Deep but narrow gorge carved by Spearfish Creek located within the Black Hills
General Information
From Rapid City (53 miles): Take I-90 W to SD-34 W/SD-79 S/I-90BL/Lazelle St in Sturgis. Take exit 30 from I-90 W. Follow US-14A W to Fairview Ave in Lead. Drive to US-14A W/US-85 S
Overview
Spearfish Canyon is a deep but narrow gorge carved by Spearfish Creek located in Lawrence County, South Dakota, U.S., just south of Spearfish. The canyon is located within the Black Hills, located on the northern edge of the Black Hills National Forest. The Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway travels through the Canyon from Spearfish to Cheyenne Crossing along U.S. Route 14A. The highway follows an old railroad grade that was abandoned after massive flooding in 1933.
Things to Do
Drive Through One of the Most Scenic Canyons in the Black Hills
Spearfish Canyon is a spectacular scenic byway and natural area located in the northern Black Hills of South Dakota. Carved by Spearfish Creek, the canyon stretches for approximately 22 miles and is renowned for its towering limestone cliffs, lush forests, waterfalls, wildlife, and breathtaking scenery. Designated as a National Scenic Byway, it is one of the most visited natural attractions in the Black Hills region.
Visit the Canyon's Famous Waterfalls
Spearfish Canyon is home to several beautiful waterfalls. Bridal Veil Falls, one of the most photographed waterfalls in South Dakota, cascades approximately 60 feet beside the scenic byway. Nearby Roughlock Falls and Spearfish Falls offer additional opportunities to experience the canyon's flowing waters, dramatic rock formations, and peaceful forest settings.
Enjoy Scenic Drives and Photography
The Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway winds through narrow canyon walls that rise more than 1,000 feet above the roadway in some locations. Visitors enjoy exceptional photography opportunities throughout the year, particularly during autumn when vibrant fall colors transform the canyon into one of the most beautiful destinations in the Midwest.
Observe Wildlife and Forest Habitats
The canyon supports a diverse variety of wildlife, including deer, wild turkeys, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, foxes, and numerous bird species. Dense forests of spruce, pine, aspen, and birch create habitats that contrast dramatically with the surrounding Black Hills landscape.
Discover Geology and Natural History
The canyon's limestone cliffs and rock formations reveal millions of years of geological history. Visitors can observe striking canyon walls, stream-carved valleys, and exposed rock layers while learning about the forces that shaped the Black Hills region.
Top Trails
Roughlock Falls Trail
Length: Approximately 1 mile round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
This accessible boardwalk and trail system leads to the beautiful Roughlock Falls, where water cascades through a series of rocky ledges surrounded by forest vegetation. It is one of the most popular short hikes in the canyon.
Devil's Bathtub Trail
Length: Approximately 1.6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate
One of the area's most popular hikes, this trail follows a creek through a narrow canyon and features numerous stream crossings before reaching a natural pool known as the Devil's Bathtub. The route offers beautiful scenery and a fun adventure through the canyon environment.
Spearfish Falls Trail
Length: Approximately 1 mile round trip
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
This short trail descends through a forested canyon to Spearfish Falls, a picturesque waterfall that drops into a scenic limestone gorge. The route is especially attractive during spring runoff and fall foliage season.
Little Spearfish Trail
Length: Approximately 5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate
Following portions of Little Spearfish Creek, this trail offers peaceful forest scenery, stream views, wildlife observation opportunities, and access to less-crowded sections of the canyon.
Sources: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks and Black Hills tourism information regarding Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, Roughlock Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Spearfish Falls, hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and scenic attractions. https://www.travelsouthdakota.com and https://www.blackhillsbadlands.com
Additional information verified through U.S. Forest Service Black Hills National Forest resources covering Devil's Bathtub Trail, Little Spearfish Trail, canyon geology, recreational opportunities, and visitor amenities throughout Spearfish Canyon.
Approximately 600 million years ago in the Precambrian, the area was covered by a sea. As waters subsided and land masses began to appear 60 to 30 million years ago (between the Paleocene and Oligocene epochs), drainages such as Spearfish Canyon formed as softer rock was eroded away. Today, a National Scenic Byway, U.S. Highway 14A, winds through the canyon. This area is truly a crossroads, and trees and plants from Rocky Mountains, eastern woodlands, northern forests, and the Great Plains areas can be found here.
Of the 1,585 plant species found in South Dakota, 1,260 species are in the Black Hills, many of which can be found in Spearfish Canyon. Ponderosa pines are the most prominent vegetation in the Black Hills. As for bird species, turkeys, bluejays, woodpeckers, cliff swallows, chickadees, and golden or bald eagles are seen in the area. The canyon supports a cross-section of four-footed animal life. White-tail and mule deer can be found throughout the drive. Porcupines, raccoons, squirrels, and chipmunks might be spotted as well as a bobcat or a yellow-bellied marmot.
It is often studied by geologists due to the extreme old age of the Precambrian rocks exposed by the creek bed. The canyon's high walls are of three dominant rock types. The Cambrian to Ordovician Deadwood Shale at the bottom lies on an unconformity above Precambrian rock and can be identified by its brown color. It is multi-layered in appearance and ranges from 10 to 400 feet thick. Englewood Limestone in the middle is pink to red colored and is 30 to 60 feet thick. The Paleogene Paha Sapa Limestone, the top layer, is the thickest (300 to 600 feet) and is buff-colored and weathered gray in appearance. Caves and fossils are frequently found in the Paha Sapa Limestone.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Spearfish Canyon", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0
