Hiking to Spearfish Falls in Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota

Looking for more fun things to do in and around Spearfish?
Take a short hike to beautiful Roughlock Falls and slide down a natural waterslide at Devil’s Bathtub!

CURRENT INFO

Find more information and maps for the Spearfish Falls Trail on the AllTrails website. If you’re planning a trip to Spearfish and the Black Hills of South Dakota, I recommend the book Moon South Dakota’s Black Hills: With Mount Rushmore & Badlands National Park by Laural A. Bidwell.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Parking is free at the Spearfish Falls trailhead. You can park near the Latchstring Restaurant and across the road on the opposite side of Spearfish Lodge.
• This hike pairs well with a hike to nearby Roughlock Falls. The one-mile trail to Roughlock Falls begins near Spearfish Lodge.
• Vault toilets are available at the trailhead.
• Leashed pets are allowed on the trail.
• Bring water, shade hats, and sunscreen on sunny days. The trail is mostly shady, but there are some open areas.
• Always follow Leave No Trace principles.

HIGHLIGHTS

Spearfish Falls is undeniably lovely, but so is the trail to reach it. The tree-filled canyon is a joy to experience, and on our visit in July, wildflowers added to its beauty. It’s a short, easy trail, but take your time at the waterfall to soak it all in.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

Fortified with lunch at the Latchstring Restaurant, our kids were ready to hit the trail. At least, they were ready for a short trail like this one! The path is easy to follow, and kids will be wowed by delicate Spearfish Falls surrounded by pools of clear water.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

Spearfish Canyon is a lush green oasis filled with waterfalls tumbling over red rock cliffs. Plan to spend a day here if you can. On the opposite side of Spearfish Canyon Lodge, take a short hike to Roughlock Falls. The Latchstring Restaurant, located near the Spearfish Falls trailhead, provides a taste of rustic elegance in the heart of the canyon. For a little excitement, hike to Devil’s Bathtub, an adventurous trail leading to a natural waterslide.

To explore more of the area, consider camping overnight. We stayed in town at the Spearfish City Campground, a lovely place near the DC Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery and the city park. Spearfish is a great town with beautiful parks, restaurants, and ice cream (a trip to Leone’s Creamery is a must!).

After a satisfying lunch at the Latchstring Restaurant, we were ready to hit the trail to Spearfish Falls. Not that it takes much of a hike to reach the waterfall; the path to Spearfish Falls is wide and well-kept. The first part of the trail follows a series of moderately sloped switchbacks deeper into the canyon. It’s not too steep, but if you need a breather there are a few strategically placed benches along the way.

It wasn’t long before we reached the bottom of the switchbacks. The trail flattened out, and a proliferation of wildflowers waved in the gentle breeze. July was evidently peak season for blooms.

The trail soon crossed Spearfish Creek, where the water frothed as it tumbled over the shallow rocky streambed. With the cliffs of Spearfish Canyon as a backdrop, it was a beautiful scene.

After crossing Spearfish Creek, the path led into the woods. I couldn’t get over how lush this area was. At home in the Pacific Northwest, a lack of summer rain often leaves plants that are exposed to the sun brittle and dry come July. Here in South Dakota, the foliage was a brilliant green thanks to summer thunderstorms.

Before long, we heard the sound of rushing water and Spearfish Falls came into view. This marks the end of the trail, where a spacious wooden platform gives visitors plenty of room to admire the waterfall. I wondered if this place is sometimes crowded, but on our visit we saw only a few other people on the entire trail.

We took our time to enjoy the different vantage points of the falls before heading back up the trail. Short though it may be, the hike to Spearfish Falls is a beauty, and well worth a stop on any visit to Spearfish Canyon.