Waterfalls in South Dakota
Most people agree that South Dakota has a total of four significant waterfalls, with three of them being located in the Black Hills, and the last being located 400 miles away at Sioux Falls. Somehow, I have not been to Sioux Falls, even though it's only six hours from my home. ONE DAY!
Black Hills
Bridal Veil Falls
Description: Bridal Veil Falls is a tall waterfall right next the highway, but it usually doesn't have much flow in it. Worth a stop on the way to Spearfish and/or Roughlock Falls.
Hiking Description: Park here (44.416921, -103.881350), and the waterfall is right across the street. There is a nice wooden overlook, from which the photo below was taken.
Total Mileage: N/A
Difficulty: 0/10 (Roadside)
Date First Visited: August 7, 2023
Date Last Visited: August 7, 2023
Rank: B
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Roughlock Falls
Description: Roughlock Falls is a nice waterfall a few miles upstream from Spearfish Falls on the same creek. While not as impressive as Spearfish, Roughlock is still an interesting waterfall, and there are boardwalks that lead to many different vantage points. Easy access.
Hiking Description: From the parking lot here (44.349964, -103.944537), head east on the concrete trail. After a short distance, the trail will split. I would reccomend trying both trails. The right trail leads across the creek to the best view here (pictured below), and the left trail leads down to creek level, but at a fair distance away from the actual falls. It's easy to get to all these vantage points. Note that there are more short spur trails to other viewing spots, but everything is close together, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding your way.
Total Mileage: ~0.2 total
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date First Visited: August 7, 2023
Date Last Visited: August 7, 2023
Rank: A
Spearfish Falls
Description: Spearfish Falls is a wonderful waterfall that is easy to get to. It is on the same stream as Roughlock Falls, but downstream a ways, right where Little Spearfish Creek emties into Spearfish Creek. Situated at the top of the falls is the Latchstring Restaurant, which also serves as the parking lot for the trail to the falls. This is a great restaurant, but be warned that it's a bit pricy.
Hiking Description: Park in the lot for the Latchstring Restaurant. The trail starts from the north end of the lot. The trail is wide and well graded. It will quickly start to descend some switchbacks. Once you've gone down those, the trail meanders a bit through the beautiful forest before coming to the falls after 0.3 miles.
Total Mileage: 0.6 total
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date First Visited: August 7, 2023
Date Last Visited: August 7, 2023
Rank: A+
Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls
Description: Sioux Falls is a large waterfall in the city of the same name. Far from any other falls, but close to I-29 and I-80, so visit if you'd like. I haven't even visited here in years, but my friend did, so you'll get his photo from September, 2024.
Hiking Description: Park here (43.558060, -96.723529). The falls isn't far, but a maze of paved trails lead out to different perspectives. Head south and it won't be far.
Total Mileage: 0.1+ total
Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy)
Date First Visited: many, many years ago
Date Last Visited: September 30, 2024
Rank: Unranked (for now)
