Itineraries

There’s a lot to see and do in Spearfish. And the beauty of staying here is that most activities don’t require a schedule. On a whim, you can wind up at the base of Spearfish Canyon or on a secluded trail face-to-face with white-tailed deer.

However, many visitors use travel itineraries to make sure they’re seeing everything the Black Hills have to offer. View a few sample itineraries here or browse our group itineraries.

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Loop – Full Day Tour

 Take a full day to drive around beautiful Spearfish Canyon then onto several historic sights.

1. From Spearfish, take Highway 14A, the Spearfish Canyon National Forest Scenic Byway, to view Bridal Veil Falls, Little Spearfish Falls, Roughlock Falls and the “Dances with Wolves” film site.
2. Next, continue to Cheyenne Crossing, taking Highway 85N through Lead to see the Homestake Visitors Center, Presidents Park and stop at Terry Peak Ski Area.
3. From Lead, take Highway 385N to Deadwood where you can visit the Adams Museum and House, Mt. Moriah Cemetery and The Roo Ranch, a unique kangaroo wildlife park.
4. From Deadwood, take Highway 85N to see Tatanka: Story of the Bison. From here, you can follow Highway 85N to Interstate 90 and return to Spearfish after a full day of sightseeing.

 

History Tour

Take in the history of the Black Hills region on a half-day tour around Spearfish.

1. Start in Spearfish at the High Plains Western Heritage Center.
2. Next, view the globular works at the Termesphere Gallery, showcasing the spherical art creations from Spearfish local Dick Termes.
3. Tour the D.C. Booth Historic Fish Hatchery, just a few miles away.
4. Finish your half-day at the Dolls at Home Museum.

 

Full-Day Nature Tour

Wildlife enthusiasts can view Spearfish’s unique relationship with nature.

1. Start your day at the Spirit of the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
2. Drive the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway (Highway 14A), stopping to watch birds and other animal life.
3. Extend your tour into Rapid City to visit Bear Country USA and the Reptile Gardens, about 45 minutes from Spearfish.

 

Hiking Tour

Hikers can enjoy a number of trails around Spearfish and Roughlock Falls. This tour takes you along one trail and up to one of the city’s most beautiful views.

1. Start by viewing Bridal Veil Falls and Roughlock Falls in Spearfish Canyon.
2. Start your hike on the Roughlock Trail, a gentle one-mile hike.
3. The end of the trail inclines to a public picnicking area where you can enjoy lunch.
4. During the afternoon, grab your bike and enjoy the interconnecting loops of the Big Hill Trails, located minutes from Roughlock Falls.

 

Monumental Day Tour

Journey south of Spearfish to the heart of Black Hills national parks and monuments. Due to the drive, this tour takes a full day.

1. Drive about an hour and 20 minutes to Mount Rushmore National Memorial near Keystone.
2. Visit Crazy Horse Memorial, just 30 minutes away.
3. Allow yourself an hour to travel down the Needles Highway, a 20-mile stretch of scenic views in Custer State Park.
4. Remain in Custer State Park for the afternoon, viewing wildlife or enjoying its many hiking and biking trails.

 

Native American CultureTour

This day tour lets visitors take home a piece of Native American culture, venturing into Wyoming and back to view national monuments and sacred ground.

1. Drive to Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming, about an hour from Spearfish.
2. While in Wyoming, stop to view the Vore Buffalo Jump.
3. On your return trip from the monument, drive past Spearfish to stop at Tatanka: Story of the Bison, located 25 minutes east.
4. After Tatanka, visit Deadwood, just one mile south for gaming, shopping and Wild West history before returning to Spearfish for the night.

 

Walking Tours

Two walking tours take you through Spearfish’s historic residential and commercial district, giving you a piece of its history on foot.

Historic Residential Tour

• Mary Whitney House (1882), 704 8th Street
• Henry Keets House (1883), 344 E. Illinois Street
• William Driskill House (1884), 335 Canyon Street
• James A. Corbin House (1887), 345 Main Street
• Almira Riley House (1892), 938 Ames
• Oliver N. Ainsworth House (1894), 340 Kansas Street
• Webb S. Knight House (1895), 514 7th Street
• Henry Court House (1898), 329 Main
• Fayette Cook House (1900), 840 8th Street
• John Wolzmuth House (1900), 814 8th Street
• Eleazer C. Dickey House (1900), 735 8th Street
• Arthur Hewes House (1905), 811 St. Joe
• Halloran-Matthews-Brady House (1906), 214 Jackson Blvd.

 

Historic Commercial Tour

• The William B. Lown House, Jackson & 5th Street
• The William B. Lown Mercantile, 701 5th Street
• Odd Fellows Building, 122 West Illinois Street
• American National Bank
• Wolzmuth Hardware, 544 Main Street
• Matthews Block
• Spearfish Filling Stations
• City Hall
• Mail Building, 731 Main Street