The Story
In 1981 the City of Sturgis, alarmed by record crowds, banned motorcycle camping in City Park. Rather than see the rally lose its gathering ground, Rod "Woody" Woodruff opened the Buffalo Chip campground on open land east of town — naming it for the prairie slang for dried bison dung. The first full entertainment season came in 1982 with Johnny Paycheck headlining. It grew into the self-proclaimed "Best Party Anywhere," now sprawling across roughly 600 acres with more than 25 bars and multiple stages, effectively absorbing the entertainment role City Park had played for the rally's first four decades.
Surprising Facts
→ It was founded in direct response to Sturgis banning motorcycle camping in City Park in 1981.
→ The name plays on "buffalo chip," old ranching slang for dried bison dung used as prairie fuel.
→ The property has grown to roughly 600 acres, larger than many small towns.