Best Black Hills Drives: Spearfish Canyon Day Trip
- Eric Beuning
- Apr 28
- 6 min read
Spearfish Canyon is one of the Black Hills' biggest secret gems. I honestly admit I didn’t know it was there until my fifth time visiting the area. It’s hidden in between the more well-known towns of Lead and Spearfish. I love to plan a visit in the middle of a Black Hills vacation as it's a great way to get away from the crowds while getting a little bit back to nature.
Touring Spearfish Canyon is the sort of thing you can drive yourself or enjoy on an expertly guided tour. I've done both over the years and I honestly think each is a great option.
How to Get to Spearfish Canyon?
I think it’s best to experience Spearfish Canyon from the town of Savoy, which is just outside of Lead and half an hour or so west of Deadwood on Highway 14A. The mountain roads to get there have some twists, turns, and dramatic changes in elevation.
Yet once you get to Savoy you can pretty much coast down the canyon stopping where you want down to Spearfish. You barely have to accelerate this way. Just remember not to ride the brakes.
How Long Does It Take to Drive Spearfish Canyon?
Driving Spearfish Canyon can be done in roughly two hours with short stops. If you want to take a hike to Community Caves or the trails around Rough Lock Falls, you could easily spend four hours if not a whole day.
What Are The Best Things to See and Do In Spearfish Canyon?
Savoy and the Spearfish Canyon Lodge are sort of the unofficial start of Spearfish Canyon. These are the last good bathrooms you’ll find until the town of Spearfish on I-90.
Roughlock Falls
Just a little west of Savoy and Spearfish Canyon Lodge is Roughlock Falls Road. If you want a hike, the trailhead starts right behind Spearfish Canyon Lodge. Otherwise, you can drive a half mile or so to a parking area with pit toilets near the falls themselves.
Secret Gem: Early morning light gives the falls a soft, magical glow perfect for photos. If you’re staying at Spearfish Canyon Lodge or one of the nearby properties, getting up early to catch this visual is absolutely worth it.
Dances with Wolves Film Spot
If you’re a fan of Dances with Wolves, just a little bit up the road from Roughlock Falls is where they filmed the winter camp scene. I’m a Kevin Costner fan and I found it underwhelming.
Spearfish Falls
Just a few minutes away, Spearfish Falls is quietly tucked behind the Latchstring Restaurant in Savoy. A gentle loop trail leads you down into the canyon where you’ll find the powerful falls tucked into a lush, green nook.
Secret Gem: This is another great early morning experience. After touring Roughlock Falls, grab a coffee at Latchstring and hike down to Spearfish Falls. They’re typically happy to let you park there longer if you’re a customer.
11th Hour Gulch
A little-known gem, 11th Hour Gulch is a narrow slot canyon hidden between towering walls. It’s a quick scramble and perfect for adventurous travelers looking for a unique hiking photo-op.
Pro Tip: Look for the small pullout just north of the Savoy area. It’s unmarked, with parking on the right, but 11th Hour Gulch is on the left. So, watch closely! It is literally a “Blink and You’ll Miss It” spot.
Bridal Veil Falls
As you continue north, Bridal Veil Falls is one of the easiest spots to visit in Spearfish Canyon. It’s a 60-foot waterfall that’s visible right from the road with a dedicated pull-off for viewing.
However, the best parking is on the left and you’re coming down on the right, and there’s usually a lot of slow traffic. I did the worst job of parallel parking in the history of public road safety the last time I was there.
Bridal Veil Falls is most impressive after a decent rainy spell. The last time I was there with my daughter it had just rained that morning and we were able to watch the water in the falls gradually increase as the rainwater drained down from the surrounding rock.
Devil’s Bathtub
Devil’s Bathtub is a hidden gem nestled within Spearfish Canyon that requires a short yet adventurous hike to a natural waterslide and swimming hole. The trailhead is located about a hundred yards south of the Homestake Mining Club.
There’s a sprawled-out parking area, that also makes for a nice picnic spot. The start of the trailhead is situated near mile marker 28, adjacent to a historic hydroelectric plant.
NOTE: The 1.6-mile out-and-back trail is moderately challenging, featuring multiple shallow stream crossings and sections where hikers navigate over large rocks. The terrain can be slippery and uneven, making sturdy, waterproof footwear essential. This is more of a water socks or waterproof boots type of hike, and I’ve seen people in flip-flops regret their choice of footwear.
When you get there, the Devil’s Bathtub is a smooth, rock-formed waterslide that empties into a clear, cold pool. This natural feature is especially popular in July and August when the weather is hot months. It’s a nice refreshing break and a bit of a thrill for those willing to take the plunge.
Community Caves Trail
Just before you reach the town of Spearfish, you’ll find the trailhead for the Community Caves hike. It’s a short but steep climb leading to a hidden cave and frozen waterfalls in winter. It’s a true “locals' secret” and offers incredible views back down the canyon.
Hiking Tip
Community Caves Trail is the most dangerous to hike and most visually stunning shortly after a rainstorm. The water coming down from the top invigorates the waterfall, which can sometimes dry up in the summer months. However, rain can make sections of the hike unpredictably slippery.
I think two tours do a good job of showcasing the sights of Spearfish Canyon, which is handy since many of the canyon’s special gems are easy to drive past. And while the canyon isn’t hard to drive, you have to keep your eyes on the road, and the driver ends up feeling like they missed out on things.
The Rapid City to Private Spearfish Canyon Tour is the most immersive tour of the Canyon. If this is a once-in-a-lifetime visit, this tour will leave no stone unturned. I appreciated how the guide pointed out the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it attractions like 11th Hour Gulch. However, this tour might not be ideal, if you want to take a long hike on any of Spearfish Canyon’s secret gems.
This Black Hills, Deadwood, and Lead Day Tour is also a great option for getting a taste of Spearfish Canyon, while also getting an immersive Deadwood and Lead experience. I did it once on a travel junket and I was blown away by the guide’s deep knowledge of the area’s history.
I came away with an appreciation of Deadwood that was much more than just the glitzy tourist experience it offers at first glance. However, it’s not the most immersive Spearfish Canyon tour.
Final Thoughts: Spearfish Canyon Scenic Drive
Spearfish Canyon doesn’t get a lot of marketing attention thrown its way, which is a shame since it’s one of the Black Hill’s hidden gems. Yet that also means you can enjoy it without the tourist crowds of other major attractions.
On my last two family vacations to the Black Hills, I planned Spearfish as one of our quiet days. It gave us a break from the throngs of people at Mount Rushmore, Keystone, and Crazy Horse, and let us get back to nature.
If you stay in Lead, Deadwood, or Spearfish Canyon Lodge, you could even get up early to catch sunrise at Roughlock Falls. Then take a leisurely tour down the canyon and pop over to see Devil’s Tower. If you're not comfortable with this level of mountain driving, a private tour of Spearfish Canyon is also a great experience.
The canyon ends at the town of Spearfish, which is a great place to pick up snacks and drinks. Then you can catch Interstate 90 back to Deadwood, or Rapid City. If you have 3 or 4 hours left in your day, you could even take a short trip to Devil's Tower.
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