Custer Bison Sculptures

Strolling through downtown Custer, you'll notice life-sized buffalo sculptures scattered through town, each a unique work of art. The sculptures originated from the Custer Stampede Buffalo Art Auction, a public art project showcasing original bison artwork by artists from around the country, beginning in 2007 with the last auction held in 2016. Each fiberglass sculpture measures approximately 8 feet long, 2½ feet wide, and 5 feet tall at the hump. No two are alike — themes range from Native American imagery and Black Hills landscapes to American flags, quilted designs, and mountain goats scaling a bison's back. Finding them all feels like a treasure hunt through town. One of the most striking clusters sits on the hillside at 245 S. 8th Street near the Big Rock Park trailhead, where a private owner purchased six sculptures from the original auction. Pick up a Buffalo Trail map at the Custer Visitor Center showing the locations of all the sculptures, plus other public artworks, murals, and quilts around town.