Hiking the Spearfish Falls Trail in Spearfish Canyon of the Black Hills, South Dakota
Distance: 0.8 miles / 1.3 km
The Spearfish Falls Trail in Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota is a short and easy day hike off the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway that leads hikers to what is arguably the most beautiful waterfall in South Dakota!
The trail begins near the popular Savoy Junction near the Spearfish Canyon Lodge, where it leads hikers down a beautiful path along Spearfish Creek, ultimately ending at the stunning 47-ft. (14.3 m) waterfall.
Now, all this goes without saying that the Spearfish Falls Trail is the single-most popular day hike in Spearfish Canyon, which is why I recommend arriving early in the morning to not only will you find parking more easily, but early light is also the best time of day for photos at the waterfall!
Spearfish Falls Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Spearfish Falls Trail is located outside the Latchstring Restaurant, across the street from Spearfish Canyon Lodge, or if that is full, hikers may need to find parking at the Roughlock Falls Trailhead, just to the south of the 76 Trail.
Google Maps Directions: Spearfish Falls Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - South Dakota
According to the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) and the U.S. Forest Service, there are Black Bears in South Dakota, but encounters are considerably rare.
That said, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in South Dakota.
Hiking the Spearfish Falls Trail
The Spearfish Falls Trail begins on the paved path that heads north from the Latchstring Restaurant along Highway 14A.
Spearfish Falls Trailhead
When the paved path ends, the Spearfish Falls Trail officially begins, where it will descend 4 gradual switchbacks down to Spearfish Creek.
During the colder off-season months, poles and micro-spikes may be necessary to hike the Spearfish Falls Trail safely.
After the initial 4 switchbacks, the Spearfish Falls Trail levels out and stays flat for the rest of the hike to the waterfall.
Spearfish Creek
This bridge across Spearfish Creek is roughly the halfway point between the trailhead and Spearfish Falls.
How to Time the Best Colors in Spearfish Canyon?
If you’re wondering how to time the fall colors in Spearfish Canyon, a general rule of thumb is the last week of September and the first week of October, with a few days on either side of October 1st being the best.
That said, this really is just an average, and to know for sure, there are at least two sources I recommend checking.
The first is the national fall foliage map linked below, but there is also a more up-to-date color report specifically for Spearfish Canyon that is the best and most accurate source.
This is why, if you already have a trip planned to western South Dakota around this time of year, I recommend checking the Spearfish Canyon Report daily, with the intention of making it a last-second day trip, so that you don’t miss the best of the colors!
Explore Fall: Fall Foliage Map
Visit Spearfish: Spearfish Canyon Color Report
Just a few steps before Spearfish Falls, the trail splits into a short loop, with either path leading to the waterfall.
That said, I chose to go right along Spearfish Creek.
Spearfish Falls
The short 0.4-mile (0.6 km) one-way trail ends at this beautiful overlook next to Spearfish Falls, a place that I think bears a striking resemblance to a few of the waterfalls off the Havasupai Trail in Arizona.
In any case, catching peak fall foliage at Spearfish Falls and across Spearfish Canyon was truly a spectacular experience, and it’s something I highly recommend if you have the flexibility to choose when you plan to visit the Black Hills in South Dakota!
South Dakota
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