Roughlock Falls Trail (Spearfish Canyon views!) 🌲 2 ways to get to waterfalls overlook 🌲 Black Hills, South Dakota travel blog

Hi there!

So Roughlock Falls is one of the popular waterfalls in Spearfish Canyon.

There are 2 ways see the waterfalls.

Either way, you’ll need to walk at least a little bit.

There’s a boardwalk that leads to the Roughlock Falls overlook!

But, you can choose the the way you want to get to the Roughlock Falls overlook!

Roughlock Falls is a part of South Dakota’s state park system in Spearfish Canyon Nature Area.

The Spearfish Canyon State Nature Area includes Roughlock Falls, Spearfish Falls, and Savoy Pond.

First, the quick list of how to see Roughlock Falls.

Then, a bit more about hiking the Roughlock Falls Trail to see these Spearfish Canyon waterfalls!

How to see Roughlock Falls

1. Hike to see Roughlock Falls

If you want to make it a hike in Spearfish Canyon, then you can hike to get to Roughlock Falls!

It’s a mostly leisurely walk through the forest that comes with some canyon views along the way.

You will park at the first Roughlock Falls trailhead that you see.

2. Drive to see Roughlock Falls

If you don’t want to walk as much, you can drive closer to get closer to the Roughlock Falls overlook to reduce your walking time.

You will drive past the first Roughlock Falls trailhead you see, and keep driving until you get to the other Roughlock Falls parking area.

This is the Roughlock Falls Nature Area parking lot. 

This is the day use area of the Roughlock Falls nature area, so it can make for a perfect picnic spot in Spearfish Canyon too!

If you hike the Roughlock Falls Trail from the Roughlock Falls trailhead, you will be hiking to the nature area.

How I saw Roughlock Falls

I parked at the first Roughlock Falls trailhead.

Then I hiked the Roughlock Falls Trail to get to the Roughlock Falls overlook.

I walked around more of the Roughlock Falls nature area.

Then, instead of walking back the same trail parking to the Roughlock Falls trailhead, I walked Roughlock Falls Road back.

It was a nice leisurely walk with canyon views!

Roughlock Falls Road is a dirt road.

Since this is the same road that cars drive to get to the Roughlock Falls Nature Area parking lot, you do get some dust blown in your face when cars drive by, though.

More below about hiking the Roughlock Falls Trail!

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Hiking the Roughlock Falls Trail to see waterfalls in Spearfish Canyon

I did the Roughlock Falls Trail as part of a drive from Mount Rushmore to Devils Tower. (That was a drive from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone with Spearfish Canyon along the way!)

This means that I was driving in the direction of Savoy SD to Spearfish SD.

Coming from Mount Rushmore, my time in Spearfish Canyon started in Savoy.

And, it’s at this junction to start driving the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway that you’ll find the turn-off for Roughlock Falls.

Once you’re in Savoy, you’ll see a sign for Roughlock Falls, so you’ll follow the sign.

You’ll be turning onto Roughlock Falls Road.

Then, once you make that turn, you’ll pass the Spearfish Canyon Lodge.

Then you’ll see a sign for the 76 Trail. This is where you start the 76 Trail.

I did not do the 76 Trail, but according to the people of Visit Spearfish, it seems like a worthy hike! So if you want to do this, the Roughlock Falls trailhead parking lot can be good for that too. It’s listed as a 1.5 mile round trip difficult hike in which you will be hiking UP for vast views of the Black Hills!

Shortly after the 76 trailhead, the road will turn into a dirt road.

Then, almost immediately after that, you’ll see another sign for Roughlock Falls along with the Roughlock Falls trailhead parking lot.

It will be a sign for “Roughlock Falls trailhead parking” and “Roughlock Falls.”

If you want to go to the Roughlock Falls Nature Area for the quicker way to see Roughlock Falls, you’ll keep driving straight ahead.

If you want to hike to Roughlock Falls (aka if you want to start the Roughlock Falls Trail), this first parking lot you see for the Roughlock Falls trailhead is your destination!

The parking lot is obvious and you will see it directly alongside the road.

There is a bathroom at the start of the Roughlock Falls Trail at the parking lot.

You will see the start of the Roughlock Falls Trail directly at the parking lot!

And off you go to start hiking to Roughlock Falls!

The dirt trail will eventually lead to boardwalk trails and paved trails where you can walk around to see waterfalls and streams!

It took me 30 minutes to get from the Roughlock Falls trailhead to the first Roughlock Falls overlook.

I was walking at a leisurely pacing and took lots of pictures along the way.

Then, I continued walking around the different boardwalks and paved paths that are a part of Roughlock Falls Nature Area.

I spent around 30 minutes walking around the Roughlock Falls Nature Area. You don’t need that much time if you want to get out of there quickly.

Then I left and started walking along Roughlock Falls Road to get back to the Roughlock Falls Trail parking lot!

That took around 15 minutes.

So if you give yourself 1.5 hours to do the Roughlock Falls Trail, that should be plenty of time to enjoy the hike in Spearfish Canyon and take in the views of the canyon and the waterfalls!

It’s possible to do it in less than an hour though if you want to be quicker about it!

And that’s a bit about the Roughlock Falls Trail!

I did the Roughlock Falls Trail in September 2021. Your experience may vary!

More of the Black Hills and beyond:

• Things to do in the Black Hills
• Things to do in Mount Rushmore National Memorial
• Things to do in Custer State Park
• Things to do in Devils Tower National Monument
• Targhee National Forest waterfalls in Idaho
• National forest cabins in Wyoming

HAPPY HIKING THE ROUGHLOCK FALLS TRAIL!