Custer State Park hosts bison auction on 7 November

Custer State Park in Custer, South Dakota, will host the 61st Annual Fall Classic Bison Auction on 7 November 2026. The event is part of the park's wildlife management programme and will take place at the Custer State Park Visitor Center.

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks lists the auction for Saturday, 7 November, with live and online bidding. The date and venue are confirmed in the park's 2026 auction details.

November auction follows the park's annual herd work

The auction is a public event linked to the management of the bison herd. The state agency says buyers and spectators from across the United States come to watch and participate, while the bidding is available both at the Visitor Center and online.

The park's 2026 guide lists the event as the 61st Annual Fall Classic Bison Auction. It also explains that some bison are sold each year to reduce herd size and prevent overcrowding. That makes the November date relevant to the wider visitor story: the auction follows the annual process of sorting the herd and deciding which animals remain in the park.

A report by an October auction report said dry conditions had led officials to plan a larger sale in 2026. The report placed the auction at the park's Visitor Center on 7 November and described the sale as a response to the amount of forage available for the remaining herd.

How the auction fits Custer State Park

The reserve covers 71,000 acres in the Black Hills and combines grasslands, forests, lakes, scenic roads and wildlife habitat. Its bison are part of a broader management system that also includes research and regulated hunting.

The auction is therefore tied to the landscape rather than being a separate commercial fair. Visitors attending on 7 November will find the Visitor Center serving as the venue for a live and online sale, while the surrounding park remains a large wildlife area with animals managed in their natural habitat.

The park's official information identifies the Visitor Center as a place to learn about bison and gives it a position near the junction of Wildlife Loop Road and Highway 16A. The Bison Center on Wildlife Loop Road provides another interpretive point, although the auction venue is the Visitor Center.

Visiting Custer State Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The 61st Annual Fall Classic Bison Auction takes place on 7 November 2026 at the Custer State Park Visitor Center.
• The auction offers live and online bidding, and the state agency identifies buyers and spectators as participants in the event.
• The park is in South Dakota, with Custer listed as the nearest town and the Visitor Center located by Wildlife Loop Road and Highway 16A.
• Wildlife remains unmanaged from close range: park rules require visitors to stay in their vehicle or at least 100 yards from bison, elk and other animals.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Custer State Park

When does the bison auction take place at Custer State Park?

The 61st Annual Fall Classic Bison Auction takes place on 7 November 2026 at the park's Visitor Center.

What is Custer State Park?

It is a 71,000-acre state park in the Black Hills of South Dakota, with bison habitat, scenic roads, lakes and visitor centres.

Where is Custer State Park and how do you get there?

The park is near Custer, South Dakota. Its Visitor Center is at the junction of Wildlife Loop Road and Highway 16A.