Want an unforgettable mix of waterfalls, hiking, and small-town charm? Head to Spearfish, South Dakota! Tucked in the northern Black Hills, Spearfish is a gateway to outdoor beauty and historic charm. With scenic drives, trout-filled creeks, and vibrant arts downtown, Spearfish offers adventure and relaxation all year round.
Spearfish, SD Highlights:
- Drive the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway: A must-see 22-mile stretch filled with cliffs, waterfalls, and panoramic pullouts.
- Hike to Roughlock Falls: An easy and iconic trail leading to one of the region’s most photographed waterfalls.
- Walk or bike the Spearfish Recreation Path: A paved trail winding along Spearfish Creek through parks and neighborhoods.
- Explore downtown Spearfish: Discover local galleries, cafés, boutiques, and historic buildings with a friendly vibe.
- Fish or picnic at Spearfish City Park: A peaceful green space with access to the creek, playgrounds, and picnic shelters.
When I like to visit Spearfish, SD
The best time to visit Spearfish is from late spring through early fall (May to October). Summer brings ideal hiking, fishing, and event weather, while fall showcases stunning foliage in Spearfish Canyon. Winter also offers snowshoeing and ice climbing for outdoor enthusiasts.
Tips for getting to Spearfish, SD
- If you are traveling by car: Spearfish is just off I-90, about 45 minutes west of Rapid City and 15 minutes from Deadwood.
- By Air: Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is the nearest major airport, about 1 hour away by car.
- By Bus: Jefferson Lines provides limited regional bus service to Spearfish from larger cities along I-90.
Where I like to stay in Spearfish, SD
- Spearfish Canyon Lodge – A scenic, rustic resort tucked in the canyon with direct access to hiking and waterfalls.
- Holiday Inn Spearfish-Convention Center – Comfortable hotel with a pool, restaurant, and family-friendly amenities near I-90.
Best Things to Do in Spearfish, SD
1. Spearfish Canyon
Spearfish Canyon is a deep and narrow gorge in Lawrence County, South Dakota, carved by Spearfish Creek for millennia. It is located just south of Spearfish, in Black Hills, on the northern end of the Black Hills National Forest. The Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway transects the Canyon, connecting Spearfish and Cheyenne Crossing. . Black Hills are home to the incredible diversity of plant species. Of the 1,585 plant species in South Dakota, 1,260 species thrive in the Black Hills. Many of them can be found in Spearfish Canyon. Canyon is home turkeys, bluejays, cliff swallows, chickadees, woodpeckers and golden or bald eagles. There are also white-tail and mule deer, porcupines, raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, bobcat and yellow-bellied marmot. The canyon is great spot for wildlife watching, but also rock climbing, biking, hiking, and fishing.
Spearfish, South Dakota
2. D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery
Established in 1896 on four acres near Spearfish, South Dakota, the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery is one of 70 fish hatcheries that were opened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the National Fish Hatchery System. The hatchery was established in order to introduce and establish a steady trout population in the Black Hills. It is one of the oldest fish hatcheries in the country. The hatchery spawns and releases between 20,000 and 30,000 rainbow trout every year. The hatchery serves as a fisheries archive, preserving records and historical artifacts. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Von Bayer Museum of Fish Culture is located inside the original hatchery building.
423 Hatchery Cir, Spearfish, SD 57783, Phone: 605-642-7730
3. High Plains Western Heritage Center
High Plains Western Heritage Center, opened in 1989 in Spearfish, South Dakota, is the heritage museum devoted to Western expansion. The 20,000 square foot center includes a five-State Regional Museum that honors the Old West Pioneers and American Indians of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming and Montana. The museum features a stage coach, chuck wagon and a homestead cabin as well as an extensive collection of everyday objects and archives. The establishment of the museum was initiated by ranchers Harry Blair and Edgar (Slim) Gardner, who founded the High Plains Heritage Society and a High Plains Western Heritage Center. The Center has a spacious theatre with state-of-the-art sound system, the Transportation Room with a Concord Stagecoach, Chuckwagon, “Tally Ho” Wagon, Buggies, and Sleighs and more.
825 Heritage Dr, Spearfish, SD 57783, Phone: 605-642-9378
4. Termespheres Gallery
Located off a small gravel road outside Spearfish, South Dakota, is one of the most unusual art galleries in the world, located in a geodesic dome covered with magical colorful globes. The globes, which their creator, the artist Dick Termes, calls Termespheres are artist’s art medium, three-dimensional paintings on spheres, created with a technique artist calls six-point perspective. Each Termesphere is a revolving three-dimensional space/time painting of an entire closed universe. Currently, the artist’s complex consists of four domes: the Termespheres Gallery dome with a cupola dome on the top, two house domes, and a studio dome. Dick Termes artwork has been recognized all over the world and his spherical paintings have been published in many art books.
1920 Christensen Dr, Spearfish, SD 57783, Phone: 888-642-4805
Activities and Attractions for Couples:
5. Matthews Opera House and Arts Center
The Matthews Opera House and Arts Center is a non-profit organization located on the Main Street in Spearfish, South Dakota. Built in 1906, the opera house has gone through many incarnations. Today, on its ground level is a fine arts gallery that represents 48 regional artists. Upstairs, the community theater provides community plays, live music concerts and national performance acts. The gallery is covered, wall to wall and even ceiling, with innovative, bold and diverse artwork in every medium created by Black Hill artists. The gallery also offers fun kids’ activities. The gallery hosts many art openings and community art projects and events such as the Community Art Show. The Matthews Opera House and Arts Center annual Festival in the Park is one of the largest outdoor arts and music summer festivals in the upper Midwest.
612 N Main St, Spearfish, SD 57783, Phone: 605-642-7973
6. The Millstone Family Restaurant
Established in 1981, the Millstone Family Restaurants are locally owned and operated unassuming American eateries with three locations in Black Hills. They offer homestyle popular eats, a soup, a salad bar and a large breakfast menu served the whole day. There is a daily special worth checking out, with homey delights such as meatloaf and spare ribs. Their Spearfish location is a spacious, pleasant restaurant with cozy private booths and large windows bringing plenty of light. It is as popular with breakfast crowds as it is with families coming for dinner. The Millstone does not serve alcohol.
The Millstone Family Restaurant, 620 E Jackson Blvd, Spearfish, SD 57783, Phone: 605-642-4200
7. Roughlock Falls
The Roughlock Falls area is one of the most-visited outdoor recreational areas in South Dakota. One of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of the Black Hills is to set off along the Roughlock Falls Trail, which winds its way to the base of the Roughlock Falls, a multi-tiered waterfall which is well worth viewing. The hike is considered to be easy and is just 2 miles there and back. Along the way you can enjoy jaw-dropping views, spot some wildlife or take the time to try your hand at trout fishing. The bird-watching is also rumored to be excellent. You can bring a picnic and enjoy getting back to nature.
Roughlock Falls Trail, South Lawrence, SD 57754
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
8. Thoen Stone
A must-see attraction for all history enthusiasts, the Thoen Stone is a unique engraved sandstone slab which was discovered on Lookout Mountain in 1887 by Louis Thoen. The inscribed stone tells the story of the intrepid Ezra Kind and his party who came to the Black Hills in search of gold. What makes this discovery so controversial is the date on the stone which establishes that this gold-hunting expedition occurred a full 40 years before the Custer Expedition and the subsequent 1874 Black Hills Gold Rush. You can examine the original Thoen Stone in the Adams Museum in Dead Wood or admire the replica monument at the end of St. Joe Street in Spearfish.
Thoen Stone, St. Joe Street, Spearfish, SD 57783
9. Frawley Ranch
You will find the Frawley Ranch nestled in the heart of the beautiful Centennial Valley where is protects and showcases six historic homesteads which date back to the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The ranch was owned by prominent lawyer and business man Henry Frawley, who bought up several failed homesteading parcels of land and converted them into one of the state’s most successful cattle ranches. Today visitors can take a guided tour of the ranch visiting various historic buildings including the Centennial Valley School House, the Courtyard Barns and the Draper Road House. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of activities including golf, swimming, hiking and biking at the neighboring Elkhorn Ridge Resort.
Frawley Ranch, 20189 US Hwy 85, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605 722 1800
10. Downtown Clock Tower
The Downtown Clock Tower has been a prominent Spearfish landmark since it was built in 2011 as part of a downtown revitalization project. Located in front of the Visitor’s Center, the Clock Tower became an even more popular attraction after it was topped by an amazing Thermesphere in 2017. The thought-provoking art installation was the work of prominent artist Dick Termes, who has completed many equally interesting spherical installations in other cities. This particular 36-inch sphere has been hand-painted to present an unusual and interactive view of the natural beauty surrounding Spearfish as well as all the daily activities of the community. The sphere can be manually rotated by a complex system of gears within the tower.
Downtown Clock Tower, 603 N. Main Street, Spearfish, SD 57783
Where I Like to Eat in Spearfish, SD
- Killian’s Food & Drink – Upscale American comfort food with craft beers and seasonal specials.
- Leone’s Creamery – Artisan ice cream made in-house using local and unique ingredients.
- Steerfish Steak & Smoke – Hearty steaks, smoked meats, and a cozy Western vibe.
My favorite local events:
- Festival in the Park (July) – Outdoor art and music festival held in Spearfish City Park with vendors and family fun.
- Spearfish Canyon Half Marathon (August) – Scenic race through the canyon followed by local festivities.
- Black Hills Film Festival – Spearfish (Spring) – Celebrate independent filmmaking with screenings and workshops.
My favorite day trips within 30 Minutes of Spearfish, South Dakota:
- Deadwood (15–20 min) – Step into Wild West history with casinos, shootout reenactments, and museums.
- Lead (20 min) – Visit the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center and learn about one of the world’s deepest gold mines.
- Black Hills National Forest (10–30 min) – Endless hiking, biking, and scenic drives await in every direction.
- Belle Fourche (30 min) – Explore the Tri-State Museum and Center of the Nation monument.
- Terry Peak (30 min) – Ski or snowboard in the winter or hike and mountain bike in the warmer months.
Plan Your Trip