Spearfish Canyon Nature Area — Attraction in Lead

Here’s a glowing review of Spearfish Canyon Nature Area and Roughlock Falls you can use:

⸻

Spearfish Canyon Nature Area and Roughlock Falls are absolutely breathtaking! This entire area feels like stepping into a hidden mountain paradise. The scenic drive through the canyon is stunning, with towering limestone cliffs, dense forest, and a peaceful creek winding through it all. Every turn offers a new view that’s worthy of a postcard.

Roughlock Falls is a true gem. The walk to the falls is easy and accessible, making it perfect for all ages and fitness levels. The pathway is well-maintained and winds through serene woodland with plenty of spots to stop and soak in the beauty. When you reach the falls, the sound of the rushing water and the surrounding canyon walls create a magical, tranquil setting that’s hard to beat.

Whether you’re into hiking, photography, wildlife spotting, or simply enjoying nature at its finest, this is a place you’ll never forget. Highly recommend making time for it while exploring the...

We found the falls beautiful and enchanting. On a hot day, the cool breeze and mist coming off the crystal clear water was a treat. The pathways had a lot of little offshoots, nooks, and benches to sit and enjoy. The picnic tables in the upper part of the falls were large and clean, tucked into a pretty pine grove. The one mile trail leading up to the falls is a gentle incline, not too challenging for small children or people who aren't in top shape. The trail skirts the creek, forest, and open meadows. If you'd prefer, you can drive to the falls and park. It's a dirt road, but maintained. There is a spot near parking where you can sit and put your feet in the icy water and watch little trout swim. I hope to return some day in the fall and see it with the gorgeous colors all around. It's worth the trip to see it, not far at all from the main highway through...

We were expecting a natural, peaceful place to contemplate and take a dip in the water, surrounded by the beauty of Spearfish Canyon. The canyon itself is wonderful but Roughlock Falls and nearby Spearfish Falls were too built-up for our liking. They have fences all over the place that kept us from enjoying the water and forced us to walk on paved paths. They are not the "hidden gems" that reviews around the internet led us to believe. We were used to exploring on our own throughout the Black Hills, so the heavily curated atmosphere here felt like Disney World in comparison to the other trails and scenic wonders of the region. The many fences all reeked of some sort of chemical that was recently applied. Hopefully the smell will be gone by next year, it inflamed our senses and kept us from enjoying the smells of the...