Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
19-Mile National Forest Scenic Byway Through the Black Hills — Roughlock Falls and Spearfish Falls, Towering Limestone Cliffs, Spearfish Canyon Nature Area With Hiking and Fishing, Spectacular Fall Foliage, Black Hills National Forest, US Highway 14A Between Spearfish and Cheyenne Crossing South Dakota
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is a 19-mile National Forest Scenic Byway along US Highway 14A between Spearfish and Cheyenne Crossing in the Black Hills, South Dakota. The route features towering thousand-foot limestone canyon walls, Roughlock Falls — a wide cascading waterfall with an accessible boardwalk trail, Spearfish Falls — a dramatic 60-foot drop visible from a short hiking trail, the Spearfish Canyon Nature Area managed by South Dakota Game Fish and Parks, fly fishing access on Spearfish Creek for brown and rainbow trout, spectacular fall foliage rivaling New England in late September and early October, the historic Spearfish Canyon Lodge for dining and lodging, multiple pulloffs and scenic overlooks along the drive, and hiking trails ranging from easy waterfall walks to strenuous canyon rim routes.
Spearfish Canyon is one of the most scenic drives in the American West — the 19-mile route cuts through thousand-foot limestone walls draped with spruce, birch, and aspen. In late September and early October, the canyon explodes in gold, orange, and crimson fall color rivaling anything in New England or the Blue Ridge.
Things to See and Do
- Roughlock Falls — cascading waterfall, accessible boardwalk
- Spearfish Falls — 60-ft drop, short hiking trail
- Scenic drive — 19 mi through limestone canyon
- Fly fishing — Spearfish Creek: brown + rainbow trout
- Fall foliage — late Sept/early Oct, spectacular
- Hiking — waterfall walks to canyon rim trails
Byway Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Route | US Hwy 14A — Spearfish to Cheyenne Crossing |
| Length | 19 miles |
| Canyon Walls | ~1,000 ft limestone |
| Key Falls | Roughlock Falls, Spearfish Falls (60 ft) |
| Fishing | Spearfish Creek — brown + rainbow trout |
| Best Season | Fall foliage: late Sept – early Oct |
| Managed By | USFS (Black Hills NF) + SD GFP |
| Coordinates | 44.3833° N, 103.8500° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Spearfish Canyon — a 20-mile limestone canyon in the Black Hills. The canyon’s limestone walls, waterfalls, and spruce-birch forest support mountain goats, white-tailed deer, and American dippers. Bridal Veil Falls and Roughlock Falls are highlights. Scenes from “Dances with Wolves” were filmed here.
Nearby Attractions
Spearfish — at the canyon mouth. Deadwood — 10 miles southeast — legendary Wild West town (Wild Bill Hickok killed here 1876). Lead — adjacent — site of the Homestake Gold Mine (one of the deepest gold mines in the Western Hemisphere).
Where are the waterfalls in Spearfish Canyon?
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway on US Highway 14A in South Dakota’s Black Hills features two major waterfalls. Roughlock Falls is a wide cascading waterfall accessible via a boardwalk trail in the Spearfish Canyon Nature Area. Spearfish Falls is a dramatic 60-foot drop reached by a short hiking trail. Both are located within the 19-mile scenic drive between Spearfish and Cheyenne Crossing, known for thousand-foot limestone canyon walls and spectacular fall foliage in late September and early October. The Nature Area is managed by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.
Last updated: May 2026
