Road Trip To Roughlock Falls

Roughlock Falls was my favorite waterfall stop while spending the day on the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Drive.

There are two ways to get there.

We started at the trailhead and took the 1 mile hike to the falls. The trail travels along Little Spearfish Creek and the views of Spearfish Canyon are pretty nice. The trail is easy and relatively flat. Along the way there are multiple informational signs on the area and a small pond. The trailhead starts in the Spearfish Canyon Lodge parking lot.

If a two mile round trip hike isn’t your thing head to the Roughlock Falls State Nature Area just up the road.

Operated by South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks this developed park has shady picnic facilities and restrooms. Designated walking paths and catwalks that are handicap-accessible give you the opportunity to explore the area and falls from multiple viewing points.

Now let’s talk about the star of this spot, Roughlock Falls.

Little Spearfish Creek flows down a chasm, then tumbles off a 50-foot limestone ledge to create a breathtaking multi-tiered waterfall at it’s base. There’s this big waterfall then dozens of little waterfalls flowing over the rocks at the bottom everywhere you look. It was just awesome. No other way to put it.

If you’re doing the scenic drive (which I highly recommend especially in the fall) and only have time for one stop make this that one stop. If you head straight to the designated nature area it will only take you 15 minutes total to go check out the falls.

If you have the time though I would start at the trailhead and do the hike to and back from the falls. It’s a great little hike with a wonderful waterfall as your reward.

Also as you can tell from the pic Dexter was having none of this taken pictures business. Everest on the other hand decided there was no way we were leaving until he got his picture taking sitting right on the top of my head lol.