Spearfish Falls — 80ft Plunge in South Dakota

Spearfish Falls is a 80-foot plunge waterfall in Lawrence County, South Dakota, reached by an easy walk over 1.5 miles.

Spearfish Falls is an 80-foot plunge waterfall in Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota — the deeper, more dramatic of two waterfalls in the upper Black Hills (the other being Roughlock Falls a few miles upstream). The falls were used as the backdrop for the final scene of 'Dances with Wolves' (1990), and the surrounding canyon is some of the most scenic terrain in the central U.S. The 1.5-mile out-and-back trail from the Latchstring Inn area is easy and family-friendly. Best in June after spring snowmelt and in October fall foliage.

What to expect

Drive Spearfish Canyon Highway 14A south from Spearfish. The trailhead is behind the Latchstring Inn (about 13 miles south of Spearfish). Park at the inn lot or the trailhead. The 1.5-mile easy trail descends gradually to the falls overlook and continues a short distance to the base. Pair with Roughlock Falls (5 miles south on the same highway), the Devil's Bathtub swimming hole, or the historic Lead/Deadwood mining towns 30 minutes east.