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The time of buffalo round-ups for 2022 has now finished, and it's time to start planning for the 2023 round-ups. There are multiple buffalo roundups held in different states. Two of the round-ups are held in Utah and South Dakota. According to Visit Utah, Custer State Park in South Dakota and Antelope Island State Park are about the only places where people can actually experience a public bison roundup firsthand.
Roundups aside, arguably, the best place to see bison in the United States is in Yellowstone National Park. Watching buffalo roundups is one of the best ways of feeling like being transported back into the days of the Old West. For another place to relive the Old West, consider visiting Canada's Calgary and its largest outdoor rodeo.
What Is The Purpose Of The Buffalo Roundup?
"The Buffalo Roundup is both important to spectators and help keeps the herd healthy and active."
The Buffalo roundup is part of managing the American bison. It is a critical management tool so that a strong and healthy herd of bison can be maintained.
Visitors get to see the bison being tested, branded, and sorted. The roundup keeps the population in balance with the available land and resources. Most of the herd is returned back into the state park.
They bring all the bison except for the mature bulls (they are hard to herd and don't need to be vaccinated again). Once the bison are corralled, their health is checked, and some are auctioned off to the public.
While Yellowstone National Park is home to the nation's most famous bison herds, there is no buffalo roundup to be seen there.
Plan For The 58th Annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup
South Dakota's Custer State Park is home to an annual buffalo roundup where visitors can feel the hooves and thunder of around 1,400 buffalos. Watch as cowboys, cowgirls, and park rangers group and drive the herd. Spectators get to see the entire Custer State herd of American bison pass only within a few hundred feet of their seats. It is one of the largest herds in the world.
- Bison Herd: Around 1,400
The roundup is part of the three-day Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup & Arts Festival, where more than 100 vendors come to offer their fine arts and crafts.
- Admission Fee: None (Free)
- Date: September 28-30, 2023
Guests have to stay in the viewing areas until the herd of buffalo is safely in the corrals (the roundup lasts from around 9.30 am to noon). They are tested, branded, and sorted between 1 pm and 3 pm.
Hours Of The Festival:
- Thursday: 10 am - 6 pm
- Friday: 10 am - 7 pm
- Saturday: 9 am - 4 pm
Visitors should bring their folding chairs, cameras, and outdoor wear (like sunscreen and rain gear).
Cowboys and cowgirls can also apply to join the roundup (they can apply here). There are multiple positions open to the public as part of Custer State Park's long tradition of incorporating private citizens to help with its annual buffalo roundup.
Successful applicants need to attend the orientation to understand what they need to do and expect. They also need to bring their own horse.
The roundup attracts over 20,000 spectators.
Plan For The Next Antelope Island Buffalo Roundup
Similar to South Dakota's Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup, Utah hosts its own buffalo roundup. The Utah roundup is held on the stunning Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake, just a short drive from Salt Lake City (only 25 miles from the airport).
- Bison Herd: Around 700
- Date: October 29 (2022)
Cowboys and cowgirls are also welcome to join in this roundup, as are spectators welcome to come and watch the annual event. Still, Antelope Island's roundup of bison takes place in relative obscurity against the picturesque backdrop of Antelope Island.
The event looks like something from a Wild West movie. See the snorting, thundering bison running up to 30 miles per hour.
People are able to watch the roundup from the inside or the outside of their vehicle along the roads that the bison are driven. There are plenty of places on the island people can find a safe place to watch the annual roundup.