Trip Planner:   USA  /  South Dakota  /  Custer  /  Wildlife Loop Road

Wildlife Loop Road, Custer

4.6
#1 of 14 in Outdoors in Custer
Must see · Scenic Drive · Tourist Spot
You'll find lots of animals along Wildlife Loop Road, a 29 km (18 mi) scenic drive through prairies and pine-studded hills inside the Black Hills' Custer State Park. Watch for free-roaming pronghorn antelope, deer, prairie dogs, donkeys, and 1,300 bison. The meandering road is semicircular, paved, and hilly. Park staff advises you to drive at 40 km/h (25 mph) or slower, as wildlife can appear on the road unexpectedly. Ask for information about the drive at the visitor center, and collect a map of bisons' routes. If you're there in summer, reserve a guided caravan tour of the park. Don't forget the camera for this drive. For Wildlife Loop Road and beyond, use our Custer attractions planner to get the most from your Custer vacation.
Create an itinerary including Wildlife Loop Road
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

Wildlife Loop Road reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
2,647 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • By 286shawnc
    We drove Wildlife Loop Road during our stay at Custer State Park. We really enjoyed seeing the wildlife and scenery.  more »
  • By rochelleforster
    This is part of Custer State Park and well worth it. They have put the buffalo in an enclosed area for the winter but we had good photo ops; we also did see a few that they managed to forget on the.....  more »
See more on TripAdvisor »

Plan your trip to Custer

  • Get a personalized trip
    A complete day by day itinerary
    based on your preferences
  • Customize it
    Refine your trip. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules
  • Book it
    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off
  • Manage it
    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Popular things to do in Custer

Needles Eye Tunnel ©
Geologic Formation
Needles Eye Tunnel
4.9
Duration: 2 hours
Iron Mountain Road ©
Scenic Drive
Iron Mountain Road
4.9
Duration: 2 hours
Sylvan Lake ©
Water Body
Sylvan Lake
4.8
Duration: 1h 30 min
Jewel Cave National Monument ©
Cave
Jewel Cave National Monument
4.2
Duration: 8 hours

Side trips from Custer

Crazy Horse Memorial ©
Monument
Crazy Horse Memorial
Crazy Horse
3.4
Duration: 4 hours
Mount Rushmore National Memorial ©
National Park
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Keystone
4.7
Duration: 1h 30 min
Rushmore Tramway Adventures ©
Theme Park
Rushmore Tramway Adventures
Keystone
4.5
Duration: 8 hours
Presidential Trail ©
Hiking Trail
Presidential Trail
Keystone
4.7
Duration: 2 hours

Nature in Custer

Custer State Park ©
State Park
Custer State Park
4.8
Duration: 30 minutes
Black Hills National Forest ©
Forest
Black Hills National Forest
4.9
Duration: 2 hours
Center Lake ©
Water Body
Center Lake
4.7
Duration: 2 hours
Stockade Lake
Water Body
Stockade Lake
4.2
Duration: 2 hours

Hidden gems in Custer

Cathedral Spires Hiking Trail
Hiking Trail
Cathedral Spires Hiking Trail
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
Legion Lake ©
Water Body
Legion Lake
4.7
Duration: 2 hours
Sunday Gulch Trail
Scenic Walking Area
Sunday Gulch Trail
4.7
Duration: 2h 30 min
Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway
Scenic Drive
Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min

Nearby attractions in Custer

Sylvan Rocks Climbing School and Guide Service ©
Sports Clinic
Sylvan Rocks Climbing School and Guide Service
5.0
Duration: 4 hours
Black Hills Balloons ©
Balloon Ride
Black Hills Balloons
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min
Rockin R Rides ©
Horseback Riding Tour
Rockin R Rides
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
Black Hills Aerial Adventures
Helicopter Tour
Black Hills Aerial Adventures
4.7
Duration: 30 minutes

Kid-friendly things to do in Custer

©
Horseback Riding Tour
Horseback Riding Tours
4.6
Duration: 2 hours

Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Trips to Wildlife Loop Road by other users

14 days in Continental USA BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Milwaukee Chicago Des Moines 8 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Columbus Medora Keystone 9 days in Alexandria & Keystone BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Alexandria Keystone 5 days in Rapid City BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Breezy Point Picnic Area Mount Rushmore National Memorial Reptile Gardens 7 days in South Dakota BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Rapid City Badlands National Park Mitchell 15 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Page Grand Canyon National Park Chinle