Deadwood and Spearfish Canyon

The Wild West town of Deadwood and a canyon road with waterfalls in the northern Black Hills.

Distance: 173 km (107 mi)
Driving: 1 h 55 min
Suggested days: 2
Stops: 5
States: SD, WY
Updated: May 5, 2026

At a glance: 2-day road trip of about 173 km (107 mi) with 5 stops, from Rapid City to Devils Tower National Monument. About 1 h 55 min of driving in total.

More road trips in South Dakota, Wyoming · More road trips from Rapid City

Route description

Rapid City has bronze statues of the presidents on its downtown street corners and serves as the gateway to the Black Hills. Head north on I-90 or US-385 to Deadwood, a Wild West gold rush town with a restored main street, casinos and the graves of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane at Mount Moriah Cemetery. Next door, Lead has a huge open-pit gold mine.

US-14A, the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, follows Spearfish Creek through limestone cliffs, pine forest and spruce. Bridal Veil Falls is right beside the road, and short trails lead to Roughlock Falls and Spearfish Falls. The canyon is especially beautiful in fall, when the birch and aspen turn gold.

The byway ends at Spearfish, a college town at the mouth of the canyon. From there, I-90 heads west into Wyoming, and a side road leads north to Devils Tower National Monument. The 867-foot column of rock, sacred to many Plains tribes, is circled by a 1.3-mile trail around its base.

During the Sturgis motorcycle rally in early August, the area is packed and campgrounds fill up months ahead. Climbers are asked to voluntarily avoid Devils Tower in June out of respect for tribal ceremonies. Spring and fall are quieter, but snow is possible from October.

Stop-by-stop itinerary

In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.

1

Rapid City
SD
Start
2

Deadwood
SD
62 km
3

Spearfish Canyon
NatureSpearfish, SD
A scenic byway through limestone cliffs and waterfalls in the northern Black Hills.
16 km
4

Spearfish
SD
13 km
5

Devils Tower National Monument
NatureDevils Tower, WY
A 867-foot column of rock that is sacred to many Plains tribes. A 1.3-mile trail loops around its base.
82 km

Suggested stages and overnight stops

2 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.

Day 1: Rapid City → Spearfish · 56 mi · 0 h 60 minOn the way: Deadwood, Spearfish Canyon.Overnight nearby, for example: Spearfish City Campground (1 mi); Wyatt’s Campground (9 mi).
Day 2: Spearfish → Devils Tower National Monument · 51 mi · 0 h 55 minOvernight nearby, for example: Devils Tower KOA (1 mi); Belle Fourche Campground (1 mi).

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.

Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons

FAQs

How long is Deadwood and Spearfish Canyon?

2-day road trip of about 173 km (107 mi) with 5 stops, from Rapid City to Devils Tower National Monument. About 1 h 55 min of driving in total.

How many days do you need for Deadwood and Spearfish Canyon?

We suggest 2 days: about 1 h 55 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

Where does Deadwood and Spearfish Canyon start and end?

It starts in Rapid City and ends in Devils Tower National Monument.

Which states does Deadwood and Spearfish Canyon pass through?

South Dakota and Wyoming.

Where can you camp along Deadwood and Spearfish Canyon?

OpenStreetMap lists 59 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Rapid City - Black Hills KOA Holiday, No Name City Luxury Cabins & RV, LLC and Black Hills Station RV & Campground.

When is the best time for Deadwood and Spearfish Canyon?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)