Spearfish is a small town in western South Dakota. Spearfish is a great place to stop on a road trip though South Dakota or Wyoming because it is close to many popular attractions in SD and WY. For example, Spearfish is pretty close to Deadwood SD (20 minute drive), Keystone SD area attractions (1 hour and 20 minute drive), the WY border (15 minute drive) and Devils Tower WY (1 hour drive).
The best thing to do in Spearfish is to drive the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway! The Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is a 19 mile long route that travels through the incredibly beautiful Spearfish Canyon… and it really is a scenic byway! As you travel along the route, you will see that there is a lot to see and explore. There are scenic pull-offs, gulches, hiking trails and more! However, my favorite experience on the Spearfish Scenic Canyon Byway was seeing the waterfalls. If you are driving the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, here are the 3 waterfalls you need to see!
1. Bridal Veil Falls
If you are driving the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway from north to south, the first waterfall you will encounter is the Bridal Veil Falls. Bridal Veil Falls is located approximately 6 miles south of the northern start to the Byway. As you approach Bridal Veil Falls, there is a parking lot for visitors on the right side of the road. The falls are located on the left side of the road so you will have to cross the street after parking in order to see the falls. There is a large observation platform on the left side of the road where you can take in the amazing views of this 60 foot waterfall as it flows over the canyon. If you are feeling adventurous, you can leave the platform and hike down to the bottom of the falls for a closer view. If you are lucky, you may also see some wildlife in the area. On my visit, I saw a mountain goat near the visitor’s parking lot!
2. Roughlock Falls
After Bridal Veil Falls, the next waterfall you will encounter on the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is Roughlock Falls. Roughlock Falls is approximately 7.5 miles from Bridal Veil Falls. When you get to the Roughlock Falls pull-off, you have two options. The first option is to park near the pull-off and then take a 1 mile long trail (one way) to the falls. The trail is easy difficulty and follows along Little Spearfish Creek up to Roughlock Falls. The second option is to continue driving another mile past the pull-off down a gravel road. After driving down the gravel road, you will find additional parking and then it is just a quick walk to the falls. There are several overlook platforms at this stop so you can see multiple viewpoints of the falls and the creek. There are also amenities at this stop including picnic tables and restroom facilities so it’s a great place to take a lunch break if needed.
3. Spearfish Falls
The final waterfall that you need to see in Spearfish Canyon is Spearfish Falls! Of the three waterfalls, Spearfish Falls was my favorite. Similar to Roughlock Falls, Spearfish Falls can be viewed from an observation deck at the top of the falls or by taking a short hike to the bottom of the falls. If you want to view the falls from the overlook, head to the right of The Latchstring Restaurant to find the observation platform. I found the view of Spearfish Falls to be pretty obstructed from this observation deck. Therefore, I would highly recommend taking the trail down to Spearfish Falls for better views. The Spearfish Falls trail is located on the left side of the Latchstring restaurant. The trail is 1.5 miles (roundtrip), easy/moderate difficulty and is a really pretty nature walk. When you get to the end of the trail, there is an observation deck which offers great views of the falls. There are also several benches near the bottom of the falls where you can take in the scenery or take a quick break before hiking back up to the trailhead.
Note on Spearfish Falls Parking:
Spearfish Falls is very close to Roughlock Falls. It is just a 0.2 mile drive from the Roughlock Falls Trailhead (where you park if you take option one and Roughlock Falls and do not go down the gravel path). Unfortunately, unlike Bridal Veil Falls and Roughlock Falls, there is very limited parking for these falls. Since parking for the Roughlock Falls trailhead is so close, I would suggest leaving your car parked at the Roughlock Falls trailhead and walking to Spearfish Falls from that point. On the walk from the Roughlock Falls trailhead, you will pass Spearfish Canyon Lodge on your right side. As you keep walking, you will see the Latchstring restaurant across the street. There is parking for Spearfish Falls in the Latchstring restaurant parking lot. However, there are only three spots for hikers and the rest are marked as being for restaurant guests only.
Tips for Visiting the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway:
- Since the byway is only 19 miles, you could easily drive it in a half hour without stops. However, you will want to make stops along the way! So definitely plan on spending at least a few hours here.
- Spearfish is a great place to visit in SD if traveling with pets. All of the trails in Spearfish Canyon are dog-friendly! Just remember to leash your dogs on the trails.
- If you have additional time in Spearfish Canyon, another stop to consider is the Devil’s Bathtub. This is one of the most popular hikes off the byway. However, it was not my favorite. When I visited, the trail was extremely crowded. Additionally, you have to cross a stream several times and the path is very slick and slippery. If you are going to hike the Devil’s Bathtub, try to go as early as possible to avoid crowds. Also make sure to bring waterproof shoes and clothing!
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