Wildlife Loop Road Scenic Byway, South Dakota

Length: 18.0 mi / 29.0 km
Time to Allow: Approximately 30 mins.

The Wildlife Loop Road, located within Custer State Park, offers the traveler a wide variety of experiences. There are open grasslands and rolling hills speckled with pine. Many of the park's wildlife species occupy this area and are commonly seen. They include buffalo, bighorn sheep, antelope, deer, elk, coyote, prairie dog, and numerous birds. Also, some of the park's wild "begging" burros live at the southernmost end of this road. The road follows the varied landscape offering views of the higher portions of the Black Hills, badlands, endless sky, and lush streambeds. The park is home to one of the worlds largest buffalo herds.

Driving the Byway

Directions for Accessing the Byway

* From Rapid City the visitor can take SD (state highway) 79 south to SD 36. Proceed west on SD 36, and as the highway enters Custer State Park the visitor continues west on US 16A approximately 2 miles to the Wildlife Loop Road.
* From Mount Rushmore National Memorial the visitor can access the byway by proceeding east on SD 244, then southeast via US 16A to the junctio