The Only Full Day - Jeep Bison Safari - W/ Lakeside Picnic Lunch
Overview
Available languages
6 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
TWO NEW LOCATIONS - Safe parking.
Custer - 615 Washington St. 8:00am Depart
Keystone - 519 1st St. 8:30am Depart
Custer State Park in the one of the largest State Parks in the nation. Encompassing 71,000 acres in the Black Hills, home to abundant wildlife and adventures.
Open-Top-Tours is the only company to offer 6 hour Jeep Bison Safaris to ALL of the Park. Including - seldom toured Mt Coolidge Fire Lookout - spectacular views of the Southern Hills from 6,020 ft.
We tour in our unique modified Jeep Gladiators and Wranglers, with seating from 2 to 14 with great panoramic viewing. Perfect vehicles to travel the back country roads searching for roaming bison and wildlife.
Our guides are professional, well informed and a 'hoot' to tour with. They will explain local history, wildlife and answer your questions.
included: fees, bottled water and snacks.
Tours depart Rapid City 8am - Custer 8am - Keystone 8:30am. Lots of restroom stops and extra wildlife/landscape photo ops.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Layered clothing, jacket, sun screen, sunglasses and a hat are recommended
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
All-Season Tours Available
What To Expect
Custer State Park Visitor Center
First we stop at the State Game Lodge and detail its history at the Summer White House for Presidents Coolidge and Eisenhower. Then stopping at the Custer State Park Visitor Center we visit the many displays about the iconic species of the prairie, the bison. And one more stop along the Wildlife Loop Road at the Buffalo Corrals. The new Custer State Park Bison Center brings an all-bison experience to the park's scenic drive through the southern prairie of our 71,000 acre park.
Wildlife Loop Road
We tour through 18 miles of open grasslands and pine-speckled hills that much of Custer State Park's wildlife calls home. Keep eyes peeled for bison, pronghorn, whitetail and mule deer, elk, coyotes, burros, prairie dogs, eagles, hawks, and a variety of birds that are rarely found together in one location. A medley of colorful wildflowers and prairie grasses surround the road, making for a picturesque drive; and the landscape changes throughout your trip, keeping you on your toes.
Options
Jeep Safari CSP
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Special Treats for feeding Begging Burros
Bottled water
Snacks
New - Includes a picnic lunch (Subs/Stuff)
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
33 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
An absolute must do
Curtis1213,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highly recommend. Paula was an excellent guide. The scenery was breath taking and lots of bison, antelope and deer.
Highly Recommend
Karen S,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a great experience! Highly recommend! very informative of the area. Lots of information about Custer State park and the surrounding areas. Our Driver, Charley, is a plethora of information. He called us the night before confirming our tour and what kind of sandwiches we would like, He picked us up from our hotel. Lunch is included--he had waters and water flavoring/cheese and grapes/low sodium chips along with regular chips/granola bars/chocolate treats/and pickles to go with our sandwiches. Can you imagine eating pickles in the jeep watching buffalo roam all around you??? Anyway, Charley really made this trip enjoyable for us. He also recommended local food and other places to visit. He took his time showing us all of the sites. Along with bathroom stops-asking along the way if we needed to stop!! Highly recommend this Jeep tour and ask for Charley!! He is the best Guide.
Just a perfect experience. Made memories we will never forget!
jorianc2026,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an absolutely awesome tour with Scott in the red open top Jeep! When we saw the Red Jeep in front of our hotel, we were already sold. What an amazingly fun vehicle. We had the luck to be the only two on the tour with Scott, and he really knew how to treat us. Starting in the Black Hills, he showed us al the stunning views and nice spots in the area. We felt very safe in Scott his hands (as some of the roads in the area can be a bit treacherous). Afterwards, we went to Custer State Park, where Scott knew exactly where to spot all animals. We got to sit in the back of the Jeep here - how cool is that! We saw Buffalo's just next to our car, almost being able to pet them! (But as they say; do not pet the fluffy cows!) We got to feed the Begging Burros with food supplied by Scott. They loved it! (Special love to little Patches here!) Not to forget the Prairie Dogs and all other animals. We even made a stop at the very informative Bison Center. We had a lovely picknick at the prettiest location next to the water, with no other people there! Scott then took us up Needles Highway and the Cathedral Spires, also showing us Sylvan Lake. All just such beautiful locations. Honestly, this whole trip and the region were so magical. Scott really elevated the trip with this awesome tour and we made a memory we will never forget. Thank you Scott! I can only recommend the Black Hills Open-Top-Tours!
Great Day at Custer!
jwd1268,May 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Scott was great, we had a wonderful day with him!
Awesome experrience
suefS3637EA,Sep 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time on our jeep tour of Custer State Park. Scott was a great tour guide and driver. The open top was awesome-really allowed us to get the best views. We had a nice picnic lunch at a great location that we never would have seen without Scott's knowledge. I would highly recommend Open Top Tours.
Wonderful Excursion
Anthony W,Sep 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide, Cheryl Lee, was outstanding. Very knowledgeable and entertaining. We saw so much in this 8 hour adventure. Custer State Park, lots of wildlife (bison, praire dogs, deer, donkeys, antelope), beautiful scenery. We covered so many things you'll want to see in the Black Hills. Wonderful excursion.
The tour guide was...
Korey C,Aug 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour guide was friendly and provided great insight into the history of the area. Highly recommended
A GREAT TIME!
cdavisfl,Jul 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went on July 10th. There were 6 of us. We had rain so our guys who sat in the back had to dodge the cold wind that came with the rain. We also had to divert a little, but we had so much fun. Paula was knowledgeable of the area, and showed us a great time. Lunch was good on a picnic table in Custer Park. We did see wild life, as well as the beauty of the area!
Excellent experience beyond the tour
Bridget Z,Jul 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I can’t say enough good things about the tour company and our experience. The owner/manager worked with us to reschedule our date and gave us so many other sightseeing ideas that made our vacation spectacular. Our guide, TJ, was great. Would definitely recommend!
Custer St Park conquered
Sandra H,Jun 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00After having traveled for 5 days to get to South Dakota it was great having someone else do the driving and knew where to go. Our guide Mike was friendly, informative and picked up on what we wanted to see or learn about. Rich was very communicative beforehand in making sure we knew where and when to meet.
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