You might also like: The Best Crossbody Purse for Travel There were a few other folks on the path but it felt like we had the place to ourselves for the most part. It’s an easy, paved, but STEEP way down to the main falls viewing platform. You might also like: 7 Travel Intentions for 2020 My uncles asked us to drop them off so they could do the hike, and then my parents and I drove down to the parking area. You can either drive down a little dirt road to the trailhead, or take the easy ~1 mile hike from Spearfish Canyon Lodge instead. Our next stop along the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway was Roughlock Falls. You might also like: 11 of My Best Tips for ANY Trip Roughlock Falls However, I think the water volume was pretty low while we were there (late June 2020) and that probably made the falls less impactful. There is also a small hike down next to the falls that we didn’t know about or take, and that might have made these falls feel more “wow”. There’s a (newer, from what I can tell) viewing platform built right next to the road, but you’re pretty far from the actual falls. We were a bit underwhelmed by Bridal Veil Falls to be honest, but it’s an easy 5-minute stop right along the Spearfish Scenic Byway.
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You might also like: How to Pick the Perfect Hotel or Rental…Every Single Time Bridal Veil Falls On a pretty day with the blue skies, puffy clouds, and green trees, it was a glorious sight! Plan on at least 2-3 hours for enjoying this (and more if you’re hiking, stopping to eat, etc.). The road twists and turns through the gorge, with towering limestone palisades on either side. This is a good example of the journey being more important than the destination. We had trouble finding Little Spearfish Falls Trail and were running short on time at that point, so skipped.Our favorite was definitely Roughlock, which also may have had to do with there being less water overall so Bridal Veil was a little underwhelming.There are 3 waterfalls specifically that are easily accessed within a 5-minute walk (Bridal Veil Falls, Roughlock Falls, and Little Spearfish Falls).There are several short hikes & waterfalls not far off the road that are worthwhile, and these are a few we tried to catch (knowing we didn’t have time for any *real* hikes).
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I found Google Maps accurate and useful (and there aren’t a ton of good signs), so feel free to rely on Google Maps.īelow is a screenshot of how I mapped it. You’ll take highway Alt 14A through the gorge, down to the other end at Cheyenne Crossing outside of Lead. Head up I-90 from Rapid City and then jump off at either Exit 10 or 14 in Spearfish to start down the scenic byway. You might also like: The Only Carry-On Suitcase You’ll Ever Need How to visit Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway It takes you through the canyon and provides plenty of amazing views. The 1000-foot limestone walls carved by the creek are only accessible by horseback but offer some of the most breathtaking scenery in the state-including a number of waterfalls.įor those of us who don’t have the time for a horseback exploration, we can drive the beautiful 22-mile Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.
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Spearfish Canyon is older even than the Grand Canyon, but much more narrow. How To Plan A Western South Dakota Road Trip Itinerary Other info to help plan your South Dakota roadtrip:Ī Roadtrip Through South Dakota’s Badlands National Parkĭay Tripping Mount Rushmore & Custer State Park But if you’re looking for something a little less known then Spearfish Canyon is a great option.
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Your first stops will probably be Badlands National Park and Custer State Park. If you’re planning a South Dakota roadtrip, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to natural beauty.