South Dakota’s Custer State Park

Once on the brink of extinction, American bison have become the main attraction at Custer State Park.

Just 24 kilometers outside of Custer, South Dakota, rests one of the largest state parks in the United States. Custer State Park, nestled within the Black Hills of the state’s southwestern region, comprises 28,730 hectares of breathtaking scenery and wildlife.

Although that wildlife includes game ranging from the majestic mule deer to the common white-tailed deer, the animal that garners the most attention is the American bison, also known as "buffalo."

Once on the brink of extinction, some 1,300 bison now live in Custer State Park. The herd, one of the largest in the United States, freely roams the park, often stopping traffic and wowing spectators.

Bison can weigh as much as 1,000 kilograms, despite their diet of grass and shrubbery. Their shaggy brown fur and large heads serve as their most distinguishing features.

Historically, bison played an essential role in South Dakota, particularly for the Lakota people, who relied on these animals for food, clothing and shelter.

Find out more about South Dakota at DiscoverAmerica.com.