Spearfish Falls
Lawrence County, South Dakota
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 46 ft (14 m)
- Location
- Lawrence County, South Dakota
- Access status
- State nature area trail from Savoy to the base of the falls
- The walk
- 0.7 mile one way, per the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks trail map
- Ground & access
- Descending forest trail into the canyon, rated Easy-Moderate on the GFP map; the return climbs back up.
Spearfish Falls drops into Spearfish Canyon in the Spearfish Canyon Nature Area, managed by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. The trail starts at Savoy, at the junction where the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway meets the road to Roughlock Falls, beside the Latchstring restaurant. It descends into the canyon, crosses the creek on a bridge, and follows Spearfish Creek to a classic view from the bottom of the falls. A visitor account also mentions an upper overlook with a limited view from the top. Return the same way.
Plan your visit
Spearfish Falls Trailhead at Savoy, down the Spearfish Falls Trail into Spearfish Canyon to the base of the falls
The GFP trail map lists the Spearfish Falls Trail at 0.7 mile one way, Easy-Moderate. Return the same way, climbing back to Savoy.
Descending forest trail into the canyon, rated Easy-Moderate on the GFP map; the return climbs back up.
Where to start
A visitor account found only about three trailhead spaces in the Latchstring restaurant lot at Savoy, with most of the lot signed for restaurant guests and staff, and suggests the Roughlock Falls trailhead lot nearby, a few minutes' walk away.
Timing & water
Open year-round. FS Road 222 from Savoy to Roughlock Falls is closed each winter during snowmobile season, per GFP.
Before you go
No entrance fee required, per GFP.
Visitor informationVisit sources
- South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks: Spearfish Canyon Nature Area
- South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks: Spearfish Canyon Nature Area
- South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks: Spearfish Canyon Nature Area
- South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks: Spearfish Canyon trail map (PDF)
- South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks: Spearfish Canyon trail map (PDF)
- Flashpacking America: Spearfish Falls trailhead parking
- Flashpacking America: Spearfish Falls trailhead parking
- Flashpacking America: Spearfish Falls Trail
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Roughlock FallsRoute and trailhead parking verified59 ft (18 m) · Lawrence County, SD0.7 miW
Bridal Veil FallsResearched visit notesLawrence County, SD5.0 miNE- Mirror Creek Falls7 ft (2 m) · Lawrence County, SD15 miN
- Upper Windy Pine Falls7 ft (2 m) · Lawrence County, SD15 miN
- Lower Windy Pine Falls5 ft (1.5 m) · Lawrence County, SD15 miN
- Thunderhead FallsPennington County, SD33 miSE