Spearfish

Without question. The breathtaking limestone palisades of this creek-carved gorge are more ancient than the Grand Canyon, albeit much closer together. Once accessible only by horseback, Spearfish Canyon's narrow, 1,000-foot walls are among the most spectacular scenery in the Black Hills. The Canyon is a 19-mile stretch of scenic highway engulfed in beautiful scenery, wildlife, streams, and waterfalls. It's free to drive, accessible year-round, and consistently surprises visitors who weren't expecting it to be quite so dramatic.

If you're just driving with a few short stops, plan about 1.5 to 3 hours for the trip. The three waterfalls are the highlights most visitors come for. Bridal Veil Falls cascades approximately 60 feet and is the most accessible waterfall in the canyon, flowing intensely in the spring and slowing considerably in late summer. Roughlock Falls is widely considered the crown jewel. It has a peaceful approach, the sound of water stays with you, and the setting feels almost surreal. Spearfish Falls, a 47-foot drop reached by a short 1.5-mile round-trip hike, rounds out the trio nicely.

Every season has something to offer, but summer and fall are especially popular; summer for lush greenery and waterfalls, fall for vibrant foliage. Every September and early October, visitors from around the world come to experience the fall splendor of Spearfish Canyon, when high limestone cliffs, waterfalls, aspens, birches, and box elders perfectly frame this creek-carved gorge. Winter has its own quiet appeal, the frozen waterfalls and snow-draped canyon walls are stunning, though some roads near Roughlock Falls close seasonally for snowmobile access.

Located in the northern Black Hills between Mount Rushmore and Devils Tower, Spearfish gives you easy access to miles of easy, moderate, and strenuous walking, hiking, and biking trails. The Spearfish Canyon area also boasts some of the best fly-fishing opportunities in all of South Dakota, with multiple pools and rapids along Spearfish Creek. In town, the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery, the High Plains Western Heritage Center, and the one-of-a-kind Termesphere Gallery, where an artist creates mind-bending paintings on spherical canvases, are all worth a stop. The downtown area has fun local shops, a lively local restaurant scene, and a selection of breweries.

It's one of the best in the region. Spearfish is located between Devils Tower and Mount Rushmore, putting you within easy reach of two iconic landmarks in opposite directions. Deadwood and Lead are just 20 minutes away, Sturgis is about the same, and the Badlands are a straightforward drive east on I-90. Spearfish Canyon is only about 20 miles from Sturgis, making it a natural day trip for anyone staying in the northern hills. The town itself has solid lodging, good food, and a relaxed pace that feels a world away from the more crowded tourist corridors further south.