Savoy Trail and Fishing Pond

Savoy Pond was built to divert water into a five-mile aqueduct that fed the Maurice Hydroplant further down the canyon — but today it's best known for its tiered fish ladder, a beautiful series of cascading steps built to allow trout to swim freely up and across the dam along Spearfish Creek. The pond is stocked with fish and is one of the most photogenic and peaceful spots in Spearfish Canyon. The Savoy Trail stretches 1.2 miles one way — 2.4 miles round trip — from the trailhead near Spearfish Canyon Lodge to the pond, following the creek and canyon road through dense pine and hardwood forest. The trail is easy and family-friendly with just 75 feet of elevation gain. Fall is the best time to visit, when the canyon's bigtooth maples turn brilliant orange and red. The trail connects into the broader Spearfish Canyon Nature Area system, linking Savoy Pond to Roughlock Falls and Spearfish Falls via interconnected paths. Watch for the rare American Dipper along the creek — a small gray bird that catches food by walking underwater along the stream bottom.