Tatanka: Story of the Bison Reviews

Not at all what we were hoping but the sculptures were awesome and that was about all there was to see. Not worth the cost of entrance fee since you can see everything there in less than 15 minutes.

DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY! It was 3:30pm when we arrived. We were the first customers for the day and the last tour was to be at 4:30. We were taken into a very small room to watch a very boring video of Kevin Costner talking about himself. But the lady who was the only person working told me to wear my oxygen pack on the front of my chest and not on my back as it is designed to be worn. That offended me greatly. I'm dependent on my oxygen. We were left on our own. Never given any instructions as what to do after the video. We wandered through the exhibits which were mostly movie memorabilia from Dances with Wolves. We weren't given any type of tour. We went outside. The Indian village was half put up. We walked around and saw the statues, which were a great piece of art. But that was it. We noticed some speakers placed around the walk way but there was no sound. When we went back inside to exit this place, the curator came out. I asked if there was supposed to be sound at the statues and she said yes but she forgot to turn it on. I did address how she treated me as a disabled person and she said the exhibit was small and didn't want me to break anything and she didn't want to argue about it. I was not arguing. So if what we saw was all there was to it, we wasted $30 on the last stop on our trip to South Dakota. Additionally, went to the restroom and they forgot to install toilet paper holders. So they drilled a hole in the tile, stuck a stick in it and glued it. Real classy.

I didn't know what to expect, but our guide, Phil, opened my eyes to the history of my country and the Lakota people and the bison. I think everyone should see and hear about the lives of the Native American people and the bison as told by Phil at Kevin Costner's Tatanka.

This was a nice change of pace and a different perspective compared to Deadwoods main Wild Bill Hickock attraction. Watch the video to get an understanding of why Kevin Costner created it. Wasn't a large exhibit but very well done.

Beautiful sculpture is impressive and a must see...but the admission was steep! Items in gift shop were pretty pricey too. The small museum is informative. The short film worthwhile but the talk by a native Lakota was the highlight.

You didn't learn THIS in school! A small attraction - - good for the disabled. The land was originlly intended to be a hotel. Kevin Costner turned it into something respectful.

Kevin Costner opened his bison tribute museum with an emotional speech telling of his inspiration from the bison's history and his expectations of the bison's future survival. Tatanka means 'bull buffalo' and the museum tells the story of how these animals played such a significant role in the lives of the Indian Lakota people. In this smart well laid out centre there is much to see, including an excellent introductory video, many exhibits, paintings and bronze sculptures for an enjoyable educational experience. Outside in the grounds are huge life size bronze sculptures featuring three Indian horsemen chasing over a dozen bison in various poses. The centre is open May to September, adult admission is $7.50, there are souvenirs to purchase, a snack bar and on site car parking.

Easy to find and plenty of parking. Museum small and does not seem worth the $22 admission for 2. The oral presentation about the bison was good. Outside in the back is a beautiful huge sculpture of Indians trying to kill a bison in a herd. They have smaller models of the sculpture for sale. The film by Kevin Kostner explains the history of how the Tatanka museum came to be. It is a little longer than it has to be.

There is a short film, some exhibits, and a presentation.For me the highlight was walking outside, seeing the gorgeous views of the hills, and then seeing the metal sculptures of horses, bison and Lakotas.

The sculptures really should not be missed, they are really outstanding and showcase an important part of native history. This is certainly a start to helping preserve this important history and to tell stories that have not been properly told.

My wife and I were on a bus tour and this was one of many stops. We had seen the video of how this place came into being while on the bus. As informative as the video was, it did not prepare us for the amazing sculptures and displays we were about to see. The buffalo hunt sculptures are really impressive and the tour of the Indian camp with our Indian guide was great. A must see if you are in the area!

Just visited Tatanka for the second time on our visit to Deadwood but this time took our adult children. We all came away with the same conclusion as to how much we enjoyed it. The staff were extremely friendly and they even gave our group of only four a very informative 20 minute talk on the way the Bison was used after the hunt and afterwards there was a video of Kevin Costner on the opening ceremony and his vision. The outdoor sculptures were were truly amazing and we enjoyed looking at the costumes from Dancing With Wolves. It is a small exhibit but I think it is well worth a visit.

This is a really neat find! The museum movie and the story of how this sculpture exhibit came about was fascinating. The movie star, Kevin Costner, was so impressed with the Bison, South Dakota, and the history of native Americans from his award-winning movie, Dances with Wolves, that he had this exhibit commissioned. A quiet, out-of-the-way stop by Deadwood, SD. It should be advertised more; we might have missed it if friends of ours hadn't found it at another time. A very nice little museum and quick walk to the sculptures, which are powerful, impressive, expressive, and very well exhibited. I hope they get some more $$ to fix up the outdoor plaques that are fading, and perhaps install a walkway around the back of the sculptures.

Really good live presentation, good video, a little too much kevin costner for me but...history of the development of the place was interesting and sculpture was fantastic. Enjoyed the overlook in front of sculpture too. Some food and drinks here but we didnt partake. Nice gift shop.

If you enjoy hearing the history of the massive, majestic bison and learning about the sad story of the white man vs, the Natives, this is a wonderful must.
I was touch by the video that explained Kevin Costner's affinity with this place and it's history. As seemed to happen so often during our trip to Deadwood, we happened in just as a presentation started. Our Lakota interpreter did a fabulous job of explaining the history of his people and the bison. We were invited to touch and feel artifacts that he told us about. Then he took us on a tour outside to see the incredible sculptures related to the buffalo jump and how Natives would kill the bison and use everything from them for food, medicine, clothing and shelter. My favorite part of the outside tour was being in the teepee. Amazing that the Natives could put up and take down their teepees in 15 minutes each! Our tour guide was phenomenal!

This visit was the biggest highlight of my Black Hills visit apart from seeing family.

As a fan of "Dances with Wolves", Kevin Costner and Western stories in general, this was a part of the Black Hills trip I would not have missed. The Museum is located just a few minutes outside of Deadwood, SD. Parking is ample. Inside the door is a desk to pay ($12).

The display space is not huge. But there is information everywhere you look. The display covers information on the history of the Buffalo (also discusses Buffalo vs Bison), the Sioux people, westward expansion and more. There are also displays with outfits worn in the filming of Dances with Wolves as well as Lt. Dunbar's diary.

Outside, just a short walk away, are statues depicting a Buffalo hunt. The work is amazing and standing there was really moving.

The Museum was my one stop in Deadwood and it was completely worth the drive to get there solely for this stop. It's informative, moving and beyond interesting. Thank you Mr. Costner for making this information available to all.

This is a tribute to the buffalo. Is a very neat and interesting place to visit. There is a movie for you to watch about the buffalo. A demonstration by a very interesting Indian explaining a lot of the artifacts in the museum. There are sculptures throughout the museum and outside. They are just beautiful. We enjoyed our visit a lot.

Nearby Deadwood, worth a 30 minute visit, very nice exhibit of Indian culture and buffalos. Beautiful long range views.

Enjoyed my visit here even though I had gone under protest as I didn’t think I would enjoy. Some great exhibits, a small film show and a talk from a native Indian really opened my eyes to the terrible way these wonderful creatures and the native Indians were treated. Really sad.
Well worth a visit

The presentation by a Lakota explaining the importance and significance of the bison to his people and their way of life was highly educational and extremely interesting.
The outdoor space is wonderfully peaceful.
Deply thought provoking.
A 'must-do'!

Tatanka focuses on the history of the buffalo. The displays show how Native American's used every part of the buffalo for their survival. It also talks about the toll settlers took on herd populations. Make sure to walk outside to see the life size bronze statues depicting a buffalo hunt.

We have been very interested in seeing the buffalo/bison in this area so this place was a must. We were not disappointed, we arrived at 1p.m. And we were the only people there but we were invited to a presentation by Billy. This presentation was wonderful. Billy spoke amazingly well about the Lakota and their life and how they depended on the buffalo. We were so impressed and we learned a great deal. This museum is supported by Kevin Costner and he commissioned the wonderful sculptures of the hunt. There are also artefacts from the film Dances with Wolves.

Visited in the winter to find the attraction open and walked in. Interesting displays and historical presentations of the bison and Native Americans. Beautiful outdoor grounds with sculptures in a walking path. Great for families, mark this attraction a must do on your bucket list.

A place that had been a scar, supposedly to become a commercialized center instead is a place of serenity, enlightenment and respect. The sculptures are amazing. One can almost hear the shouts of the hunters and the thunder of the buffalo's hooves. Thank you Mr. Costner for not pursuing a commercialized ideal but rather a spiritual one.
Awesome place.

Visit here if you are NOT going to the parks in SD Badlands or Custer. Gift shop and a movie about buffalo are just not worth it.

Costner did a great job with this place. Wonderful information, artifacts and history displayed here. Outdoor patio with food available. Beautiful bronze statues, history and art collide.... stunning!

Phil the guide was amazing. We witnessed an unprofessional act between another employee and a customer. The staff (a woman) yelled very loudly at a customer about bringing a bag in. She said that she had enough of people, left the area and slammed a door--Humiliating the customer. A tour bus came and each of them were allowed to keep their purses. The unprofessional behavior and "different" rules for guests sure did put a damper on our visit.

Visited here during my Tour of National Parks and Canyon Country, the guy who spoke was pleasant, may of said he grew up in Canada, can’t remember, I certainly remember him talking a lot about Dances With Wolves, the statues outside were pretty cool and the views from up there were nice, I’ll be honest if this wasn’t included in the Tour I never would of done it but it was alright.

We received a $1 coupon off when we took Kevin Costners Deadwood Tour. Seeing the 20 min film was worth the admission. But then we saw the 14 bronze sculptures of the bisons and the three Native American riders. So inspirational and beautiful. I would highly recommend this for not only the children because of the hands on educational experience but for adults who can feel the Native Americans pain of losing their way of life and the tragedy perpetrated by the Federal government.

I wasn’t sure what to expect but I love anything Kevin Costner so I wanted to stop there. I loved the displays inside and outside, especially the costumes from ‘Dances with Wolves’. The short film they have is very interesting and explains how it all came to be.

Very informative presentation about bison and the Indian history. Presenters were very knowledgeable, friendly and native.
The bison sculptures were amazing.
Worthwhile visit!!

We attended as part of a tour group, and found it to be informative and instructive about the local Lakota people and their relationship with the bison.
Absolutely stunning statues outside - DON’T miss seeing them. There’s also chipmunks running around the garden!
Highly recommended.

This is a must see when in Deadwood - the history of the Lakota and the Bison. Once you see and hear of the relationship between the two, make sure to step out back and take in the sculptures commissioned by Costner.

The story of how Kevin Costner came up with the idea after starring in 'Running with Wolves' is worth hearing - the scrap yard, the mountain being flattened, the failure to build the hotel. Plenty of free parking.

The bronzes are excellent. The Indians' artefacts are interesting. For us the best was the opportunity to talk with an Indian woman, who knew her stuff.

We enjoyed the visit. We were just a little surprised with the video we watched within the museum saying Kevin Costner first planed that entire area as a motel. The Indian artifacts were pretty and the sculptures were beautiful. Staff was very friendly. Just not exactly what we thought it would be

Kevin Costner is to be commended for starting this tribute to the bison. Great exhibitions and statues. Lakota briefer, Billy, started out his talk very angry mocking how people describe the Lakota nation. He actually has a good story about honor and traditions but lost our group with his negativism.

When the Kevin Costner organization purchased the land, they envisioned a huge resort, Bison exhibit and museum type venue. When the resort didn't happen, their marketing organization continued the same method. What there is there is a small museum venue and outdoor bison statues. The only reason I can guess that it is still in business is the bus tours continue to stop there, they must get some type of payment or benefit. There are too many great museums and other things to see in Deadwood, that are free or really inexpensive, less that the $7.50 per person this place charges. If you want to see Bison in the flesh, in their natural habitat, go the Custer National part, a little over an hour away near Mt. Rushmore.

Stopped in to visit the gift shop as we had previously attended the Bison presentation several years ago. While browsing the gift shop, unbeknownst to me, I stepped out of the gift shop area and was immediately asked in a very rude and loud manner by both women working in the gift shop if I had paid admission. I responded I had not as I was only there to visit the gift shop. I was informed that I had stepped out of thr shop area and would need to pay admission. There is NO singage indicating I was not in the gift shop. Twice I was told to pay an admission fee. The two women working were so rude and unreasonable. Staff definitely would benefit from customer service training or better yet, replacement.

Museum set on a gorgeous view of the Black Hills. Very interesting story with the short video at the beginning. Costner was going to make a huge hotel but he didn't get the investors backing. This is a beautiful addition to the Black Hills but if he would have made the resort it would have been gorgeous and successful. Anything with his name tied to it would have been a major attraction. It was beautiful but was wishing the whole time he could have done it. Well worth admission and time.

Small museum dedicated to the story of the bison. Very well done. The visitor's center had a nice introductory film, a number of very nice displays, and really nice souvenirs. The area outside with the sculptures was very serene and peaceful and visually told the story of the bison very well. I had never heard of this museum and only found it by accident. Great find. I'll go back.

what can I say, my wife just loved it, the people there where very friendly and helpful. loved the statues

The native Lacota Indian speaker taught me a lot and held my attention to the end. I am so glad that a friend talked me into going. I spent close to 2 hours there and wished I had another free. Make this place a must on your list.

I would put this on a must see list. The narator is Lakota tribe and does very well explaining the history of the tribe. From only being meat eaters to interaction with other tribes like the Pawnee. Their plight at the hand of Europeans. The many uses of all parts of the bison. The hunt, teepee​ and sweat lodge.uses of plants berries and branches. Very good stop.

Terrible experience. Very unfriendly staff. How can you ask people to visit and then treat them like they are trash walking in off the streat.

Seeing the museum from the parking lot I remember thinking, "Is this the museum?" It sure didn't look like a museum from the outside, but then we stepped inside and it was amazing!
Billy, a museum worker who is Lakota, spent over 2 hours answering our questions about the Native Indians and their culture. My family and I learned so much incredible information! Thank you Billy for being so nice, and answering all of our questions. Also, there is a lot of beautiful hand made Native American Jewelry in the museum's gift shop at great prices.

Beautiful artwork and detail; In addition to viewing this depiction of how indians were able to collect much needed food and hides for clothing, there is a short video to watch telling about it's history, a gift shop, clean restrooms, indoor displays, and someone to walk with you and tell the story of Tatanka. Loved it.

Very interesting place. The presenter was very interesting had a lot to say. We learned many things about the Lakota traditions. It was an eye opening experience to hear history events described by a different point of view.

There are two highlights of this small museum: the incredible Buffalo Jump sculpture, and the talk by the Lakota gentlemen about the relationship of the Plains Indians to Bison. The gift shop, and the movie, are just so-so, soif you are limited for time, you can skip them. It doesn’t take long to tour the site, and it is probably the most interesting thing in Deadwood!

This is very interesting history of the importance of the buffalo to the Indians. Beautiful sculptures, movie costumes, etc. Would probably go back next visit.

This was our last experience at the end of our three week road trip and it was one of the best. It really summed up what we had learned about the Lakota people and Bison. The display is not large but we'll done. Be sure to listen to the Kevin Costner speech. The large outdoor sculpture query moving. A must do in Deadwood.

So glad we visited this tribute to the Native American people. The opening video had us all in tears and really set up the story and history of these wonderful human beings and their interaction with the buffalo and Mother Earth. Had the privilege of talking with a Native American woman who explained the exhibits and shared her story. The sculpture of the buffalo is awesome and really needs to be seen in situ - photos cannot do it justice. Fabulous!

Our tour bus stopped here and we were all the better for it. We had a short lecture from a Lakota tribesman. Learned much. Saw the brass statues built to depict a bison hunt, which were amazing.

Stopping by this place was one of the big highlights of our trip to S. Dakota. The staff was very helpful in explaining the exhibits. The sculptures were incredible. We loved the land and its legacy. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone who is traveling through the Dakotas.

Tatanka's glorious natural setting, museum of artifacts and breathtaking Buffalo Jump sculpture all make a visit worthwhile. But if you're really fortunate, Mavis Two Bulls will be there the day you visit, to share the stories of her people and their wondrous culture of generosity toward and respect for others, and their deeply-ingrained reverence for nature. Mavis belongs to the Oglala Lakota band of Indians, and is a descendant of Chief Red Cloud. The tales she told us evoked both smiles and tears, and we all left with a profound sense of what was nearly lost to the world when America's First People were chased from their lands, confined to reservations, forced to abandon their native language and ways, even to give up their names. The lessons Mavis offers are gently, kindly shared; open your heart to them, and you'll never forget your visit to Tatanka.

I had this on my list of places to go, and we barely made it in enough time before they closed for the day (we spent much longer in Wyoming than we anticipated). Due to closing in less than an hour, we understandably didn’t get the benefit of the audios, videos, or guide input, but the exhibit and information alone were enough to “wow” my husband and me. We’re very happy we made it in time, and we cannot wait to come back with our kids when they’re older!

We enjoyed this museum. They were being extra cautious because of co-vid which I appreciate. The staff was very kind and knowledgeable. The sculptures are fantastic! It was all smaller than I expected but still enjoyable!

JJ was our speaker, a Lakota Indian and offered great history and facts on the bison. The sculpture outside is magnificent. The movie, narrated by Costner was good but poor quality audio and outdated TV. Still this is a personal project of Costner’s and funded by him as they can’t be making money. Thank you Kevin Costner for reminding us of the people and land before us! Loved this place.

A small little museum with a few exhibits, but the native Indian speaker they had provided more detail about the history of the region. The kids enjoyed it as well. There is a short film about Kevin Costner, his part in Dances with Wolves, and what motivated him to build this museum.
The two great things about this location is the statues which are life-like and amazing, and the scenery with how peaceful it is.

This museum is owned and funded by Kevin Costner. It's interesting inside, but the best part is the sculptures that model an actual Sioux bison hunt, and that's outdoors. The museum isn't a huge deal, but it's a worthwhile stop anyway.

The exhibits are very good and kudos to Kevin Costner for following his vision. The sculptures are amazing. BUT, wanting to try a bison burger we thought this soybean a good place. Uh uh. $10.50 for a dry bun with an over cooked meat partie. No dressing, no lettuce or tomato, nothing. Worst deal ever.

I arrived at the museum at the same time as a presentation was being given to a group about life as a lakota person. Very interesting presentation. The presenter seemed very open to questions and seemed to enjoy talking about his life and his people. The museum itself is small but features some costumes from Dances With Wolves as well as several metal sculptures of a buffalo hunt. The deadwood trolly does not go to the tatanka museum but I was able to go to the hotel across the street and walk actoss the highway. Watch for cars.

I had read this was a museum showcasing the importance of the buffalo to the native Americans. I believe it falls far short of that. Instead, it impressed me as the story of a failed real estate venture by Kevin Costner. The museum is more a prop than an educational experience.

The afternoon I arrived there were two people visiting. They were being escorted by a Lakota woman who appeared to be explaining every piece on display. There was no one at the admission desk. I wanted to view things at my own pace; therefore, I didn't seek to join the couple with the guide. I walked through the gift shop toward the door to the outside where the sculptures are on display. The gift shop has every Kevin Costner movie for sale on DVD. The walls contain posters from "Dances with Wolves." There are display cases with costumes from the film. I got to where the gift shop blends into the snack bar area. That was closed. The guide saw me. She asked if I wanted to join her and the couple as they went out to see the sculptures. How could I say "No." yet still go see the sculptures? I joined them.

The sculptures are well done. The artist deserves all the credit she can get. They are arranged to illustrate a buffalo jump. The landscaping isn't dramatic enough for a person to figure that out for themselves. The guide came in handy.

For me, the guide was overly helpful. She prattled on and on about her people's way of life before the white man arrived. Some of what she told was new information for me; however, most was not and I felt trapped. You can't easily slip away when you are a part of a group of three.

We ended the tour with the video. Usually, the video comes first.

The video is about 20min long. The majority of it is Kevin Costner's speech at the opening ceremony. It is too long and tedious. You learn that Mr. Costner bought the land to build a large resort, but couldn't get sufficient investors. You learn that he commissioned the sculptures for the resort. So, he owned them but had no place to display them. The museum was not his original mission.

I may be overly cynical. I suspect that a non-profit museum where his sculptures are the main attraction provides him significant tax benefits.

The admission fee is $9 for an adult. I ended up giving mine to the guide. It isn't clear how this place stays open. Unless I was there on an off day they don't get enough visitors to keep the lights on.

I advise you to skip Tatanka. I suggest instead that you visit Custer State Park which is very close by. There you can see live buffalo.

This is a great exhibit to stop, view, and learn about the history of the bison and the culture that used every single part of the bison to survive. There is a small museum, gift shop, and scheduled talks by local Lakota. The main exhibit, the 3rd largest bronze statue in the world, is outside just a short, paved, level walk.

Very neat experience. Very close to Deadwood about a mile away and unlike anything I have seen in my travels around the area.

At first we were steering away from this thinking it was a tourist trap, but after seeing the sights in Deadwood we decided to give it a go as something a little different. It was a Monday and we were the only people there. They started us off with the 20 minute video – which to be honest is very poor quality and really is a bit over the top on how great Kevin Costner is, but it did explain the place. The exhibits were very nice and the sculpture – 3rd largest bronze sculpture in the world – was really cool to see. So we were glad we did it but I could see for a family this could get pricey quick for short visit.

We arrived at the opening time and was able to watch the video. The video was informative and educational. While looking at the nice collection of artifacts we overheard one employee complaining to another employee about how busy they were and how unhappy they were with working there. We then went out to the Bison statue area and were disappointed to find the grass so tall it went halfway up the statues. We both felt this took away from the total experience.

The place is compact but gives a lot of information. Make sure to watch the video first. Then make sure you listen to the volunteer sharing information about the bison. Then walk around outside to the bronze statue.

High above Deadwood, South Dakota is a place VERY much worth visiting. It's a collaboration among Lakota people, a great artist, and Kevin Costner. Please check to see when a Lakota person is scheduled to speak (they do this regularly) and give yourself time to hear the 15-20 presentation.

It's beautiful and stirring.

We really enjoyed visiting this small museum dedicated to the bison and built by Kevin Costner. There is a short film at the beginning then exhibits to see such as clothing from the movie Dances with Wolves. This is one of my favorite movies so was interesting to me. There are some artifacts too. Outside there is a huge bronze sculpture that shows Native Americans and bison interacting. This was sculpted by a woman artist. There was also a tepee outside but it didn't amount to much.

This is a rare find. The short movie, native american talk, and lastly the sculptures were great. The Lakota speaker connected well with the audience, elaborating on his own experience. He engaged the audience, young and elder. The staff was courteous and friendly. Costner did a good job of taking his vision, and making it into a beautiful site.

Great museum and friendly staff. Love the gift shop and movie of the museum. Outside the museum is breathtaking with the views of the mountain and the statues of Tatanka

Some very good sculptures to look at. Some other interesting artifacts and props from Dances With Wolves.

So incredibly well done. Thank you Kevin Costner and Deadwood for this beautiful display and education around the Bison. So very well done. The sculptures are fabulous. This is well worth seeing and making the beautiful stop.

We heard that this a good place to visit, but we had something of a spiritual experience. The “presentation” was phenomenal! Our guide, Billy, was so informative and good at answering our questions. He received the “high sign” that his time was up but continued to answer our questions. Then we went out to see the sculptures. WOW!!! So beautiful. Incredible detail. A gorgeous setting. We just kept starring and taking pictures. After, we also watched the video of Kevin Costner creating the place. Very interesting. Definitely a two thumbs up experience. Don’t miss it

We were there on a Saturday in mid May. Only a couple other people there at the time we visited. It was interesting to hear the story of the bison.

This is only a short drive from Deadwood and easy to find. It is an excellent half day trip. It started with a very interesting talk by a member of the Lakota tribe about half hour long, and then were taken outside to the bronze casts depicting a bison leap. The views from here are on a clear day breath taking, a distance of about 125 miles, you can see 4 states from here. If you are able to visit the Vore Buffalo Leap to learn more about this way of hunting the bison beforehand please do. There is an excellent shop/ visitors cafe with restrooms/ toilets and a small cafe.

I was amazed at the sculptures there. Very interesting and enjoyable. I would highly recommend visiting this site if in Deadwood. Staff personal were very knowledgeable.

Thank you Kevin Costner for supporting this beautiful collection of bronze sculptures of Buffaloes (Tatanka).
This is a must see!!

A native guide explained the Lakota way of life. The Buffalo Hunt statues are amazing. A great gift shop with native jewelry, crafts and packaged food products is not to be missed.

The Kevin Costner museum dedicated to telling the story of the American Buffalo with a movie, artifacts from the Native Americans of this area, items from the Dancing with Wolves movie and lots of local artisan souvenirs for sale. The sculptures were awesome but the plot was VERY overgrown. Nothing like the photos on Google. Worth the trip!!

The sculpture is very impressive. The Native American giving the Native American version of the bison was very informative. Just great to listen too.

Stop yelling at your guests!
Your tone and volume was uncalled for!
The lady who presented on the bison was extremely knowledgeable.
However, the lady that greeted us at the door ruined the experience. Yelling at us that no bags were allowed. Yelling at us to keep purses in the front of your body. Yelling at the people in the gift shop. I don’t care if you had all brothers in your family and needed a loud voice. Your tone and volume was rude and disrespectful!

This place deserves more recognition! Kevin Costners dream to open this place to preserve the native american and bison heritage in the area. Go! you will be delighted you did.

Enjoyed the exhibitions very much. Spoilt by the fact that as we went in the lady behind the gift shop desk said we had to hand our bags over before we could enter ! We gave her them reluctantly , as I had a lot of money , passport, phone etc in it , she said it would be put in a safe place . No ticket, so after a couple of minutes I thought no I don't want it left somewhere and not having any proof which one was mine. I went back to the desk. The lady had gone and another assistant was there. The bags were all at his feet in full view of everyone. Which ones yours he asked !! I pointed it out and he gave it over without question. Then I continued walking about in the gift shop etc and no one said anything. . A coach party came in later and no one asked them for their bags. There was about ten on the floor with mine. If you have to take bags away there should be lockers and keys .

We watched the 20 minute movie which gave us insight into Kevin Costners reasons for building this place. The sculptures are very impressive. They were so realistic! The best part was listening to Billy tell us about the Lakota way of life. We really learned so much and he was a great speaker. We enjoyed it very much. We did receive a discount for AAA membership and seniors also receive a discount.

We stopped in on a snowy day and loved the Bison statues covered in a bit of snow. vey nice presentation as well.

You pay $12 per person to watch a 20 year old video which basically sums up that Costner wanted to build a hotel and turned it into a place for sculptures instead. There are 4 costumes from the movie Dances with Wolves. Definitely not worth the entry fee.

I have just read all of the reviews and yes, I believe Kevin Costner is to be thanked for fronting the cost of this site I have also heard from another local source that his intension was to build a resort of some sort and the locals stuck together and denied him. This is not the meaning of this review I just think it’s important to know this site is not about a movie star but about the Lakota Indian Tribe.
This to me was an amazing lesson and touched my soul. How grateful am I that I heard from
a 100% Lakota Indian regarding the true story of their tribe and how they used 100% of the Tatanka . The stories we where taught in school were not told correctly through our history . Thank you for giving this site to honor American Indians, as they deserve.

The sculpture and the landscape around the trail are extremely impressive. I especially liked the Lakota presentation from a Lakota man.

We had heard about this exhibit from a family member and were so glad we saw it. It is important to see the video to understand and appreciate the history. We assumed Kevin Costner's involvement was a result of his "Dancing with Wolves" movie so we were surprised that was not the case. Sculptures are amazing. Definitely a "must see". We were very impressed with the exhibit but I don't young children would appreciate it.

A really interesting and cool experience! We learned a lot while seeing props from Dances With Wolves. The view and sculptures were incredible, and my kids loved the Tipis! I hope everyone gets to hear J play the flute!

We visited Tatanka yesterday. I guess I expected something different . I video with Kevin Costner telling how and why the attraction was started. Then a short walk outside to see the brass sculptures .
The most informative part was the walk thru the inside where you could read the history of the buffalo and the Indians of the plains who depended on the buffalo for survival. It was worth the admission price.

We stopped by first thing in the morning right after they opened. We were able to join the talk being given regarding the Bison. It was very interesting. We then walked outside to continue the talk at the sculpture. I didn't really know what to expect here and it was very informative and interesting. We went back inside and finished touring the museum. Definitely recommend. Go early, as it does get busy with bus tours.

It’s not a big place. But it’s informative. It’s nice to learn a little bit more about the American Indian heritage!!

This is well worth visiting whilst in the area, the people are bvery knowledgable and insightful, you will learn a lot about the connection between the antic Americans and the bison - I found the experience well worth it

Small museum but with incredible story behind it. Do not miss the video which explains why Kevin Costner built this place. He is heartfelt in talking about the history of the bison and the Lakota people.
We got to have a talk by a Lakota man who told us about the daily life of his people when the bison abounded. Also the many uses that they had for all parts of the bison was amazing and ingenious.
The outdoor sculptures are wonderfully done. It is a very peaceful place right outside of Deadwood.

What this isn't is a funfair attraction. This is a thinking and learning experience and one you WILL benefit from immensely.
From the rather homemade, but ultimately honest, video made of Kevin Costner opening the centre, to the very informative talk given by one of the hosts, this whole experience is one of learning.
In fact the sculptures are almost a second to the talk.
I would advise that if you have little children, or children who are more focused on their phones then this isn't the place for them.
But I urge you, I beg you, to go and learn about the real wild west and how the white European basically ruined it.

There's not a lot here but what there is is pretty cool. Costumes from the movie Dances With Wolves, the absolutely stunning bronzes and Kevin Costner's informational movie you watch before hand was very moving.

A truly hidden gem. The wife read something about this little piece of history just outside of Deadwood. Well worth the small fee. The sculpture is AMAZING! The story behind the sculpture is just as amazing. If you are going to Deadwood and haven't, go see the Tatanka site.

We visited Tatanka today after enjoying the morning in Deadwood. I realize it's off season and not much is going on but $12 per person to watch a Kevin Costner promo film, look at a few artifacts and see the outdoor sculptures is just too much. The sculptures are great and worth seeing but they really should have a reduced rate for off season.

You will love this undertaking presented by Kevin Costner. He obviously is very passionate about the Black Hills and its history. Don't miss this!

Stopped in and spent an hour or so here, seemed rather run down, grass hadn't been cut in awhile and other things seemed rather neglected. Wouldn't recommend for the price charged for admission, would be okay if only $5. Great sculptures but expected more.

This museum is a great little place. I have a feeling that things usually work out just as they are supposed to and I think that this place is a vast improvement over the resort that was originally planned for this site. It honors the Lakota and buffalo without being so intrusive on the land. A resort would have been a money grubbing nightmare.

There is a 20 minute video of how the museum came about and then you can browse through the museum. The museum has a snack area, fireplace and a nice little gift shop.

The main focus is on the sculptures out on the grounds depicting the Lakota hunting the buffalo. It's very impressive and shouldn't be missed if you're in the area.

We visited Tatanka last week on a bus tour. We were greeted by a very angry condescending Lakota lecturer named Billy. First thing he tells us is if he finds anything on any social media he will sue you. Not a good start. While informative I felt uncomfortable throughout his presentation. The guide that escorted us outside, Phil, was a lot more pleasant and really explained the plains tribes way of life.
I would like Billy to know that my ancestors had nothing to do with what happened to his. They were in Italy and stayed in NY when they arrived. So don’t take your anger out on innocent visitors. We came to learn not to be criticized.
I wouldn’t recommend visiting unless you want abuse.

This place is tricky to review. My nine year old daughter hated it. She was bored out of her mind. The seven year old actually liked the sculptures. I liked the exhibits but the movie is rather long and boring if you’re not a Kevin Costner fan.

This tour will sober you. It might even change your life. Read all of these 5-star comments and listen to Kevin Costner's speech. Phil will teach you more than your brain can hold. You'll want to know more. An awesome experience. Thank you, Susan, Phil and Peggy (artist of the statues).

Very clean exhibit with much about the Buffalo. Several nice exhibits from “Dances With Wolves”. The sculptors an amazing work of art. The video was interesting. Although we did feel it was a bit expensive for what was offered.

It is very affordable. Movie sets it up well and tells the story of the Native Americans and the Buffalo. Good well done displays. Literature says Indian displays outdoors to explore. They are not present. The sculptures are great and very meaningful.

I loved the movie, Dancing With Wolves. Kevin Costner built this wonderful museum to honor the bison (buffalo, tatanka) and the Native American Indians who roamed the South Dakota plains after the bison (they used all parts of the bison for their sustenance). The museum has an informative 20 minute (or so) video that gives the history of the museum and Costner's passion for preserving this history. Costner also talks about the incredible life-like sculptures that grace the back of the property - so superb that they take your breath away. (Thanks to the talented artist for her work!) The day we were there one of the Indian tribesmen was there and he answered all of our questions. I love history and love to learn - this man was excellent. They have interesting pieces of Indian history and great displays. I learned a lot.

The museum has a great gift shop.

Out the back of the museum on a grassy hill are the beyond incredible bronze sculptures of Indians hunting bison. Just beautiful. Awesome!!! Note - there is a nice cement path to the sculptures. Definitely wide enough for a wheelchair or walker. There is NO shade so if it is a hot day, be prepared.

The museum is open early April to early October, weather permitting. The museum is closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Here are the ticket prices (as of June 2018):

Adult - $10.00 (13-59 years)
Child - $5.00 (6-12 years
Discount - $8.50 (60+ senior, millitary, veteran, AAA).
5 years and under - FREE
Groups of 15 or more - $8.50 each (one payment)

I'd go back; that's just how good it is. Also, the museum is easy access from Deadwood and the main road.

Best thing we did while visiting Deadwood and surrounding area.We wish there was more places like this to teach real history and first hand history. Make sure to sit in on the presentation,my children really enjoyed it!

Very interesting place to visit. Was surprised to learn that Kevin Costner owns the building and land, but doesn't profit from the museum. I have a whole new respect for him. Was disappointed that we couldn't take pictures there though.

We visited today as part of a group tour. The film and scenery are amazing. There are several original artifacts to view as part of the Lakota story. That said, Billy, the Lakota presenter is angry and his presentation, though informative is quite alienating to tourists. I shared my disappointment with him afterward and he did not seem at all surprised and advised me to share my concerns with Kevin Costner.

This was worth the visit. Very informative. Would recommend visiting here. Enjoyed learning about the Lakota people.

They start out with a film giving the background from Kevin Costner. There is a small area with items of interest to look at but they have a speaker from the Lakota tribe and that was what made the visit. He gave a very informative talk that was so sad and touching.
The walk out back to see the sculptures is amazing. The sculptures are so well done. It is a small place but it really puts you in touch with the Lakota and the bison.

We stopped here while on a bus tour. I had never heard of the place. While on the bus, they showed a video of Kevin Costner talking about the whole project. All during our bus tour, we learned about the terrible treatment of the Indians, so we appreciated this stop even more. An Indian gave a presentation showing how all the parts of a buffalo were used for clothes, utensils, tools, etc. The statues themselves were quite nice; but the wild grass did cover up too much of the statues.

Thank you to Kevin Costner for investing in this museum and sculpture. The film explaining how the site came to fruition was fascinating. Our kids loved seeing and touching the many ways a bison was used by native Americans. My husband and I enjoyed seeing costumes and memorabilia from one of our all time favorite movies, "Dances With Wolves". We all enjoyed the sculpture and scenery on the beautiful hilltop that was once a junkyard.

Had a nice experience at Tatanka, just outside of Deadwood. If you want to learn something about the Black Hills this is the place to visit. They also have several main character costumes on display from 'Dances with Wolves' that you won't find at the '1880 Town' or the 'Morning Star' Casino.

Great, unexpected surprise. We're so glad we explored this site. Very worth the time. The lecture was very informative. Both the displays indoors and the whole landscape of displays outside were very worth the time. Great experience.

Extremely educational. We learned many new facts concerning the governments therefore the White Mans treatment of the Native Americans.

The whole idea of preservation of the buffalo and the native American lifestyle is worth the trip. The talk was very informative about Kevin Costner, the native tribes, and their relationship to the buffalo. It will leave you with a very different attitude and understanding. I recommend taking time out to see this as part of exploring the Black Hills.

This is a small museum owned by Kevin Costner. It is not touristy, more of a reverant tribute to the buffalo. The presentation was by a Native American and was very informative. I would love to see this expanded, but loved what is there.

Very interest, short video by Kevin Costner started our visit. We then came to another area and listened to a Rosebud Indian tell about the Tatanka and some history of the Native American Indians. We were given an opportunity to ask any questions and then could visit the bronze sculptures outside, check out the Interpretive Center and/or check out the gift shop.

The world owes a debt of gratitude to Kevin Costner for bringing the dream of this attraction to reality, and to the staff and docents for continuing to bring his dream to life. Tatanka tells an important historical story overlooked by nearly every other museum of historical site in the Black Hills, or truly, across the Great Plains.

To immerse yourself in the experience, plan on spending a couple of hours here. There is a film about how the attraction came to be, lots of interactive exhibits, a docent talk, beautiful gift shop and snack shop on site. Then, of course, is the incredible Tatanka statuary! Take your time and really savor not only the artistry of the installation, but the history represented by the imagery, and the stunning views from the hill top.

We enjoyed the visit to this museum very much. We were given a presentation of how the Native Americans used very single part of the Buffalo for their living circumstances. It was enlightening to see all the parts and touch and feel what they were like and how they were used. Then as we went outside to view the large bronze art installation and the views were amazing. As we turned every curve and corner the views changed and were absolutely breathtaking. So, the design of the walk to arrive at the art installation was very well conceived and executed. I can highly recommend this museum!

If you are in the area, it is a great spot to spend an hour or so learning about the Native Americans and bison relationship. Founded by Keven Costner after his Dancing With Wolves movie. Be sure to see the DVD about how this museum started.
Just not substantial enough to be a destination on it's own. But continue into Deadwood to make it a full day.

What an excellent experience ! A very informative and amusing presentation from a Lakota and then the views of four states from an excellent outlook. Then the real McCoy with the 17 piece representation of a buffalo jump. A great visit if you are in this area.

Some fun interactive artifacts and lots of memorabilia from the movie Dances With Wolves, but it is a little self promoting. There is an outdoor walk around some sculptures, but we did not do it.

We stopped by on a whim on our way back to Rapid City from Deadwood. I’m so glad we stopped! We got there just as a Lakota speaker was starting a Presentation. I was in tears because the speaker was so incredible. My husband and I agreed that it was probably our favorite part of our whole trip to South Dakota. We highly recommend a visit.

We stopped here for a visit and enjoyed our time.There is a 20 minute video featuring Kevin Costner and information about the museum.Its not a huge museum but it holds a lot.Your tour guide gives a 20 minute talk about the Native American culture.She answers all questions about the museum and gives great information.The sculptures are amazing.There are also movie props from Dances With Wolves which are very cool.We recommend this for a stop.$12 admission.

The Lakota man gave a very detailed history of daily life as it used to be in his tribe. He told how to build a teepee and all of the ways the bison was used in daily life.

There is an amazing bronze sculpture of warriors driving bison to their death. It is very detailed and beautiful positioned outside.
There are numerous artifacts, costumes and pictures inside. Since Kevin Costner owns this, there are also several costumes from the movie, Dancing with Wolves.
It is well worth a visit. They also have a gift shop and snack bar.

But that was about it, a film dedicated to Kevin Costner had how this museum came to be. Some interesting artifacts and facts about bison. Some film memorabilia, but not much more. Seemed a little pricey for what you got.

I dont think I've ever been so disappointed in a museum, if that is what this is. We decided to check it out, hoping we'd see a buffalo sanctuary or something. Once we get in, a very rude woman at the front desk snaps at us to pay admission as we're signing the guest book. We should have left then. $9 each. Then we are pushed into a tiny room to hear a short, three minute talk on buffalo. Nothing new. Then we get another 10 minute talk about a sculpture outside. We could barely hear the speaker most of the time, then realized we were the only ones who didn't purchase a microphone set. The sculpture is neat, but not worth $9 to see.

We were so disappointed with how expensive it was for not much to see or do. It's probably worth it if you dont know what bison are, but if you already know, dont waste your time or money.

Saw this on a tourist map , so very glad we went . Amazing Native American guide , informative knowledgable and really interesting .
Stunning bronze figures in a brilliant setting . We really enjoyed our visit

small museum, with great bronze statues commissioned by Kevin Costner, but the great part was this 30 minutes talk by a Lakota Indian man, about all the ways the different parts of the bison were used.

Really wanted to go here and see the sculptures of the buffalo, get the feeling Kevin Costner had when planning Tatanka, and honor the Native Americans whose lives required bison/buffalo. It just wasn't evident today. It is understaffed and the displays need serious attention. The sculptures remain but the landscape surrounding them needs to be cleaned up. Disappointed.

If you are looking for information on our early American history related to Native Americans, this is a place to visit. As other reviewers have noted, your visit starts with a lecture on the Lakota people and how they lived. Then a guided walk around the grounds explaining the purpose of the attraction relating to informing people of the Lakota's way of life. The bronze statues depict how the Lakota People hunted Bison on the plains of America. Our visit was followed by a colorful bus tour of Deadwood; our guide had a colorful and funny narrative that talked about the history of Deadwood. This stop was part of a Globus bus tour and turned out to be fun and informative?

The story of Tatanka is the story of The Lakota.

How these magnificent animals provided life for The Lakota and survived the extreme efforts to wipe them from the earth.

it is well worth your time

We had a wonderful time on our trip to South Dakota. The story of the Bison was a highlight. We love the history and we left with a better understanding of the history of the Bison.

There was no one there. Drove through several times just to make sure we were not missing anything. Not a place to stop.

What an interesting story! We stayed twice as long as we planned to stay. While the small group that was with us got up right after one of the presentations, we stayed and had a wonderful discussion with the Docent who was a descendant of the "First People." She educated us further and deeper into the artifacts ... just because we asked. I found the life-size buffalo to be amazing. Standing right next to and actually touching the buffalo gave us a real sense for it's size which was mind blowing. Even intimidating.

Another part of the museum that I liked was seeing the actual wardrobe Kevin Costner and other stars wore in the "Dancing With Wolves" movie. Works of art! The sculptures outside were nothing less that off the charts. Amazing and worth the price of admission all on their own.

I gave a lower than 5-star rating because of the price of admission. The cost is right on when all of the features of the museum are able to be open, but too high when one isn't able to enjoy the outside area for food and drinks. (We visited in Sept. and it was a little rainy.) Also, don't go for the food. Very limited options to say the least.

This was recommended by another couple staying at our hotel, and we are glad we went. The video is a little long, but the guide in the museum was a delight to talk to. The display itself is magnificent.

The movie starring Kevin Costner was great. The statues, out back, of bison and Indians seemed like they were alive. I was very emotional. It was amazing to hear of all the ways the Indians used bison after killing them. It's a must see.

Very good introductory talk and explanation of how the Native Americans lived and used the land and animals around them. The statues are amazing and the view from the hill where they are is beautiful.

We were extremely impressed with all the items in the gallery. The guide was extremely nice and our group was small enough to have a little chat time
The sculptures outside were impressive
Great job to Kevin Costner

If you love history of the indians and the buffalo you love this.They have a small cafe there for snacks and a gift shop. There was a gentlemen that works there who is indian and very informative. We spent a couple of hours there on the way out of town

Tatanka is one of those gems of Deadwood that may get overlooked. Is just a little ways out of town but so worth the effort. We were blessed with one of the curators (Phill) telling my group of 52 about the Lakota way of life. He was interesting, informative and answered questions. He then took us outside to view the beautiful bronze bison statues. Representing the Native hunt for food. The location could not be more beautiful. This is my third time here and if I go back I will bring another group there for sure.

The management at Tatanka was very unfriendly and unorganized, especially Susan GM. Building was clean and states super and educational

I love the idea, and I love the topic. The statues are pretty amazing and are the best part.

The video was pretty poor and underwhelming. Didn't really focus or convey a whole lot about the bison per se. Lots of Costner reading a speech and a lot about the statues.

I wish it had been about the bison more.

The Lakota village which had been communicated to me, was only one teepee with nothing in it. I guess my expectations were too high.

The signage and pictures were informative and educational. The views were great when outside and the setting was also very nice.

I struggled between a 2 and 3, went with a three due to the topic and what they are trying to accomplish.

Enjoyed the presentation by a Lakota Native who gave information on the bison and the Native Americans. The sculptures are beautiful in the Black Hills setting. Not a lot to see in the visitor center. They have a gift shop and a small cafeteria.

We are history buffs and this fantastic museum certainly fits the bill.

To see the statues, to read the story and to see the costumes all combined to ensure that your visit will be one of both pride and humbleness.

Take your time, enjoy and be amazed that these magnificent animals are still with us.

Surprise, parked, walked up steps. Only one other car in parking lot
No posting anywhere about admission fee...asked how much!
$10.00. Too much for this veteran
I passed.

We are so glad we stopped here. It was so interesting and awe inspiring. The cultural presentation was so interesting we didn't want it to end. Don't miss this!

The sculptures are beautiful , well done and powerful. The visitor's center is nice. The film is extremely long and self-promoting. The fee to get in is RIDICULOUS!

I'm not much of a museum kind of guy but this place was worth the effort. Great outdoor sights as well as indoor. Kevin Kostner di Deadwood good!

"Walking in the middle of a chosen land" That's how I feel being here. A place to lezen, very nice people, beautiful sculpture. I hope to return some day!

I probably wouldn't have stopped here if we had been driving, however it was included on our bus tour of the area. I am glad it was.

While it is a very small museum (developed by Kevin Costner after filming Dances With Wolves in the area), it is extremely well done. The "talk" by the museum personnel is very worthwhile and tells of how the Native Americans relied on the Bison for many of life's essentials.

The Bison statue outside is really amazing and worth seeing.

The visit starts in the museum with a comprehensive explanation of the museum, property and history. The native American who explains life in the past and today is well worth the entire visit. The museum was built because of Kevin Kostner's efforts after his movie and life experience in Dancing with Wolves. The sculptures depict a bison hunt where the bisons are driven over a cliff in a hunt.

Good place to learn about the Bison. A narrator gave a talk about the native Indians and the Bison and the role they played. Outside there is a bronzed depiction of how the Indians used to hunt the Bison.

Wonderful statues of bison and the plains native American lifestyle along with the importance of the bison to their survival. It is not the most comforting feeling knowing what happened to them in the creation and expansion of the great country. Kudos to folks like Kevin Costner for his love of the Black Hills and attempts to help the Lakota Natives.

Phillip our guide was wonderful. He was very informative, we learned a lot about the bison and the Lakota. The view from the area around the bison jump sculpture was amazing! Thank you!

This place is very nice and could be fun but the lady working there was very inconsiderate. She was training a new worker and talking so loud you could not hear the videos. When we entered the gift shop she was still training, and she wouldn't get out of the way so we could shop, not to mention her language was horrible. We really wanted to buy some merchandise, but we finally gave up when she dropped an intense F bomb in the middle of the gift shop. I think the trainee was just as embarrassed as we were.

Presentations were very good and provided insight into the Tatanka way of life and history. There are items that you can touch such as the stomach of the bison that was used for cooking food and the bison blatter used for carrying water. If u do not want to sit thru the presentation -at least see the bronze bison statues depicting a hunt. That in itself is worth a visit.

If you enjoyed Kevin Costner’s movie "Dances With Wolves" then you will surely enjoy this handsome homage to Native Americans. The magnificent bronze statue @ the entrance sets the tone: it is 1¼ life size of a bison jump; horseback Lakota Sioux driving some 9 bison over a cliff. The museum is a beautifully presented tribute to the Lakota Sioux as seen through their use of bison in every conceivable manner towards their tribal survival.

If your in the Deadwood area this is a must. Its heartwarming and moving. So many things that are easily forgotten or not thought of. Thank you Kevin Costner for building the story of the Tanaka.

Tatanka is a fitting tribute to the North American bison. Kevin Costner reclaimed an area of land that was being used as a garbage dump and built a lasting legacy to this magnificent animal. A visit here is well worth the minimal entrance fee. Tour the displays, inside and out, and hear a description by a Lakota Indian of the bison's contribution to our first peoples.

Our Globus Tour Director had this as part of our itinerary within the National Parks Tour - Adventure. And this stop was indeed very impressive.
Tour at the facility/museum/grounds is given by a very learned and entertaining Native American who educated us on the life and the ways of life back then for "Indians". So much to appreciate about the natives, the bison, the land...and what had transpired with European movement & takeover of lands and affect on former traditions & way of life.
Art work, actual artifacts, .... and even movie props (costumes from Dancing With Wolves) are on display. The walk-about on the grounds further brings history & culture to life. Just learning about the teepee construction... it is mechanical, ecological, economic, and ergonomic technology in practice.
Beautiful setting... really... very worthwhile.

My 14 yr old granddaughter and I visited Tatanka this week and enjoyed this very much! After seeing a recent scathing review, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I like to form my own opinions, however, and take negative reviews with a grain of salt. So glad I did!!

We were greeted with a welcome, short introduction, and paid 12.00 each, I believe. While it is a self guided tour, we lucked out! A bus group happened to be there so we joined in on a presentation about the history of the bison given by J. She was so interesting, a great story teller, and provided a wonderful history lesson that even my granddaughter enjoyed! It lasted about 30 minutes.

Next we walked outside and followed the path to a breathtaking sculpture! I could have examined it for an hour! Situated on a natural grassy hill, it is stunning!

Back inside, we enjoyed the Dances with Wolves period costumes, artifacts, and information about the history of the bison, and how the Native Americans used every ounce for survival. The display cases and walls are filled with wonderful photos of the Lakota and examples of how the buffalo were crucial in day to day life.

We sat in a very small makeshift theater to watch the 20 minute video (be prepared, the sound is not great) of Kevin Costner dedicate this sight and center in 2003 at its opening. He explained his vision and passion for this project. It also goes in-depth about the making of the sculpture. Thank goodness he saw this place to fruition despite no investor interest. It truly is a gift to visitors and locals alike, to hear and see the stories of the Lakota Indians and their relationship with the Tatanka.

There is a gift shop with typical souvenirs, but also local Native American pieces for purchase as well.

We were there approximately 1.5 - 2 hours. As a resident, I will continue to support this center by bringing visitors here!

The sculptures at Tatanka are extraordinarily beautiful with amazing detail. We watched the video in the small museum and looked at the artifacts, but the main event is the sculptures outside. We were fortunate to visit one morning when only one other party was present. We enjoyed the solitude of the hillside display. We took our time and spent an hour and a half at Tatanka.

What a wonderful experience there at the museum. Our guide was so informative, patience, and thorough with the bison artifacts and culture. If anyone is in the area it’s a must see.

This memorial is to keep the story of the Bison in the minds of people and remind us that the Bison were once very prolific and ruled the plains. Due to hunting for skins and meat, the Bison nearly became extinct. Many people relied on Bison for their livelihood and for trade. This is a tribute memorial, largely promoted by Kevin Costner and never quite realized to the scale he envisioned.

Let me say they have parking, small store, refreshments easy access, all around the bronze sculptures, walkers, wheel chairs and buggies have no problem.
This is a must stop very interesting. The Tatanka story, the Native American Indians story how they lived on a daily bases. The tools made what the uses were for. The beading, combs, making water bags for carrying water. Bronze sculptures are life like and just amazing. We were pleased with all the exhibits.

This was the most interesting and beautiful thing I've ever seem! The most informative place about Kevin Costner and his love for the land and Bison. You get a 20 minute movie about how these sculptures came about by Costner. Then a talk from a Lakota First Nation then he takes you for a walk to see the area where the bronzes are and more about his ancestors how they lived. Everyone needs to support this place for history.

I stumble upon this place as it was across the highway from the The Lodge at Deadwood (great hotel). The museum was well done. The bison sculptures are amazing! Definitely worth a stop if you are a tatanka fan!

I thought this was going to be a free roadside attraction. Instead, it was an overpriced museum with a neat sculpture. Lot more places would be a better bang for your buck.

This is a jaw dropping sculpture of an Indian buffalo hunt. You must see it. If my memory is correct, the lady who did this is from S.D. and was commissioned by the lead actor, Kevin Costner, of Dances With Wolves. To say the very least it is a dramatic piece of work. the museum on the ground is extremely interesting and well worth the visit. Skip the rest of the "stuff" going on in Deadwood and see this.

The center is not large, but the history is important and explained well. Walk through the museum which is well done. Watch the movie about Kevin Costner's dream and dedication to making this happen, it was so interesting to hear his thoughts and ideas (but maybe a little too much of his speeches). We then went on a tour outside, lead by a Lakota Indian woman, which was excellent, where we learned about the massive bison art piece and about the Buffalo Jump.

This is well worth a trip to see. The story behind the sculptures, the sculptures and the history of the people was presented beautifully. The man at the museum told and show of things of his heritage, which we greatly appreciated. Thank you!!!

Your visit starts with a short film narrated by Kevin Costner. We could feel his passion. Museum displays memorabilia of Dances with Wolves and Native American artifacts. A local Lakota tribe member was available for the day to talk about life of Lakota. Then take a walk outdoors to see 14 bison being pursued by three Lakota. We also saw a number of Bighorn Sheep roaming the property. Wonderful visit.

We were looking so forward to taking a quick pit stop to see Tatanka. We looked up the hours of operation and saw that it was open until 4pm. When we got to the entrance, which is a quick blind turn, at 3:37pm we ended up almost missing it. That caused us to accidentally end up taking the exit road and missing that the entrance gate was shut. When we made it to the "visitor center", an employee hurried over to the front door and told us that we could not see the statue or museum area because it was past 3:30pm. We could, however, look through the gift shop, but go no further than the end of that area. She then accused us of sneakily taking a back entrance to get there and suggested that we return the next day at 9am, when the site reopened. As our trip didn't allow us to make it back there, we took a quick look around and then promptly left. We were disappointed that our plans for a simple picture were crushed.

The Lakota tribal member talk was fascinating and informative. The sculpture is incredible, there were lakota made items to purchase. Lastly, the staff were fantastic and welcoming.

This attraction, owned and funded by Kevin Costner, has a nice visitors center and some exceptionally fine sculptures of American Bison, along with a nice gift shop and American Indian artifacts. Well worth a stop.

This exhibit needs an infusion of capital to reach it’s potential. The life sized sculpture is fantastic and the museum displays are interesting consisting of costumes from the 1990 movie Dances With Wolves. The interpretation needs more info on the importance of preserving our natural heritage and environment. As European settlers moved west, the bison were butchered by the millions which not only destroyed the species but destroyed the livelihood of the indigenous peoples.

We were on a bus tour and this was one of our stops. I really enjoyed most of the exhibits both inside & outside. It was very interesting to see how the Bison were driven off the cliff for hunting & how there was no waste. We also learned a lot about the everyday life of the Lakota people in both good & bad times, along with the terrible mistreatment they suffered at the hands of people they trusted. Overall, the exhibits were nicely presented and the Staff Person was excellent in her explanation of the displays.
I have also toured the Cherokee Museum in North Carolina & learned of their mistreatment.
CAN'T WE LEARN FROM THE PAST & STOP BIGOTRY & HATE & HAVE A PEACEFUL WORLD.

Very well doen, gives the depth of feeling of a story, like watching a story unfold. The detail is incredible, thank goodness this was completed and is there for all to enjoy. The interpretive center is well done too, and the video with Kevin Costner gives good context. The site is so apropos it is like you are part of the story. Staff are very nice and helpful.

We visited Tatanka, Story of the Bison in early October 2017 - the museum is captivating, the sculptored bisons, horses and their native american riders splendid. Susan Caldwell, the manager is a most gracious and helpful person. One mile from Deadwood, it is a must see.

This was one of my favorite visits in Deadwood. Kevin Costner had commissioned some sculptures of bison and Indians hunting them. First we saw a short dvd of Costner explaining why he built the facility. A beautiful Lakota women then told stories and explained how the Indians hunted and used every part of the buffalo. I was amazed. Then she took us out to see the sculptures. I loved the whole experience.

Arrived at the exibit on a tour out of Deadwood. It is a small venue but very interesting to hear about the lives of the Lakota tribes and their relationship with the Bison. We were given a talk by an native american for 20 minutes he talked about his people and also answered all questions asked of him. Then he escorted us to the sculputres of a Bison hunt Talking about the hunt and the land. Well worth the visit.

Kevin Costner's interest in bison stems from his movie Dances With Wolves. I forget how balanced the movie was, but this exhibit really only presents the Indians' side of the story. Several hands-on exhibits illustrate how every part of the bison was used to make food, tools, water canteens, tents etc. We were fortunate enough to be there when a native indian was giving a presentation on all these things. Their impact would be far less without the oral explanation. The poster boards on the walls explaining aspects of the history are well done, particularly the dramatic decline in numbers from 30-60 million to an estimated 1000 at their lowest point to about 500,000 today. But only the briefest of detail is given for WHY the white man felt it necessary to reduce numbers so drastically. The Indian viewpoint dominates with lashes of regret & guilt implied. This only worsens when the film of Mr Costner's speech at the opening of the facility is viewed - it is a rather soppy & one-sided account of Native American history.
The bronze statues impressively convey what an Indian buffalo hunt was like. I would have thought though that if any tourist attraction would justify keeping a few live buffalo in captivity, it would be here (we have been to others who do), so that this site's tribute to the animal could be complete.

I was hoping to see some Bison's but Kevin Costner commissioned sculptures of bison and the Indians hunting them was very good. I have seen Bison in parks and that was great but this puts the whole story of the Indians in a different perspective.
Get there early as they close the gate at 4:30PM

There is not a huge amount apart from the sculpture to see. We were lucky and went on a sunny day. Really needs a bit more to do to justify the costs. No clear indication of when there would be interactive talks, which would have been better.

For me, not so interesting. It was part of our tour. If you are interested in learning more about buffalo and how American Indians lived with them, then this place will be great for you. Lots of knowledge and information here.

We spent an hour here, viewing the exhibit, watching the film, and listening to a native American talk about the usefulness of buffalo to the native people. I learned a lot about Kevin Costner, his dedication to bringing the plight of the native Americans and buffaloes to the public eye. It's a nice location at the top of a hill. Beautiful sculptures and artifacts from the movie Dances with Wolves.

I traveled to S. Dakota from Florida with my 14 year old granddaughter and unexpectantly came across " Tatanka", which we visited. Kevin Costner has done something wonderful there. A great learning experience for us.

loved this place. Very impressive statues and so well depicted. Small museum good as well. A bit expensive but not bad.

Paid $10 to see video about Kevin Cosner buying land to build hotel( didn’t happen) and scenes with sculpture and most of video was Kevin giving speech at opening. I wanted to learn about history of bison. Exhibits were informative. Then self guided tour to see sculptures. I didn’t see any tour guide!!! Go visit Vore Buffalo jump instead ( right near Wyoming border) and you will learn so much more. Must be a tax write off for Kevin!!

Whatever you think of Kevin Costner as an actor (he's done wildly popular and quirky film; hugely successful, groundbreaking films; and some commercial flops), you have to admire and thank him for the wonderful gift to the public of the Tatanka museum. Don't leave Deadwood without seeing this gem of an exhibit. It's on the edge of town as you're traveling north. There is plenty of parking, even for RVs. The male museum docent was incredibly knowledgeable and a real pleasure to talk to. There is a film that visitors are requested to watch. It is mostly comprised of Kevin Costner talking about his vision for the museum. Even though it is long, it is worth seeing. The film, along with all of the curated exhibits and accompanying information, are essential preparations before going out to view the bronze sculptures of bison being hunted by Native American on horseback.

We saw some good western sights in South Dakota and this is one of them. Wonderful place to visit in the Fall not so many people to obstruct you sightseeing view.

This is a Kevin Costner supported visitor center with Native American presentations that tell good story of old West and especially the story of how buffalo almost became extinct. The statues are outstanding works of art showing Indians and the buffalo hunts. Tatanka needs a little more to get 5 stars.

Thank Kevin Costner for this wonderful experience. We were fortunate to have a Oglala Sioux guide and he made the trip worthwhile. All of the folks in this "museum" are friendly and full of great information.

The perfect historical nexus of Native Americans, Bison, and the movie, Dances with Wolves. Positioning the exhibit in Deadwood is logical - probably the best place to ensure that many people have the chance to discover it.

We were lucky to arrive just as a local Lakota tribe member was making his presentation. It was very informative and interesting. Unfortunately, a large tour bus arrived at the same time and it was so crowded inside, we couldn't look at the various exhibits while he was speaking - so we did the entire exhibit a bit out of order. Nevertheless, it was very interesting and well worth the time! The massive art installation behind the building is phenomenal.

We visited on August 23rd. The cultural interpreter was a Lakota gentleman who spoke for an hour and we could have listened another hour! He was extremely informative and personable. Then we walked the grounds and viewed the extraordinary life-size bronze sculptures depicting a "buffalo drop". They alone are worth the visit.

Tatanka is a wonderful little exhibit of sculpture mixed with a museum. Costner’s dedication to our Native Americans is seen by 80% of the crafts in the gift shop are from Native Americans. We enjoyed this exhibit.

A very moving history of the Native Americans and the Buffalo. The walk outside to see the statues was worth the price of admission in itself. A definite must see in Deadwood

This was a neat stop. Very short drive from downtown deadwood and was a nice break from the hustle and bustle of other tourists. Movie is definitely worth a watch. Statues are awesome.

The attraction and the guide "Phil" were outstanding. Certainly five stars are warranted. BUT one employee was unbelievably rude and obnoxious. She literally screamed at my 69 year old wife for having brought in her wallet in a tiny velvet bag and very much upset her. After the wonderful presentation by Phil we looked around the gift shop area and I quietly spoke to the "screamer" to inform her that she had upset my wife. Her response was to say that she had the 'flu and she hoped that I would get it. I offered my sympathy for her 'flu but said that was no excuse for her prior behavior. She started screaming at me "get out of my face" many times followed by "get out of here" many more times. I feel very sorry for Susan (yes, I did ask her for her name) because she must be very unhappy to behave so badly. We and our companions decided to not buy anything since we would have to deal with Susan. I know that many other people were embarrassed by the spectacle.

The story of the bison with a short video and a museum with costumes and such from Kevin Costner's Dances with Wolves. The sculptures were commissioned by Costner for his hotel which was never built. Instead he focused on this for his sculptures and they are beautiful!

Great summary of the Indian and buffalo demise. Phil, a Lakota native, provided great insight and personal family experience that added to the unique experience of this great facility. He is a valuable asset!

Good place to learn about buffalo and a little bit about Indians, We didn't see the short film but did see the talk.

I took my family there wanting to learn about the history of the area, the first people, and I got some of that. But, I learned a lot more about Kevin Costner, his vision, his thoughts, his passions, and about his movie. I understand why- because he was the funder, but it felt a little off balance.
During the off-season unfortunately there wasn't any special events or speakers, so after watching the Kevin film we wandered around to look at the museum room on our own, then out to the buffalo. Our visit was about 1 hour.
The lady working there was very willing to come from the gift shop to offer information, answer questions, and offer us umbrellas to use in the rain
The website says $8.50 entrance fee for AAA members, so I showed my AAA card. But, when I checked the receipt (a few days later) I saw we were charged $11 each. Either the website is wrong, or the nice lady accidentally overcharged us. Just watch for that.

As another reviewer said, tricky. I was overall impressed. However, I was mostly there for the bison sculpture, but the museum staff wanted you to experience things in a certain order, which I do not enjoy - first watch a video, then listen to a presentation, then see the sculpture. It was awkward. I liked the premise of the museum though. Probably overpriced for what it is.

This was a nice experience. However, the manager Susan thought it was appropriate to yell at her employees in front of customers multiple times for no reason. She was horrendous and then yelled at us, the customers, when we looked at her.

I was in this place a few years back. I loved the visit. It was stirring and informative.
I couldn't wait to bring friends and family there this time through town.

Last time the talks were passionate and informative. This time ... what a disappointment.

This time the indoor presentation was completely flat and rote. There was no tour/presentation of the outdoor portion.

The whole place seems to have taken a big step back ... even the gift shop items had changed .... much lower quality items ....

I got the feeling that the place was in financial trouble....

Make sure you listen to kevin costners
opening day ceremony. He speaks eloquently about the history of the native Americans.

We first visited this site 13 years ago with our granddaughter and I was so impressed I had it on the list to do on this trip to the Black Hills. Unfortunately, the second time around was not as exciting. The short movie about Kevin Costner and his dream was interesting. The displays were minimal. Last time a native Lakota man gave an excellent presentation about his culture, but this time it was the Education Director who basically focused on the uses of the bison. And although she was informative it wasn't quite the same. The statues of the bison, were of course, magnificent. For the price I wish they could add something more.

Through the informed presentation of a Lakota native the story of the Bison and its importance to the tribe is conveyed with sensitivity and understanding. We were shown how the animals were hunted and used to sustain a way of life for the tribe. Some excellent exhibits and sculptures are used to help portray the story.

My husband and I enjoyed this, the movie with Kevin Costner at the beginning is a must see to appreciate the museum and bronze statues. The view from the back where the statues are is amazing. The buffalo and Indians seem real and it is emotional to imagine them harvesting the buffalo in such a way as to drive them off a cliff. And to see the waste from the White Man just made me cry. Must see this place.

Didn’t care for the movie very much, but all the tribal items relating to the bison were great, quite the collection. The staff is very friendly and the sculptures are beautifully.

unbelievable-awsome-very interesting-staff is very informitive-the part i liked best was how peaceful and beautiful it is-didn-t want to leave

We went out to see this museum and were simply blown away. Kevin Costner has done a marvelous job in presenting the Lakota and the Buffalo. Mavis Two Bulls was our guide and she was very informative. There are artifacts in the museum, a short 20 minute film of Mr. Costner explaining the Buffalo Statues in Bronze and his desire to bring this museum and its grounds to the public. This is a worth every penny and must see museum. Jill in the shop was also very informative and most pleasant.

This is a beautiful site, awesome sculptures, inspiring thought provoking video inside the center.
We can’t understand why this isn’t publicized more. However, some said it is a political thing as some in current SD politics think this is too woke!
Then again, woke is of wisdom, openness, kindness, and education.so that is good.

The sculptures are impressive especially situated on a hill side so that you can imagine the entire scene as it was.

The museum portion was small with a number of items unmarked. The video droned on with a long speech by Costner.

In my opinion not worth the $10 per person fee.

Learned how the Native Americans used the Bison (they didn't waste anything). The sculptures are amazing and so detailed! Great learning experience!

What an amazing place for learning! It was a breathtaking view and the bronze sculptures are truly impressive and give you a real sense of the size and power of a buffalo jump. I also left with a new found respect and awe for Native American culture and the nomadic way of life. Really one of the best learning experiences myself and my children have experienced. Also a great gift shop and lunch spot!

Pulled in with every intention of visiting... Until we got to the signs with all of the things listed that you can't take in with you. We brought my 73-year-old mother who is DEFINITELY old school. She refused to go in without her purse, so we left. Funny, they want your money, but won't allow you to bring your purse in. 🙄 One of the stupidest things we've ever seen in our travels. If it is because of "people taking things" as others here were told..... That happens in every other place across America and they still allow you to carry in the thing that holds your money! That's what security cameras, tags, etc are for. Surely Mr. Costner can afford those things to protect his investment.

Great history, kind staff and a view to die for. You'll see move props and an actual Lakota gentleman is often there for information.

This museum is not to be missed. Kevin Costner strives to create a meeting place between the cultures of the Lakota and the settlers of European descent. The focus point is the bison (commonly known as buffalo) which provided so much of the livelyhood on the prairie. We come to know how the Lakota used the entire animal for different purposes, and took care to retain the balance in nature. The museum sits high in a park that will increase in beauty as more pine trees are transplated there. Our Lakota guide gave a very inspiring talk and answered questions. There is also a film about how the Tatanka project came to be, well worth watching.

Tatanka means the "Big Beast" when referring to bison or buffalo. This is their story.
Kevin Costner built this as a tribute to the bisons and the native Lakota Indian population. The large bronze sculptures are spectacular. This is the third largest bronze sculpture in the world. It also includes an Educational Interpretive Center with a short film on the history of this site and some interesting historical exhibits and gift shop and snack bar. It is located on the northern edge of town on the way to Spearfish. It is a little price, but it is definitely worth a visit.

You won’t regret stopping here. It’s very informative and interesting. A lot of work and love have gone into this place. We got there close to closing time but they were gracious enough to let us tour the place. I highly recommend it.

Had a fantastic guide the day we visited. He was Native American and was full of useful information. Very good!!!

We had an excellent time here. We had enough people (11) to warrant a presentation and it was awesome and very interesting. Mavis made us feel right at home and taught us a lot about her culture and past. We enjoyed her and the presentation. The outside was as interesting as the inside. I would recommend for all ages

This is a spot that can be easy to pass by unless you are looking for it. It comes across as an unimposing block design building. However, once you enter it, you enter a different world and a different time. The collection of LaKota artifacts and clothing is most impressive. The interpreter we had was well informed and most entertaining, sharing almost too many anecdotes to recount. The centerpiece is the massive 17 part bronze sculpture (life size) of a buffalo fall. That alone is worth the time. We only had about 2 hours (on a bus trip), but could easily have spent the entire day there!

The site was the creation of Kevin Costner (with the help of many talented people) and it expresses the love he developed for Native American culture after making "Dances With Wolves." One caution, buffalo meat, while healthier than beef, is not for everyone. Do not miss this glimpse into a culture that is precious and well worth the time.

It has both indoor exhibits and the amazing outdoor art. Weather issues should not deter a visit.

Since I am such a big history buff and a lover of Kevin Choster and his movies, I was really excited to go there. The large bison and indians on horseback, depicting a Buffalo Jump was amazing. The Blackhills are beautiful and while we were there, the fog came in and it gave you chills. So much to see and learn about the Lakota people.

We started with the video that introduces the site and it's background. Then the museum has a lot of artifacts. There was a talk given, and the presenter was very knowledgeable about the bison and how the Indians valued an co-existed with it. (she is a bison expert, not an Indian expert, just remember that) Going outside to see the sculpture, you start by seeing the beautiful land and scenery, then round the hill to see the sculpture, which is very impressive.

But don't bring a bag, including a purse, they are not allowed into the museum.

Wonderful presentation, the artifacts are very cool. The outdoor sculptures are amazing and worth seeing.

Great place for a short visit with beautiful views. The staff were super friendly and helpful. There was an informative video explaining how the place came to be and how the statues were created. Great gift shop as well as informative exhibits inside. I expected the outdoor statues scene to be larger and spread over a wider area, but I was not disappointed in the least. The statues are magnificent in their detail and I was glad we made the stop to visit. Apparently the land has been sold and the status of the statues is in litigation so the future is uncertain. If you can squeeze a visit into your current or upcoming vacation, I say do it, it was a great experience.

This is an interesting stop if you want to flow down and absorb some information from the Native American guides. It's accessible for all with a smooth path around the outdoor exhibits, kudos to Kevin Costner for funding the place

My Wife and I were staying right across the highway at the Lodge of Deadwood and decided to visit Tatanka. Anytime I hear that word I always think of Kevin Costners scene in the Movie,it was Hilarious. There was only four of us for the movie and the presentation by the lady of Lakota ancestry which is a shame because there is a lot to learn about our Native Americans and the Bison. Everyone should try and visit here,I think you will leave a little bit smarter. Steve & Deloris

First of all, I'm a huge Kevin Costner fan and love his work. I also love the story of the American Bison and believe the story of the American Indians needs much more attention. However, this stop misses the mark. This attraction is mainly the sculptures originally created for Costner's larger vision of a grand resort. They are beautiful and displayed very well in the back. But that's about all there is. The film room is small - 8 seats - and the film is about Costner's vision and how he saved this land from the old scrap yard it was. Again, love that he did that but I thought we'd hear more about the Indian people and story of the Bison (the name of the stop). For the $30+ we paid as a family it just wasn't worth it.

We were blown away by the video that Costner narrates at Custer State Park which is what we thought we'd see here. At that stop the movie is amazing and the story / history of the Black Hills is much deeper. I'd suggest go there for less money and also get all the things that go with the state park and a 7 day pass.

This is not your typical museum. Kevin Costner was inspired to create this museum after filming “Dances With Wolves” in the area. The theme was singular.....to show the importance of the bison and their relationship with the Native Americans. The word “tatanka” means “bison” in the Lakota language.

The museum is small, has Native American artifacts, a stuffed bison, items from the movie, items from the early Europeans, a film, gift shop and restaurant. The talk we were given was my favorite part.... we learned how the indigenous people used virtually every part of the bison for their survival. It was much more than just meat and hide.

The sculpture scene out back is amazing. It was once the issue in a lawsuit by the artist against Costner, but the judge found in Costner’s favor. The scenery from this spot is spectacular off in the distance.

We were supposed to have lunch here but they did not have enough food for all of us so I cannot comment on the food. Admission may be a bit high, but I always view it as my one time donation to support a museum. There were some nice items in the gift shop, most a bit pricey. My treasure was a letter opener with a head of a wolf carved in bone. There are NO backpacks, bags or purses allowed, NO filming or recording, smoking, or pets (service dogs with card and vest are ok). I think Costner was successful in his mission and I am glad we had the opportunity to stop here.

Very interesting stop on our vacation. Learned about part of Native American life that we were unaware of. Beautiful display of statues depicting what a Bison jump would look like. Happy this was included in our trip

We stayed at The Lodge at Deadwood and saw this sign across the highway - Tatanka. Had no idea what to expect and was very much impressed. Talked to a full blood Lakota and he was very congenial and informative. Great small film about Kevin Costner's association with this site. The sculptures were beautiful. HIGHLY recommend the site and if you are in the Deadwood area you should visit this site.

If you go to Deadwood, South Dakota, you simply MUST visit this place. Do some research about Kevin Costner and his dream before you go, watch Dances With Wolves, then visit this awesome place and put yourself in that time period and soak it all in! Our guide that morning was the most amazing lady I have ever met! She is a direct descendant of Crazy Horse and her aunt was actually in the movie Dances With Wolves! Her presentation brought me to tears! I am so happy I met her, it is a must to visit! We learned so much! I am forever changed because of it!

Enjoyed learning about the bison and its role in Lakota life. Amazing bronzes. Good gift shop and educational experience.

Disappointed. Arrived around 1230 and were told that there was a 20 minute video to watch narrated by Kevin Cosner and then at 1pm there would be a presentation. So after the video we were walking around the museum and I noticed it was after 1pm. Went up to the front to ask when the presentation would be starting and was told that the person giving the presentation wouldn't be doing it now until 2pm. Evidently this person was in the office talking. So we walked outside to see the sculptures and they are something to see but the area was all overgrown so you couldn't really get a good view of this amazing work as discussed in the video. We would have stayed around for the 2pm presentation but there really wasn't enough things to do for 45 minutes and then there was no guarantee there would be a presentation then.

Watch the short movie first to understand what Kevin Costner was trying to achieve.
Movie can be requested as it does not have to run on time, Nice exhibits and gift shop (not too tacky). Make sure you walk out to see the sculptures - they are fantastic!
Nice views over the Black Hills. Very friendly staff who love to answer your questions.
Worth a visit? Maybe. Negatives: small place and overpriced for what you see.
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Truly inspiring museum that Kevin Costner put his heart into! The short film had me holding back tears. The sculptor garden overlooks a beautiful scene and is so beautiful! Get out of Deadwood and enjoy this very unique experience!

a good visit for the entire family, gorgeous sculptures in a beautiful setting ,it is seasonal.dress for walking and for the weather

What a lovely tribute to our American Indians and Tatanka!!! Wish we had more time to partake in the lecture. I would love to come back in warmer weather and revisit!!!

Arrived at Tanaka - upon arrival signs posted - no backpacks, no purses, a whole list of no's. Returned to car to secure my purse. Brought only my glasses and cell phone. Asked why all the no's listed, lady at desk said they had people taking things? Immediately put us in room to see Costner movie - I thought too long. Then door opens and we are on our own. No one giving a talk like other reviews state, then outside to see sculptures (very nice). No one offered us any insight on anything. Would not recommend.

A small venue with many artifacts pertaining to the local Native American tribes and their relationship with the mighty buffalo/bison. Our narrator, a local Lakota tribe member, provided excellent insight into daily tribal life. Be sure and take the short walk to view the bronze statues depicting a Native American buffalo hunt. Congratulations to Kevin Costner for providing support for this attraction.

This "tourist" attraction was more than a "come and buy a ticket" place. It was a serious attraction with fantastic learning and educational opportunities. Tatanka moved me very much. Don't forget to view the entire and impactful documentary either. The beautiful site features a dramatic sculpture of Sioux hunting buffalo. A Sioux docent addressed our group about Sioux culture and then toured us around a short concrete sidewalk that circled the sculpture. (It's not a long walk. Even a 94-year-old woman made the walk around with us. I was on a cane, and the walk did not bother me at all.) There were places to sit and discuss. The docent was intelligent, articulate, and full of knowledge--a good teacher and guide. You can't miss this historically and culturally accurate location while in the Black Hills. There was a gift shop and a small museum of Sioux artifacts also. Don't miss this one! I learned here, and I have a degree in American Western history.

I wouldnt recomend you go out of your way to visit this place, if you are passing through Deadwood then by all means call in.
The sculpture was very impressive, the museum seems to lack something. The video was too long and frankly boring. Lots of signs warning of rattlesnakes.

The best part of the experience is seeing the statues. They are very realistic. A short film is shown where Kevin Costner tells about his vision for Tatanka. It was very interesting.

We walked in and the staff was super nice and friendly, We came in October after they stopped the film, The staff memeber offered to play it for us. It was interesting to understand how the museum came about. There was not a lot of artifact to look at, but found the information plaques to be very interesting. I do not think they taught us this in history class. We had a Nakota Indian speak to us. His speech was very informal , We were the only 2 in the museum at 1st. He helped answered questions I had after reading the boards. We did so wrong by the Native Americans, One thing that sticks with me is: he told us a saying his great- grandma would say:: (I don't have the exact quote) holding on to past wrong doings is like picking at a scab. It will never heal. I wish many people could think that way. The sculptures outside are so life like. I am rally glad I made a special trip to Deadwood for this piece of history. The teepee had to go due to COVID.

Average trip. We arrived at approximately 9:30 am and made our way towards the entrance of the building. They had strict guidelines before entering, including no backpacks and no food or drink. After paying the admission fee, we proceeded to watch a short documentary about the importance of the buffalo and how the sculptures on the property were created. There were several informational plaques located inside the small museum, that detailed the history of buffalo in the area and how they almost went extinct due to over hunting. There were also several artifacts out for display as well, along with a gift shop and restrooms. After viewing the museum, we proceeded to go outside to view the sculptures. There was a walking path that took us for a loop around the sculptures. There were several informational plaques outside, that detailed how the sculptures were made and the time consuming process that it took to create them. There were also several tipis outside, which were meant to recreate how a village might have looked like.

Tip: I recommend spending an hour here if you truly want to see everything.

Don’t be fooled when you pull up to the sign! If you love Dances With Wolves, you will enjoy seeing the original costumes.
The story of the bison is a desperately sad one, and knowledge can help change the future.
The views are spectacular.

Hi, we went here and really enjoyed it. We learned the story of Tatanka and bought a few things in the gift shop as well. I thought prices were very reasonable in the gift shop.

This museum was one of the highlights of our family vacation. The Buffalo Jump sculpture was impressive. The experience was very educational on the bison and Lakota people. We found Billy, the Lakota gentleman to be extremely interesting to listen to and open to sharing his Lakota ancestry. The video about Kevin Costner was not the most interesting.

Big screen presentation narrated by Kevin Costner at the visitor center, right before the wildlife loop road

An easy drive just minutes from Deadwood.
The Bison and Indian statues were the highlight.
The rest of Titania was ok. Nice gift show, film, etc…..
12 each to get in was fair but that might be steep for large families.

Found this Museum and went inside. To the left you can see a short video on why this museum was made, worth listening to. Next inside the museum they have Native Tribal speakers to discuss the Bison. This to was very interesting

the museum has a gift shop, lunch counter and many displays. You go outside an walk the circle to see the cast Bison and Indians in action. This is worth your time to walk slowly and observe.

We had lunch at their inside lunch counter, Indian Fry Bread Taco's. Very good and interesting.

Worth the stop to learn some real history

Visited Tatanka in October of 2020; had never been there before despite having visited Hill City many times. Paid $11 to visit the museum, in retrospect it was probably worth about $3. Mediocre exhibits, a reproduction Sharps rifle, snack bar closed, the highlight of the trip was the sculptures of the Bison outside, then trace your steps back through the mandatory gift shop full of overpriced junk. Skip this one, do yourself a favor and visit the Museum of the Fur Trade 2 hours south in Chadron, Nebraska.

Great statues of Bison in the field. This center was built by Kevin Costner after making Dances With Wolves. Good history movie.

Stunning piece of sculpture, there is a small visitors centre where a local guide explains the dependence on the bison by the Native Americans prior to the bison being exterminated. All very interesting. The sculpture is in a lovely outdoor setting and a guide takes you the short walk and explains about it.
There is also a small gift shop and snack bar.

We were very impressed with this tribute to the story of the Bison. The sculptures were absolutely amazing!! We were shown the museum by a wonderful guide (Mavis) who was Lakota and very well informed of the history of the area. It was a joy to visit with her and we, again, learned much about the Native American culture and the part which the bison played in this history. Be certain to see the entire introductory video!

The scupture is well done, but the entry cost is steep for what you get. Everything in the gift shop was Kevin Costner and EXPENSIVE! The relics from the movie; Dances With Wolves were fun and interesting to look at.

This was built by Kevin Costner as a tribute to the bison and to the Native American Indians and their way of life. There is a video, exhibits and we had a talk by a very knowledgeable guide who continued his talk outside to explain the sculptures and tipi.
The scultures are amazing and so life like - not to be missed. Don't forget to turn around and take in the incredible views either. There is a small cafe and a nice gift shop.

We stopped there hoping for more. The introduction talk a women gave was very good, but other than that and the bronze statues, that was all there was. Over priced. I do have to commend Kevin Costner for his effort, but more needs to be added or lower the price.

While Kevin Costner was filming Dances With Wolf's, he fell in love with the Black Hills and the natives of the land. Wanting to share this, he created a beautiful place where the story of the Bison is told.
Billy, a Lakota tribe member and our tour guide tells the colorful history of the Lakota poeple and how the Bison influenced their lives. So many interesting facts.
Outside are many beautiful sculptures of the Bison, depicting a buffalo jump.
Also, there are many costumes from the movie on display.

I went here as part of a Globus Tour of the National Parks and am glad it was included. We had a Lakota interpreter give us a briefing on the importance of the buffalo to the Lakota people. It was very informative and interesting. After his talk we went outside to see some of the tepees and a huge bronze sculpture of several buffalo being hunted by Lakota hunters. I wished we could have seen inside the tepees but they were roped off. Also, sadly, we weren't allowed to bring bags or purses into the museum as people have in the past stolen artifacts from the museum. I had to leave my purse at a desk and took in only my cellphone and wallet. It was worth it though as the museum had so many interesting Lakota items and a very nice gift shop.

This museum does a very nice portrayal of the history of the Lakota people and their relationship to the bison. The sculptures, while depicting a disturbing part of life, are magnificent in their size and details. The museum staff was very willing to share information.

Had a two hour tour of the place. Lots of Movie items from Dances with wolves. Really liked the Native American and Buffalo sculptures.

I suggest skipping the 20 minute video of Kevin Costner’s attempt as an entrepreneur. Do go and enjoy the "Lakota Bison Jump" by local artist Peggy Detmers. Take the time to get several pictures from different angles and you will later see what your eyes missed the first time.

This is a great place to learn about the history of the Bison (American Buffalo) and the Native Americans of this area. Well put together exibets and a beautiful life size set of sculptures. Great staff and interpreter are eager to help you learn about this wonderful creature and the people who revered and respected it. Well worth the trip !

We took the guided tour of the facility and had a wonderful guide who gave us an impassioned story of the bison and how the Native Americans depended on them for survival. There are excellent displays and outside there is a sculpture of the Indians using a tactic for running bison into a "hole" where they fell and died so that the Indians could then harvest what they could from the meat and hides. Interesting that Kevin Costner started this museum after his experience with "Dances with Wolves".

This is our second time here and is wonderful. There’s a short film you definitely want to see about how Tatonka came to be. The artifacts are well displayed. The sculptures outside are amazing. The people working there were great. The presenter Phil explained about the bison and how all parts are utilized. If you love history don’t miss this.

What a fabulous story There are real artifacts of the Indians. Phil, our Indian guide was very knowledgeable about the tribes...their history and survival. The bison jump was amazing. Kevin Costner owns the area but all funds go to Indians. Thank you for doing this. .

We decided to check this out as it's in a beautiful setting and we were interested in the story of the bison. Immediately upon entry, we were hit with a $12 admission fee. We couldn't even get our bearings as to whether or not we wanted to continue in first. There is a small gift shop with the typical things you'd expect to see - absolutely nothing very unique, especially considering the numerous such shops in the Black Hills. There is a very small theater where you can watch a video of how Kevin Costner put the place together. There is also a short presentation about the bison and he various ways the Lakota utilized the animal. The large sculpture of a buffalo hunt is tucked around a corner and the view is beautiful. Overall, it's not a terrible place to visit but would never spend $12 per person for it.

Interesting video of the history of this exhibit. The sculptures are incredible and in a nice spot to tell the story. The artwork is nice. This is a kind of downsized Crazy Horse, but still worth going to if you are in the area.

Well done and lots of informative history, but disappointed in all the places we visited, this one owned by Kevin Costner...I’m sure doesn’t need to be charging admission or taking my handbag away from me.... We did watch his narrated history of the bison at the Custer state park info centre and they did not charge, and it was very good.

We really enjoyed our visit at the museum and learned a lot from the presentation given by a Lakota native named Billy. We learned a lot about the history of Bison, the Lakota traditions and way of life, and current events. I highly recommend this museum. It pays a beautiful tribute.

Everyone in our group loved stopping here. The sculptures are remarkable in the details. The movie is worth watching even though it's a little grainy.

We spent about an hour and a half here. We were lucky enough to get here in time for the presentation by a member of the Lakota tribe. He was extremely informative and interesting. We also watched a short film about how the center came into being. We walked around outside and saw the magnificent sculptures and walked thru the small interpretive center and looked at their artifacts.

You must visit Tatanka if you are in the Mt Rushmore / Crazy Horse / Deadwood area of South Dakota. It is not far off the beaten path and worth every moment you spend there. There are members of the Lakota to help understand the way of life for some of the plains Indians who hunted and subsisted on bison or American buffalo. There are many artifacts and the most unexpected sculpture on grounds. It is a life sized representation of the buffalo hunt set on a hillside. Very impressive.
We saw a full sized tipi, a sweat lodge and many beaded clothing items as well as pouches, moccasins, jewelry, utility items made of buffalo horn, bone, leather and fur.
You may expect to see a lot about the Kevin Costner movie Dances With Wolves, since he had alot to do with the existence of the center. Some of the costumes are there, but they hold the background place they should.
It is a great place to learn about the culture and habits of Lakota in the past and now. Any questions you have will be answered.

Fantastic little museum about the history of Native Americans and some artifacts from the movie Dances with Wolves. The highlight for us was the Lakota tribe memeber who gave a quick talk about the museum. The huge statue outside is beautiful and well deserve its reputation.

I thought this stop on our trip would be OK but it turned out to be marvelous. Most people come to see the 16 metal sculptures depicting the bison and the Lakota natives. But Kevin Costner did an unbelievable job at the introduction video, the museum itself and the lecturers who tell the history of the area. Our lecturer was Billy (his Americanized name) and his knowledge and passion for the history and museum was unbelievable.

Take time to make this stop. Yes, you see the costumes from Dancing With the Wolves. But there is much more to this stop.

Our family totally enjoyed our experience at Tatanka. It was very educational for the grandchildren and we enjoyed the buffalo stew. The statues are truly amazing.

I was unsure when we pulled in. There was only 1 other car in the parking lot. We paid $9.00 a person to enter. You first watch a 20 min flim about the place. It talks about the struggle Kevin Costner had building this place. Then you can walk around a small museum that really talks about the Lakota Indians. If you wish you can sit and listen to a guide. Ours was "Billy" he is a young Lakota who was raised in the "old ways" he speaks 4 languages. I could have listen to him talk for hours. He is very open on the struggles of his people. Her will speak a little on the filming of Dance with Wolves but that isn't what this place is about. But with that said they do have memorabilia from the show.
Kevin makes no profit from this place. All money goes back into the place. Once you have seen the inside you walk outside to see the beautifully done 14 large bronze statutes of the bison hunt. It is very well done, you can also see a small Lakota camp. I think in the summer they might have it "living". The only thing that would make this better would be to have live bison.
Also in the summer they have a small cafe with outside seating. Inside a small gift shop.

While this museum has costumes worn in K. Costner's iconic movie (this movie holds up even now many, many years later), the best part is all the emphasis on the role of the bison in Lakota life. Do see the sculpture outside, of the Native Americans driving bison to the animal's deaths..dramatic and frightening and worth seeing. The items collected about the Lakota in the museum are worth seeing as well so that you can learn about the real life of these people.

It was good it was nice to see, gift shop very nice--awesome bison jerky--pretty expensive if not included in trip

I am so glad that we did this activity. It was beautiful and very educational. The guide was a native American woman. Her name was Mavis Two Bulls. She was extremely friendly, polite and had a lot of knowledge. Honestly I was impressed.

So glad to find this place. It is in a lovely setting not far from Deadwood. If you are, like me, obsessed with Bison,, you will love it.
First you can watch a short film about Kevin Costner's dream to build a resort here, and how it turned out to be this place instead. Much better I think than a big hotel marring the hills. I have new respect for Kevin Costner after seeing this film and hearing his passionate and moving speech at the official opening of this place.
On display are many fascinating Native American artifacts, artwork and costumes worn by the major stars of Dances With Wolves.
Outside are the magnificent Bison Statues which are incredible and made even more fabulous by the stunning natural setting of the Black Hills around it.
The gift shop inside has some nice items.
My only complaint is about the unpleasant woman working there who had no customer service skills whatsoever and was rude, humorless and overbearing about the size of bags taken into the premises. I can understand why they have this rule, but she treated us quite like bad school children, even when we were buying items.
Beware of the grouchy woman!!

Tatanka is a very interesting little museum! We watched the movie and saw the beautiful bison hunt sculpture but the best part was the presentation. I learned so much about the Lakota and their relationship with the bison. Our guide made it personal as he is a Lakota. It would be difficult to leave the museum without wanting to research native Americans, especially their philosophy of the earth as their mother. This is all so important in our current climate (both literal climate and political climate ).

Many thanks to Kevin Costner for founding this learning center. Although the facility, in my opinion, might want to try to put more effort into more fully explaining the incredible relationship that the plains Indians had with the buffalo, (it provided their food, clothing, shelter, and tools) because in the end that was the greatest source of the anger and aggitation that led to most of the warfare between the 2 cultures. However, given the size of the center, I think they did a great job with the space that they have, and the statues of the 3 hunters and the buffalo (outside) was extremely well done and shows the skill and bravery necessary to hunt those large animals.

We stopped by to see what it was about and something to do. We had to pay an entrance fee of $24. You got to see a short video about the history of the place, which Kevin Costner started. Didnt know that.... then you were able to walk around and get a great history lesson on the Bison. Very interesting! Then we went outside see the sculptures! AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL!!!! Great views as well of the Black Hills. We were there in the off season and we were the only ones in the place. It was great! This place is privately owned and not funded by the government! It is. Great place to visit and learn more about the Bison! Definitely glad we stopped!!

We tried to go here a couple years ago but it was already closed for the season. We decided to make a detour this trip to go here and are glad we did. Billy's talk about the Lakota was exceptional. It gave us insight into things that we hadn't seen / heard elsewhere. We didn't watch the film - just listened to his talk inside and out. Well done.

We enjoyed a really informative and fascinating presentation by a member of the Lakota people about their history with the bison, how they hunted and how every single part of the bison was put to use, nothing was wasted. The life-size sculpture outside of a herd of buffalo being chased over a bluff was an amazing way of bringing to "life" what we'd just been told about. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Tatanka and left with much more knowledge and understanding than we'd had when we arrived!

From our initial informative history lesson from Bill, our Lakota speaker, to the buffalo drop and further interesting information to the gift shop, this stop was a treasure! Make it a stop on your trip!

The life-sized sculptures outside are amazing. The staff was friendly, and we really enjoyed the short film on the history of the site by Kevin Costner. Come before mid September to see it in full display.

We stopped at Tatanka, Story of the Bison and found it very impressive. We watched the short film and found it interesting. The fact that when the railroads came to the west, people shot them from the trains and almost made them extinct in a short period of time. Very sad , so I’m glad this story was told and how they have come back with the help of concerned Americans.
They are truly majestic . There was a lady at the museum who talked about how the Indian used every part of the bison to live. The fee to get in is not much . They do have a senior fee. Kevin Costner receives no money and much of it goes for the upkeep of the museum and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation which is extremely poor. We could not get to the reservation due to COVID. Drive through Custer State Park and the Badlands and enjoy the beauty of these amazing animals. Also admire the awesome sculptures in the back. Well worth the money and trip.