We drove through the scenic Spearfish Canyon from Spearfish, South Dakota, to Deadwood, South Dakota, which has casinos, shops, and for us an Old West shootout. This included a short hike to the bottom of Spearfish Falls in Savoy, South Dakota.
This summer, I am detailing our road trip to the Dakotas and Mount Rushmore as a series for a family adventure you might want to do!
A Night in Spearfish
We stayed the night in Spearfish at the Best Western Black Hills Lodge. Dinner was at REDwater Kitchen which was a part of the Spearfish Brewing Company in Spearfish’s downtown which was walkable from the hotel.
D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery and Archives
The next morning, we headed to the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery south of downtown Spearfish.
Here my son Andrew was able to buy some fish food and feed the trout raised here.
Also, you can go below the fish tank and see them up close through underwater viewing windows.
Other Sites
Fish Railcar—before refrigeration fish were moved with specially made fish cars.
Yellowstone Boat—U.S. Fisheries Boat #39, is a wooden-style cabin cruiser. Used for collecting trout eggs at Yellowstone Lake
Von Bayer Museum—has a large collection of fishery artifacts
Booth House– Neo-Classical Revival house built for the superintendent in 1905 and open for tours to learn about the house and families who lived and worked on the hatcheries.
Grounds– Spanning ten acres and includes ponds, rock walls, nature trails, and scenic overlooks.
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Admission: Free, donations accepted
Address:
423 Hatchery Cir, Spearfish, SD 57783
Bridal Veil Falls
Next, we headed south of Spearfish on U.S. 14A or the Spearfish Canyon Highway.
Our first stop was Bridal Veil Falls. It is a short walk from parking close to the highway.
It cascades down 60 feet and is easily accessible to see. An observation platform allows for easy viewing.
My son and I walked down to Spearfish Creek to gain a closer look at the falls and for views of the river.
Address:
Spearfish Canyon Hwy, Spearfish, SD 57783
Spearfish Falls
Parking for the Falls
Parking is next to the Latchstring Restaurant.
Seeing these falls up close includes a 1.1 mile out and back hike to the bottom of Spearfish Falls.
First, we walked to a lookout above the falls and you could see it through the trees. Then near the lookout is a natural surface trail behind the restaurant.
Heading to the Bottom of the Falls
The trail passes by a wooden fence and then starts to go downhill through the woods. The hilly portion goes a bit in switchback before it comes to a bridge across Spearfish Creek. You cross the creek and then the trail goes along the fast-moving creek.
Valley Section
Here we followed the trail through a forest of ponderosa, aspen, and spruce trees. Then we came to the first lookout among some rocks.
At the second lookout, the falls stand out completely and you can hear the roar as the water cascades down.
We wandered around here for a bit for different views of the fall and to take a moment to be out in the woods. It was worth taking the extra time to explore this area before heading back up.
Going Back
Heading uphill to the trailhead was the hardest part of the hike, It is a workout on the return.
Final Thoughts
The view from the top was limiting so doing the hike down to the bottom and back provided the best view of the waterfall. I would recommend that if you want to see it closer up.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Admission: Free
Address:
Lunch Stop In Lead, South Dakota
We had a picnic lunch in downtown Lead on our way to Deadwood South Dakota in a small park. In the park is mining equipment and behind it is a large mine. If you want to learn more about Lead the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center is next to the small park.
Address:
Deadwood, South Dakota
Our next destination was historic Old West Deadwood where you can walk to restaurants, casinos, and stores.
We were only here for a bit to see a reenactment of the shooting of Wild Bill Hickok, American folk hero of the American Old West, in Deadwood. The reenactment was at Saloon No. 10 in downtown Deadwood.
We parked at the visitor’s center since parking is limited in the town.
The shootout is also done on the main street during the summer months along with in the saloon.
My son enjoyed the show. Check at the visitor’s center or at outlawsquare.com for more information
Saloon No. 10 Address:
657 Main St, Deadwood, SD 57732
STAYING THE NIGHT IN HOT SPRINGS, SOUTH DAKOTA
After the shootout, we headed south on U.S. Highway 385 to historic Hot Springs, South Dakota for the night.
Hotel: Hot Springs Inn
Hot Springs Inn is a small mom-and-pop hotel with miniature golf. My son loves this playing so he looked forward to this stop on the trip.
Address:
640 S 6th St, Hot Springs, SD 57747
Springs Walk
From the hotel, you walk along a creek that leads to the hot springs that the town is named after from the hotel. The walk links the hotel to downtown Hot Springs which has restaurants and shops.
Waterfall Address:
200-526 N River St, Hot Springs, SD 57747
Mammoth Site
You can tour this indoor active dig site with mammoth bones and view Ice Age fossils in Hot Springs. The Mammoth Site is a short drive from the hotel.
Admission: 3 and under FREE; 4-12 $11; Military, $11; 13-59, $14; 60 and over, $12
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Daily
Address:
1800 US 18 BYP, Hot Springs, SD, 57747
Next, we head to Agate Fossil Beds National Monument in the panhandle of Nebraska!
EARLIER ADVENTURES
Marveling at the Height of Devils Tower National Monument
A large column of rock rises 1,267 feet above the nearby Belle Fourche River to form Devils Tower National Monument.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit
Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit has cannonball-shaped rocks and brightly colored rock formations coupled with the Little Missouri River.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park: South Unit
Take in the views of eroded canyons and see prairie dogs and wild stallions at Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Painted Canyon
Panoramic canyon views and hiking trails are found at Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s Painted Canyon Visitor’s Center.
Seeing Mount Rushmore and Exploring the Black Hills
Staring up at the iconic presidents carved in stone was a day at Mount Rushmore National Memorial about 30 minutes south of Rapid City, S.D. Mount Rushmore National Memorial features 60-foot sculptures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Designed by sculptor Gutzon Borglum, the memorial covers 1.278.45 acres and sits 5,725 feet above sea level.
Badlands National Park: East Side Hiking
In Badlands National Park you can see unusual rock formations and canyons with vibrant colors and plenty of hiking trails to explore.
Badlands National Park: West Side Hiking
At Badlands National Park we took short hikes along the Loop Road checking out fossils and going up into the Badlands along a trail. We also stopped at the many overlooks for different views of the canyons and spires we drove by.
Discovering the Sioux Falls Waterfall
Seeing a waterfall at sunset in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was part of our first night on our summer trip to the Dakotas and Mount Rushmore.
Driving to the Highest Point in Iowa
Surrounded by cornfields on a windswept hill stands Hawkeye Point, the highest natural point in Iowa at 1,670 feet.
