South Dakota's state parks have plenty to offer, from beautiful lakes, to great campgrounds to gorgeous hiking trails. Here's a state park in the southeastern corner of the state that you definitely need to visit soon.
Good Earth State Park At Blood Run is located just southeast of Sioux Falls. The address is 26924 480th Avenue, Sioux Falls.
To see the interactive map and get directions, click here.
advertisement
The River Trail connects most of the other loop trails so that you can spend the whole day exploring. It's one mile long, and the other trails branch off it.
South Dakota has so many beautiful places that it could take a lifetime to explore them all. One of the best ways to see our natural wonders is by lacing up your hiking boots and getting out there in the clean, fresh air. Here's a short, easy hike that will take you to the Roughlock Falls Nature Trail in South Dakota, one of the state's most popular spots for photography. We absolutely love it, and you'll soon see why shutterbugs love this view. Come along for this fun adventure and see for yourself!
advertisement
You'll find the Roughlock Falls Nature Trail in Spearfish Canyon. The trailhead is located at Spearfish Canyon Lodge — you'll see the signs right from the parking lot.
A boardwalk takes you right over a marshy area with a pond and you'll want to spend some time gazing into the water to look for fish, frogs, and other wildlife.
You can certainly see why shutterbugs love this spot! Spend some time just taking in the falls before you head back the way you came. The hike is a total of 2.1 miles, out and back.
During the summer months, this trail can be very busy. For a more solitary experience, try to visit on a weekday morning when the temperature is cool and most of the trail is shaded by the canyon. But it's a great trail to traverse any time of the year. To check out some Roughlock Falls Nature Trail reviews, be sure to go to the AllTrails website.
Have you ever traversed along the Roughlock Falls Nature Trail? If so, what was your favorite part? Would you agree that it is one of the best hiking trails in South Dakota? We'd love to read about your experience in the comments section below!
Hidden away near Lead, South Dakota, within the breathtakingly beautiful Spearfish Canyon State Nature Area, is a collection of waterfalls - and waterfall hikes - that all show off the at-times exotic beauty of our state. But what if you're a bit strapped for time and don't quite have the hours it'll take to do each waterfall hike in South Dakota individually? Easy - you pick a trail that mashes all the best of 'em together, like the Savoy-Waterfalls Trail. Enjoy multiple gorgeous cascades on this epic adventure through some of our beautiful state's wildest wilderness - and make memories that'll last forever.
advertisement
Welcome to the legendary Spearfish Canyon Nature Area, one of South Dakota's most breathtaking landscapes filled from top to bottom with natural wonders to experience.
With no fewer than three named waterfalls here, countless miles of hiking trails to explore them on, and so much more, you'll never get bored of this heavenly place.
It's more than just waterfalls, of course - take some of the incredible views in, too.
But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't primarily drawn to this place because of the cascades; unlike our neighbors to the north, we have several waterfalls 'round here... all of which are a treat.
But, truly, it's the billowing cascades you'll stumble upon that REALLY make the show what it is.
The two most notable waterfalls you'll experience while you're here are Roughlock Falls and Spearfish Falls, both of which are sure to take your breath away in the very best of ways (which also may be thanks to some challenging points on the trail, too - but it's a good challenge).
advertisement
advertisement
This trail, which is an amalgamation of the area's most popular hikes, is just over six miles in length and takes around three hours to finish - that is, unless you decide to stop and smell the roses, which I strongly recommend.
This is, after all, some of South Dakota's most beautiful wilderness, and it absolutely commands a moment or two to admire. You'll hear the falls before you see them, and when you see them you'll fall in love with our beautiful state all over again.
You can hike the trail in any way, though I definitely recommend taking the Savoy leg of the trail first, followed by the Roughlock portion and then the Spearfish Falls bit, but none of this is set in stone.
Part of what makes it such a delight is the overall freedom factor; out here, you can do whatever you'd like, and this amazing wilderness makes for one incredible host.
So come on out to the legendarily beautiful Spearfish Canyon Nature Area and enjoy all the best things this amazing state has to offer - one mile at a time.
For more information about this amazing hiking trail, including a handy map, check out the official Savoy-Waterfalls Trail AllTrails listing. And, as a bonus, if you're planning to come out and visit and need a little more to do, check out all the coolest goings-on from our friends at Airbnb Experiences.
