Driving The Wildlife Loop At Custer State Park In South Dakota

Stephen, Truffles and I drove through Custer State Park while staying in Rapid City, but I knew that I needed to go back without them.

While they’re very supportive of my love the animals, it can be challenging trying to get great snaps with my camera when they’re both ready to move on. So, a day just by myself with my camera and the wildlife was in order – and the Wildlife Loop did not disappoint. I found the whole bison herd and all the babies!

Here’s my day along the Wildlife Loop of Custer State Park.

Dawn and dusk are often the best times for wildlife, so I arrived around 6:30am as that’s when animals are more likely to be up and moving around to start their day. I saw a few males and a herd of deer up and moving around, but that was it. I was still towards the beginning of the 17 mile Wildlife Loop so I wasn’t too concerned, so I drove on.

As I came over a hill I started to see bison. Moms, babies (known as “red dogs” because of their reddish color), adolescents and some males. Many of the babies were nursing and it was just so sweet to sit and listen to them in the silence of the morning.

Remember that the animals have the right of way within the park, so if they’re in the road you’re supposed to wait for them to move on when they’re ready.

Off to the side of the road some of the babies were having a little frolic in in the grass.

I turned right at Fisherman Flats Road. Until now, the roads had been paved but this was a gravel road. Our 2004 Toyota Corolla did fine though, so unless it’s been really rainy you don’t need a 4×4 vehicle for this road. The majority of the bison herds were along this road on the day I visited, so don’t be afraid to deviate off the paved roads.

Please note that almost all of these photos were taken with my zoom lens, or cropped closer. Those that were physically close to the road or my car were photographed safely from inside my car. If I got out the bison were 75 feet or more away and I kept my car door open so I could hop in if needed. You always respect the wildlife and watch behind you – not just in front of you – when photographing large, unpredictable wildlife like bison.

After I’d seen most of the herd I turned back and continued along the paved Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park.

Along here I found the prairie dog towns. I parked quietly and watched, hoping they might come within range of my 200-70mm lens. Sadly, most kept their distance but there were one or two who were more intrepid.

I made it to the end of the loop. I could either turn around or take a different paved road that would eventually take me to the far end of Fisherman Flats Road. Based on the time of day (closer to 11am now) and the general movement of the herd I decided to do that – come out at the other end – with the hopes of seeing the herd on the move or resting along the hills.

The drive was a little rougher but still fine in our car – but definitely check the state of those roads (I took the roads near Blue Bell Campground) before embarking on them without 4×4 drive. I could’ve just continued the paved loop and might’ve seen some of the donkeys I’d been told about, but I was really there for the bison so I made the call to head around across to them on the gravel roads.

It was the right choice. I arrived at the top of a hill perfectly timed for the entire herd (hundreds of bison!) coming up over the ridge and past my car. I pulled off, took out my lunch and watched as they passed right in front of my car. I had my camera for any “can’t miss” shots but for the most part I just sat and enjoyed the moment.

I’d been at the park around 6 hours and decided to head back to our hotel in Rapid City, SD. But it was worth getting up early, taking my time (sans hubs and Truffs) and enjoying the peace that the Wildlife Loop at Custer State Park had to offer.

Here’s a few artistic black and white images for you to enjoy.