The Amazing Autumn Leaf Colors of Spearfish Canyon

When the season turns, so does the color. Black Hills spruce, ponderosa pine and quaking aspen blanket the canyon walls. Extending south of the town of Spearfish, Spearfish Canyon holds its own as one of the best fall photography destinations in the Black Hills. Gold, amber and burnt orange take over the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, making every pullout a potential shot.

Cruise the 19-mile byway in autumn to see the height of fall foliage. Find limestone cliffs catching the light, mountain streams rushing through corridors of color and waterfalls framed by foliage. Keep your eyes open for mountain goats, white-tailed deer and other wildlife that make this canyon as alive as the landscape around them.

Top Photography Spots & Landmarks

The canyon is generous with photo opportunities. You don't have to hike far or plan much to find a great frame. These are the spots worth building your shot list around.

Roughlock Falls

During autumn, Roughlock Falls sits inside a tunnel of color. The stretching aspens and birch turn yellow and gold around the cascade. The best lighting comes in the early morning, gracing the falls with soft light.

Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is visible right from the byway. Just pull over and stop for easy and convenient fall landscape photography. The falls drop against a limestone backdrop that contrasts beautifully with autumn foliage. All the beauty, less of the work.

Spearfish Falls

Take a short hike from the Savoy trailhead to be rewarded by one of the canyon's most dramatic views: Spearfish Falls. The falls run year-round, but fall adds a whole new layer of color to the scene. Red, orange and yellow foliage contrasts with the lush green pines. It’s worth it.

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway

All 19 miles of US-14A are worth shooting as you cruise (as long as you’re not the driver). Pullouts along the road offer open views of canyon walls, creek bends and tree canopy in full fall color.

When to Visit Spearfish Canyon for Peak Fall Color

Timing is everything for fall foliage photography in Spearfish Canyon. At higher elevations, the leaves turn as early as late September. The golden and red foliage then works its way down through the canyon into early October. Peak color in the canyon bottom, where most of the best photo spots are, usually falls in mid-October.

The canyon runs roughly north to south, which means morning light hits the east-facing walls first and evening light catches the west side. Golden hour in either direction is worth planning around. On overcast days, the diffused light actually works in your favor. The colors read more saturated without harsh shadows.

Aim for a weekday if visiting specifically for fall landscape photography. Fall weekends on the byway can get busy, and the quieter the road, the better the shots.

Fall Colors Beyond Spearfish Canyon

Spearfish Canyon is the crown jewel, but as autumn turns, the entire Black Hills area offers stunning vistas of fall color. Custer State Park's rolling hills turn in late September and early October. Needles Highway offers high-elevation aspen groves and rock formations that photograph beautifully in autumn light. Badlands National Park takes on warmer tones in fall, and the prairie grasses along the Mickelson Trail turn gold well into October.

Explore fall color across South Dakota with our leaf-peeping guide