Spearfish Canyon

Spearfish Canyon is one of the most beautiful drives in the Black Hills — a deep limestone gorge in the northern Black Hills of South Dakota, where Spearfish Creek winds beneath towering walls of pale rock cloaked in pine, spruce, birch and aspen. A National Forest Scenic Byway follows the canyon for about 20 miles, past dramatic cliffs, three lovely waterfalls and lush streamside forest.

The canyon is famous for its blazing autumn color, when the birches and aspens turn gold against the dark evergreens and pale limestone, and for its waterfalls — Bridal Veil, Spearfish and Roughlock Falls. Trout fishing, hiking, and side canyons add to its appeal, and scenes from the film Dances with Wolves were shot here. A scenic gorge of cliffs, waterfalls and forest, Spearfish Canyon is a treasured natural icon of South Dakota.

The Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is the great experience, winding past cliffs, waterfalls and forest with pullouts and trailheads, while visitors hike to the falls (Roughlock, Spearfish and Bridal Veil) and up side canyons (like the popular climb to ‘76 Mountain’ or the Devil’s Bathtub), fish for trout in Spearfish Creek, and enjoy fall-color drives, picnicking and a historic lodge. Driving the byway, hiking to the waterfalls and viewing the fall color are the signature draws. The combination of a limestone gorge, waterfalls and brilliant autumn color makes Spearfish Canyon a beloved scenic destination.

Autumn (late September into October) is legendary in Spearfish Canyon, when the birches and aspens blaze gold against the limestone and evergreens — one of the great fall-color spectacles of the region — while spring brings the fullest waterfalls and fresh green, and summer offers lush forest and cool streamside hiking. Winter is quiet and snowy, with frozen falls. The waterfalls are fullest in spring; the foliage peaks in fall. Fall for the legendary color and spring for the fullest falls are the highlights — come on a clear autumn day for the canyon at its finest.

The Black Hills, including Spearfish Canyon, are sacred to the Lakota people. The canyon was shaped by Spearfish Creek and later by railroads and a hydroelectric project that diverts some of the creek’s water. Its beauty made it a beloved scenic drive and a National Forest Scenic Byway, and its snowy forests stood in for the closing scenes of the film Dances with Wolves. The historic Spearfish Canyon Lodge anchors the canyon. Spearfish Canyon preserves this beautiful limestone gorge, its waterfalls and forests, a treasured icon of South Dakota.

Spearfish Canyon is a deep gorge cut by Spearfish Creek through the thick, pale limestone of the northern Black Hills — rock formed in ancient seas — creating sheer walls up to 1,000 feet high, the deepest and one of the most dramatic canyons in the Hills. The creek and its tributaries drop over harder rock layers to form the canyon’s waterfalls. The limestone, laid down in ancient seas and then cut by the down-carving creek as the Black Hills rose, created this dramatic gorge and its falls.

The canyon’s forests and cliffs host mule and white-tailed deer, mountain goats on the limestone walls, mountain lions, porcupines, and a variety of birds including American dippers along the creek, raptors on the cliffs and forest songbirds, while Spearfish Creek holds trout. The mix of cliff, streamside forest and side canyons supports varied wildlife. Spearfish Canyon offers wildlife watching amid its scenic beauty, with mountain goats on the cliffs and dippers along the rushing creek among the highlights.

Spearfish Canyon shelters a lush forest ecosystem unusual for the region — the cool, moist, shaded gorge supports birch, aspen and even relict stands of spruce alongside pine, with ferns and wildflowers and the trout-bearing Spearfish Creek, creating a rich streamside and canyon habitat. The diversion of creek water for hydropower affects flows. The cool gorge microclimate, the creek and the forest form a sensitive system. Protecting the creek’s water, the streamside forest and the canyon walls sustains both the ecology and the scenic beauty of Spearfish Canyon.

Spearfish Canyon holds a treasured place among the icons of South Dakota — a stunning limestone gorge of cliffs, waterfalls and blazing autumn color in the northern Black Hills, beloved as one of the region’s great scenic drives and known from the film Dances with Wolves, set in the Black Hills sacred to the Lakota. Its beauty in every season, especially fall, embodies the lush side of the Black Hills. Spearfish Canyon is a cherished natural icon of South Dakota.

Spearfish Canyon is in the northern Black Hills of South Dakota, with the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway (U.S. 14A) running about 20 miles between the town of Spearfish (off Interstate 90) and the village of Cheyenne Crossing/Savoy, about 45 minutes from Rapid City or Deadwood. There is no entrance fee for the byway. Trailheads, waterfalls (Roughlock, Spearfish, Bridal Veil), pullouts and the historic lodge lie along the route. Roads can be icy in winter. Check the Black Hills National Forest for trail info, conditions and any fees at developed sites before visiting.

The Black Hills National Forest protects Spearfish Canyon and its scenic byway. Visitors help by staying on trails to protect the streamside forest and fragile slopes, protecting Spearfish Creek’s water and trout, not disturbing wildlife including the mountain goats and dippers, packing out everything, preventing wildfire, parking only in pullouts and designated areas, and following all rules. The creek, the lush gorge forest and the cliffs are sensitive. Protecting the creek, the forest and the canyon walls sustains both the ecology and the scenic beauty of Spearfish Canyon.

Hiking trails to the falls and up side canyons (like the Devil’s Bathtub) can be steep, rocky, wet and slippery, with stream crossings — wear sturdy footwear, watch your footing near the waterfalls and creek, and keep back from cliff edges and the tops of the falls. The byway is winding (drive carefully and use pullouts), and weather brings summer storms and winter ice. Keep a safe distance from mountain goats. Flash flooding is possible in side canyons. Respect the slippery trails, the cliff edges, the winding road and the weather.

There is no fee for the scenic byway (some developed sites may charge). Stay on trails; do not damage the streamside vegetation or disturb wildlife. Park only in pullouts and designated areas, not blocking the road. Camp only in designated campgrounds or per forest rules. Pets must be leashed. Drones are restricted. Fishing requires a South Dakota license. Prevent wildfire; follow fire restrictions. Pack out all trash. Check the Black Hills National Forest for trail conditions, site fees and current rules before visiting.

The town of Spearfish at the canyon’s mouth, the historic mining towns of Deadwood and Lead, the village of Savoy with its lodge, the rest of the northern Black Hills, and Wyoming’s Devils Tower to the west lie near the canyon. The northern Black Hills define the region. Spearfish Canyon anchors the scenic northern Black Hills, a centerpiece of a South Dakota adventure, easily combined with Deadwood, Lead, the town of Spearfish and a side trip to Devils Tower in Wyoming.

Drive the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway slowly, stopping at the waterfalls — the easy Roughlock Falls, Spearfish Falls and Bridal Veil Falls — and come in late September or October for the legendary golden fall color (or spring for the fullest falls). For a memorable hike, try the side canyon to the Devil’s Bathtub (wear shoes that can get wet). Use the pullouts on the winding road, watch for mountain goats on the cliffs, and combine your visit with historic Deadwood and a trip to Devils Tower.