Camping at the Custer Buffalo Roundup

I grew up traversing the country in a Chevy Suburban with my parents and brother. For weeks out of the summer, we would tent camp at every state part, national park, or point of interest from our hometown in Georgia to parts unknown. There isn’t a location or adventure on the Discovery Channel that we haven’t been to or done.
Picture of By Kruger Bush Campers

By Kruger Bush Campers

Published September 30, 2024

I grew up traversing the country in a Chevy Suburban with my parents and brother. For weeks out of the summer, we would tent camp at every state part, national park, or point of interest from our hometown in Georgia to parts unknown. There isn’t a location or adventure on the Discovery Channel that we haven’t been to or done.

Of course, I grew to appreciate these experiences much more when my own children were old enough to be trusted to hike parts of Bright Angel or to not hang a hammock in Joshua Tree. Only then did I truly value the weeks I spent on the road for forced family fun during my teenage years.

Since 2017, when we first visited Custer State Park, I have wanted to return to South Dakota to take part in the historic Buffalo Roundup. Custer State Park has the largest and most pure herds of bison in the world. The rangers there have meticulously maintained the herd with annual roundups since 1965, and prior to that when unofficial counting and management occurred.

There are 1,500 buffalo that can be supported on the 71,000 acres of Custer State Park but about 500 calves are born a season. To maintain a pure bloodline and prevent over population, the herd must be curated. Each year, the Buffalo Roundup herds all those animals, bringing them over a rise in the land and into the valley for a majestic, thunderous sight. Imagine 1,500 buffalo in a controlled stampede coming in your general direction. No matter how far in the safe distance you are, you still feel like an extra in How the West Was Won, which was filmed in Custer.

This year, we were fortunate enough to travel to South Dakota to take part in the Buffalo Roundup with our extended family. My parents are seasoned campers, but my in-laws are not. In their words, “camping was out of their comfort zone.” However, they rose to the occasion and our group of eight had an adventure in the Great American West.

The movie may have said it best. “The west was won by its pioneers, settlers, adventurers is long gone now. Yet it is theirs forever, for they left tracks in history that will never be eroded by wind or rain – never plowed under by tractors, never buried in compost of events.” We were able to get a glimpse of the west the pioneers saw on our trip.

This weekend, go camping, find an adventure, make your own history!

Crooked River State Park Camping

Escape Winter Weather with State Park Camping in Georgia

Related Topics

TAGS

BLOGS

Crooked River State Park Camping

Escape Winter Weather with State Park Camping in Georgia

My 10-Year-Old Daughter’s First Georgia Bushcraft Fall Campout

This fall, I had the unique opportunity to take my 10-year-old daughter to her very first Georgia Bushcraft Fall Gathering, and it was nothing short of an unforgettable adventure! If you’ve ever considered introducing your kids to the outdoors in a hands-on and engaging way, this event is a must-attend. Here’s a look into our weekend and why it was a perfect mix of fun, learning, and connection.

Father-Daughter Duo at The Bushcraft Fall Gathering

As autumn sets in, the forests of Georgia come alive with a special vibe. This year, Billy Dukes is ready to embrace that magic with his daughter, Annabelle, on their first solo camping trip together. From November 8-10, they'll be at the Bushcraft Fall Gathering 2024 in Watkinsville, GA, staying in a Kudu Camper and joining fellow outdoor lovers.

Unleash Your Adventurous Spirit with Kruger Bush Campers on Jeep Courses

Imagine the thrill of tackling rugged terrain, the roar of your Jeep's engine, and the freedom of the open road—all while towing a Kruger Bush Camper.

Not the Ritz Carlton of Travel Trailers

Welcome to Kruger Bush Campers, where we separate the genuine adventurers from the Instagram influencers who "camp" in their backyard.

More from Adventure Vehicles