This is such a pretty drive and worth checking out, even if you're not planning on doing any hikes. The canyon walls look so steep and during the sunset they get pink-tinged. I saw a bunch of mountain goats right next to the highway, and it was my first time seeing them since they're supposed to be shy! Be sure to drive slow so you can catch the wildlife and also not hit any of them. Some turkeys were there and they did not have any street smarts, if you know what I mean. Bridal Veil Falls is right off the highway, and very accessible. I also checked out Devil's Bathtub, although I didn't get in since it was freezing cold! Be aware that there are about 7 or so river crossings (you basically follow the stream up) so either be good at balancing on the rocks or be prepared to get wet. read more

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway - Mountain goats - Hiking Near Me - Spearfish, South Dakota

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I'll always rate it 5 stars. I've been coming here my whole life. On this trip, One day we spent exploring the rocks under bridal veil falls and hiked the nature hike to roughlock falls and back. The next day we did Devils bathtub hike (about 1.6 miles round trip). Bring water shoes and be prepared to navigate a bit as the trail crosses the steam many times. We saw the lovely transplanted mountain goats that have been in the canyon for years now. Always a pleasure to see them. We were fortunate enough to come in June and got some cool weather to enjoy it all. Note: devils bathtub is not hot springs. lol. The canyon is super clean and facilities are all in great shape EXCEPT the vault toilets at Roughlock. They were the worst smelling things I have ever experienced. Please figure out something different. I wish I would have peed in a bush instead of going in there. Yuck! read more

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This scenic drive is filled with beautiful scenery and lots of pullouts for photos. It was a wonderful was to spend an afternoon. read more

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Spearfish Canyon is an absolutely stunning location and fantastic drive. I had the pleasure to drive through the canyon and bike some miles as well. Both were a fantastic experience that I highly recommend to anyone around the area. For the drive, the entire drive was awesome but there are convenient stops at particularly stunning areas that I recommend you stop at including Bridal Veil falls which was an excellent place to stop and read for a bit. When biking, there are decent parts of the road with a somewhat dedicated bike lane but they do go in and out. There were a decent amount of cars going well above speed limit while I was biking there so if you do decide to bike, make sure to have a helmet and other protective gear on. I cannot wait to go back! read more

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We started down Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway and stopped at Bridal Veil Falls, Spearfish Falls, and Roughlock Falls. Our second stop was Spearfish Falls (47ft). Park at the Latchstring Restaurant. On the right, you'll see the map, to the right of that, there's a small hidden platform to see the falls from the top. It just looks like a stream. To get to the bottom platform, the trail starts on the left of the restaurant. Follow the pathway. A bit steep at first. There are signs of mountain lion sightings so stay together. We spent a total of 30 mins here. It says the trail is 1.5 miles but I think that's from the trail head not from the restaurant. We had a 4 year old to 80s and we all made it. read more

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Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is a must-do if you're in the area and well worth the drive. Taking the slow roll through and looking around up along the scenery along sides of the canyon, stopping at each of the pulloff areas, and seeing the beautiful winding river that goes through it all was a great experience. Bridal Veil falls were pretty light when I was there, so there wasn't much to see, but I was able to see a few sheep along the roadway nearby. The hike to Devils Bathtub was enjoyable - an out of the way section with a trail that can become a bit of a "choose your own adventure" situation after a bit, but you'll find your way as you stay near the water. It was a fun little extra adventure on a beautiful day for a scenic drive and hike. read more

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Loved the natural landscape and amazing mountain sides. There were several waterfalls, and we were able to 3 of them. Bridal Veil Falls was visible from the road and some off-road parking spots. Spearfish Canyon Falls is located behind the lodge. Outdoor bathrooms are located just past the lodge. Not wheelchair or stroller friendly. Mild incline but not a difficult walk. Was quick and beautiful. It has a metal gate in front of the fall. Roughlock Falls is an easy trail, but be careful during winter time for ice and slippery wood. Bathrooms are at the beginning of the trail and some picnic tables. The drive into the blackhills is breathtaking. It's such an amazing place to see. read more

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A very scenic drive with a couple of short hiking trails to see the falls - Roughlock falls and spearfish falls. Roughlock is a longer and more scenic trail (unless you drive to the top of the falls on a dirt road then there'll be no need for hiking) but the falls are pretty small. Spearfish is a shorter trail but the falls are more impressive even though neither drop from a great height. You can park in the same place for both trails which is what we did - at the Roughlock trail parking lot behind the spearfish canyon lodge. If you are only going to spearfish falls the closest parking for that trailhead is at the Latchstring restaurant parking lot. read more

Great, great stop on our tour of SD. The hardest part of this place is trying to find the trail head. The parking lot on the right side of the restaurant is for the trailhead to the waterfall, but the trailhead is on the left side of the restaurant (makes more sense if you're looking at it). The restaurant DOES NOT want you traipsing through it's grass. So, stick to the sidewalk. Anyway, once you find the trailhead, it's an easy little walk down to the falls. THE BEST falls we saw in SD. Seriously they were amazing. There is a viewing stand for them and it was pretty crowded with folks, but for the most part, everyone took their pics and got out of the way. The hike back was also quite easy, even for this flat land native. If you love waterfalls, this is the one not to miss while you're in SD. read more

Gorgeous stop and worth a visit!!! There's 3 falls to go find and it's well explained on the maps. Some are a longer walk than others. Breathtaking views read more

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Really cool stop during our family trip to the Black Hills. We stopped to do the roughlock falls hike and to look at bridal veil falls. Super fun thing to do! read more

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway - Bridal Veil Falls - Hiking Near Me - Spearfish, South Dakota

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A forest fire caused our detour leading to the most amazing drive in the state. Follow the gorge and an old rail path while taking in the sites above. Summer is best since some places will be tough sledding given spots that get zero sun the entire day (an amazing phenomenon in itself). Plenty of stops along the way, all the while keep looking up because the beauty goes on for miles and miles. Many go through Deadwood first, but if you're lucky and headed East, exit I-90 at Spearfish to take 14A the back way toward Leeds to Deadwood (where there was no law for a time). Stop if you like in the touristy parts of Deadwood; for us the amazing part was the drive there. read more

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The canyon is a beautiful drive and is full of many great short hikes to waterfalls like Roughlock and Spearfish falls. The hike to the Devils Bathtub was a lot of fun if you like crossing a creek a dozen times to the pool where you can swim. You can spend all day exploring the Canyon or just drive through in under an hour. Either way it is worth the time to detour to the Canyon. read more

This byway is stunning. Being a newbie to the area, I now know there is more we could have seen and done from other reviews, but that's OK..... we loved our adventure! We had lunch at The Latchstring Restaurant (a must) and then hiked down in snow (that fell a few days ago) to Spearfish Falls. The quiet, beauty and serenity of Spearfish Falls was the best! And, the long drive thru the Black Hills Forest definitely makes this byway one you don't want to miss. Look forward to visiting again one day! read more

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Beautiful canyon with great short (AKA, easy) hikes to several waterfalls. We visited mid-January when it was snowing and it made the place so pretty and peaceful! Bridal Veil Falls was completely frozen and looked pretty cool! Devil's Bathtub was a beautiful winter wonderland of a hike with the actual Bathtub completely frozen over. Some parts of the hike were icy so we had some funny moments of slipping and tripping. Spearfish Falls was frozen and looked so incredibly powerful and majestic! It was our favorite stop of the day, hands down. Roughlock Falls was not frozen, but the hike was still pretty with lots of information panels along the way. Would totally recommend visiting in the winter for some amazing views and picturesque scenery! read more

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We took a drive to Spearfish Canyon from Custer State Park to see the foliage in October. Wow, is it beautiful! We stopped at the waterfalls along the way & took the hike in Spearfish to the waterfalls there. You can drive & park right up to them. We will be back next year & will definitely take the drive again. Along the way we stopped in Lead & Deadwood. It is so worth the fuel. read more

Beautiful drive just a short distance from Deadwood! We took some time on our Deadwood vacation to see the beautiful scenery, and I'm so glad we did. read more

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What a wonderful scenic drive through Spearfish area. Many lookouts with waterfalls and windy roads. Nice surprise and enjoyable 3 hours.

Perfect drive with the family or bike challenge or running you will see 3 waterfalls (bridal veil, spearfish falls, roughluck falls) throughout the drive right off the highway with short hikes to each of them. There are also some other scenic hikes in the middle along the way. Devils bathtub is a great scenic attraction and hike (you should wear water friendly footwear). It will cool you down on the hottest day and give you a calorie burn to boot. So much to see and do in a canyon take a day and explore you won't regret it. read more

We did it in summer and it's beautiful. One more item checked off my bucket list. Always wanted to do this run. read more

This is rated as one of the #1 things to do in Spearfish for a reason! We took this route on the way to Devil's Tower from Rapid City and again from Spearfish to CO - once in the late afternoon and once at dawn. Both times were breathtaking. Impossibly vertical cliffs and trees that stretch to the sky. If you're traveling with a friend, get them to drive so you can focus on the view ;) Be sure to stop along the way to take in the fresh air, babbling brooks, bird sounds and waterfalls. Even in February, I'd highly recommend the drive. read more

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It's a must do when visiting the Black Hills! It's a quick drive with breathtaking views! You end at Roughlock Falls which is the perfect way to end your day! Serenity at its finest! read more

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22 miles through a canyon full of beauty and adventure. There are 2 waterfalls along this drive: Roughlock falls (my favorite waterfall on this drive, see other yelp review for more detailed review), and Bridalveil falls (During the winter, this waterfall turns into a recreational opportunity for ice climbers). Spearfish falls is nearby as well. A beautiful drive any season of the year, however might it might be a little hard to drive during the winter. There will be random stops along the byway for those picture perfect moments or spontaneous self-made hiking adventures. Just a heads up, the speed limit is 35 mph, but there will be some drivers who go even slower along this road and might cause somewhat of a traffic jam. Limestone palisades, rushing creeks, historic hydropower plants, towering beautiful season color changing trees and a view of the black hills are some other attractions of this drive. Mother nature's finest are pretty much all on display on this byway. This drive is a must do if you are coming through South Dakota. read more

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway - One of the stops along this byway, roughlock falls - Hiking Near Me - Spearfish, South Dakota

Beautiful! Great views, with many great picture opportunities. I would highly recommend!

The scenic byway is great. Make sure you stop to see the falls along the way. The rock walls are stunning. Bring your camera!

This is very overrated when you think of a canyon you think of standing on top and looking down into a canyon. However, you are driving through the "canyon" and all there is are trees and rocks... nothing like and actual canyon:( very disappointed and if you are thinking about driving a while what's to get there I do not think you should waste your time with it. Just my thoughts but everyone has different opinions:) read more