlers each year.  They are shy and seldom seen during the daytime hours.  They are best found in early morning or evening hours.

Mountain Lions – Chiefly nocturnal and reclusive toward humans, mountain lions are found within the black Hills and Custer State Park.  These predators feed on several species, including deer, elk, rabbits and wild turkeys.

Birds – The park’s diverse habitat makes for exciting bird watching.  Visitors can find the mountain bluebird, white-winged junco, golden eagle, prairie falcon and western tanager, to name but a few

Coyotes – Coyotes hunt in all habitats of Custer State Park.  Their diet is varied, but consists mainly of small mammals.

Bighorn Sheep – A herd of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep was reintroduced to Custer State Park in 1922.  Rams have thick, curled horns and ewes have smaller curved horns.

Mountain Goats – The mountain goat was not found in South Dakota until 1923, when it was introduced to the Black Hills.  Today, they are found in the granite outcroppings and crags around Black Elk Peak, Needles and Mount Rushmore areas.  The all-white mammal feeds on grasses, ferns, moss and lichen among other high-elevation plants.  Both sexes have sharp, slender, black horns.

Prairie Dogs – The black-tailed prairie dog is found on the dry, upland prairie.  It is a rodent that lives in large social groups called towns.  Prairie dogs get their name from their bark-like call.

Pronghorns – Pronghorns, commonly referred to as antelope due to their similar appearance, live on the open grassland.  The name pronghorn comes from the buck’s large pronged horns.  The horn sheaths are shed each year.  The fastest land animal in Norther America, pronghorns can run 60mph for great distances.

White-Tailed Deer – White-tailed deer live mainly in the timberlands.  As its name implies, the white-tailed deer has white hair on the underside of its tail.  When the animal runs, the tail is flipped up and looks like a waving white flag.

Mule Deer – These deer are aptly named for their large ears.  Their black-tipped tails, which are short and narrow, are carried down when the deer runs.  Mule deer often bound with a stiff-legged gait as if bouncing on powerful springs when they flee.


*When viewing wildlife, please remain in your vehicle or stay at least 100 yards from bison, elk and other animals.  Regardless of distance, if any wild animal changes its behavior due to your presence, you are too close.  Please back away.

Also, please don’t feed the animals!  Feeding the park’s wildlife is prohibited.  In fact, feeding any wild animal can be dangerous to both you and the animal.


Information from the 2021 Custer State Park magazine, Tatanka