The Savoy Waterfalls Trail Is One Of The Best Waterfall Hikes In South Dakota
By Tori Jane|Published July 02, 2024
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
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.
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.
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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).
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.
