Visit the historic town of Spearfish and you will find yourself wishing you could spend forever exploring all it has to offer. So where is Spearfish, South Dakota? This quaint community with a little more than 11,000 residents is nestled in the gorgeous Black Hills region and is almost completely surrounded by hills. When you consider the pristine beauty of the Spearfish Canyon, the rich history of community buildings, and the local downtown festivals, you just might be inclined to think Spearfish is the most unique town in the world.

This town’s history dates all the way back to 1876. The first inhabitants noticed in awe that nature engulfed their home to resemble the shape of a crown. Ever since then, Spearfish, South Dakota has been nicknamed “Queen City.”
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
Home to Spearfish Canyon, the town of Spearfish is every adventure lover’s dream come true. Hikers and bikers alike love exploring the 1,000-foot-tall walls that are even older than the Grand Canyon.
Spearfish Canyon, North Lawrence, SD 57783, USA
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
E_Bass / Flickr
Devil’s Bathtub is an unmarked secret location that few people other than the locals know about. It's the perfect place to take a refreshing dip post-hike. The setting is almost overwhelmingly beautiful.
google/Colin Grambow
Visitors can also choose to stay on the 22-mile-long scenic byway and marvel at the natural beauty of the canyon from the comfort of their vehicle.
jimmers54 / Flickr
Spearfish, SD is also home to the DC Booth Historic Fish Hatchery, which happens to be the area’s first center to control Yellowstone National Park’s fish population.
D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Archives, 423 Hatchery Cir, Spearfish, SD 57783, USA
USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation / Flickr
Although the hatchery was forced to close in the 1980s, it has been reopened with the goal of preserving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s culture and history. This area’s pristine beauty scattered with historic structures and colorful vegetation make it an ideal place for outdoor receptions.
The annual Holidazzle Light Parade is a truly magical site in downtown Spearfish. It also includes a chili feed, carolers, and roasted chestnuts.
visitspearfish.com

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This Queen Anne-style home built in the early 1900s speaks for itself.
Wikimedia Commons/JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD - Eigenes Werk
The Matthew Opera House & Arts Center in Spearfish is a non-profit organization that features the work of 48 regional artists. This historic building, which was built in 1906, is also the site of community plays, music concerts, and national performance acts.
612 N Main St, Spearfish, SD 57783, USA
The Matthews Opera House & Arts Center / Facebook
Spearfish is also home to Termesphere Gallery. Dick Termes, a well-known artist, paints optical illusions on spheres that hang from ceiling motors. His art has been published throughout the world.
Termesphere Gallery, 1920 Christensen Dr, Spearfish, SD 57783, USA
Termesphere Gallery / Facebook
Termesphere Gallery / Facebook
The town locals celebrate Harvest Fest every year. It involves every fall activity you can possibly think of, including pumpkin carving and apple pie contests.
Pixabay/bernswaelz
Birdwatchers will find their paradise on the five-mile community recreation path along Spearfish Creek. This area is home to 220 species of birds, many of which are hard to find in other South Dakota prairie regions.
Wikimedia Commons/blucolt
There’s simply no place on Earth quite like Spearfish. It's one of the best small towns in South Dakota.
Elly Blue / Flickr

What are your favorite parts of or things to do in Spearfish, South Dakota? Please let us know in the comments section.

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Spearfish South Dakota

Jennifer Young | July 09, 2022

What are three fun things to do in Spearfish, South Dakota?

There are quite a few fun things to do in Spearfish, South Dakota and we've listed three of our favorites below.

  • Explore Spearfish Canyon which was created 30 to 60 million years ago, is home to a deep and narrow ravine that's surrounded by massive walls. It's South Dakota's very own Grand Canyon and is also one of the most beautiful spots in the Black Hills region.
  • Take a hike to Bridal Veil Falls. There are many waterfalls in South Dakota, including Bridal Veil Falls. Bridal Veil Falls plunge more than 60 feet. It's also Spearfish Canyon's most accessible waterfall.
  • Visit High Plains Western Heritage Center which opened to the public in 1989. It's a museum that honors the Old West Pioneers and American Indians of North and South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Montana. A few features of the museum include a chuck wagon, a stagecoach, and a homestead cabin.

 

What are three small towns in South Dakota that are an absolute must-visit?

There aren't many things that can beat small-town South Dakota. The people... the scenery... it just doesn't get any better. Listed below are three small towns in South Dakota that everyone should consider visiting.

  • Keystone, which was a huge gold-mining town in the late 1800s, is located in the Black Hills region of Pennington County, South Dakota. With a current population of less than 600, it's one of the state's smallest towns. Even though Keystone is quite small, it's home to one of South Dakota's most popular attractions. This particular attraction is the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, which was completed in 1941 and includes the profiles of former presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
  • Deadwood has a population of just over 1,500 and was founded in 1876. It's mostly famous for its gold rush history. Deadwood was named after the many dead trees that were found by early settlers, and the town became a National Historic Landmark in 1961.
  • Custer, founded in 1875, is a town with just over 2,000 residents. It offers a variety of fun places to visit, including Custer State Park, which covers approximately 71,000 acres. Custer State park is also home to one of the world's largest free-roaming bison herds. Both children and adults alike enjoy visiting and exploring this state park.

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Spearfish, SD, USA