Little Spearfish Trail

The Little Spearfish Trail is a 7-mile loop in the upper reaches of Spearfish Canyon, with a trailhead on Forest Service Road 222 next to the Timon Campground entrance, about 5 miles in from Savoy. Rated easy to moderate, it's a good choice for families with kids who can handle the distance. Hiked counterclockwise, it opens with a gentle stretch along Little Spearfish Creek, the only reliable water on the route, before climbing toward Ranger Draw on the loop's east edge, where the foundation of an old ranger station and an abandoned root cellar hint at the canyon's settlement past. The trail winds through ponderosa pine, spruce, and aspen that turn gold in late September, making it a quieter alternative to the canyon's busy waterfall walks. It shares its trailhead with the Rimrock Trail, so check signage before setting out. Bring water, wear sturdy shoes, and watch the forecast, since canyon weather shifts fast and summer storms can bring hail. Best hiked late spring through fall.