Spearfish Canyon and Pactola Lake were two stops I had quietly been looking forward to all trip. Spearfish Canyon meant waterfalls, and waterfalls nearly always pull me in. I was also excited to try out my newer filter system and hoped for one of those days where the light, water, and scenery all came together.
Instead, we arrived to smoke, haze, and changing conditions from nearby wildfires. Even so, the canyon was still beautiful, the waterfalls were still worth seeing, and Pactola Lake ended up being the perfect place to slow down and breathe a little before heading back to Hill City.
Visitor Guide
| Main Stops | Spearfish Canyon and Pactola Lake |
| Region | Black Hills, South Dakota |
| County | Lawrence County and Pennington County |
| State | South Dakota |
| Best For | Waterfalls, scenic drives, overlooks, lake views, and photography |
| Highlights | Bridal Veil Falls, canyon drive, shaded trails, and Pactola Lake overlooks |
| Google Maps | Spearfish Canyon Map | Pactola Lake Map |
A Day I Had Been Waiting For
This was one of those South Dakota days I had been especially excited for. Spearfish Canyon had waterfalls on the list, and that alone was enough to make me happy. It also felt like the perfect excuse to test out some of the camera gear I had brought along.
As we approached the canyon, though, it became clear this was not going to be the kind of day I had pictured. Smoke was rising in the distance, and the closer we got, the more obvious it became that wildfire conditions were affecting the area.
Certain sections were closed, traffic was beginning to bottleneck, and a smoky haze settled over parts of the canyon. It did not make the scenery any less impressive in person, but it definitely changed the kind of photographs I had hoped to bring home.
Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls is one of the easiest waterfalls in Spearfish Canyon to find, which makes it a great stop even if you are just driving through the canyon and do not have time for a longer hike. The falls drop about 60 feet and are especially striking when water flow is strong.
Even through the haze, Bridal Veil Falls was beautiful. The canyon walls, the rushing water, and the greenery all around it still made the stop worthwhile. The smoke did show up in my images, but thankfully editing tools helped salvage a few of them.
Driving Through Spearfish Canyon
One of the best parts of Spearfish Canyon is simply driving through it. Even if you only stop a few times, the canyon itself does most of the work. Tall limestone walls, forested slopes, streams, and waterfalls make it one of those scenic drives where the windshield is rarely enough.
We did make it back to another waterfall area on foot, and the walk itself was pleasant — shaded, green, and cool enough to feel like a relief from the summer heat.
Along the route, people were taking off their shoes and wading through the icy creek. It looked refreshing, especially with temperatures climbing, though we did not stay long enough to linger the way I would have liked.
Unfortunately, as the fire activity changed, traffic control increased and parts of the canyon became more difficult to move through. The haze thickened in lower areas and eventually we decided it made more sense to leave rather than spend a good part of the day sitting still in traffic.
If we had allowed for more extra days in South Dakota, we probably would have tried again under better conditions. It was still a beautiful stop, but it also felt like a place we only partially experienced.
Pactola Lake
After leaving the canyon, Pactola Lake was a welcome change of pace. It felt open, bright, and calm after the smoke and slow traffic. Sometimes a lake stop is exactly what a travel day needs.
Pactola Lake is the largest reservoir in the Black Hills, and from the overlooks it feels expansive in a way that photographs do not always fully capture. It seemed like one of those places built for people who love being on the water — boating, kayaking, fishing, and simply spending the day outside.
The water had that clear blue-green tone that catches your attention right away, especially looking down from the bluffs. It looked clean, bright, and inviting even from a distance.
The surrounding pines gave us some much-needed shade from the heat, and the stop turned into a pleasant little stretch break with a bit of light hiking. It was also one of those places where you instinctively slow down a little.
We spotted eagles circling above the lake along with a few other birds of prey, though none came close enough for me to confidently identify. Even so, it added to that feeling that Pactola is more than just a scenic overlook — it is the kind of place where people can easily spend a full afternoon.
Why This Stop Was Worth It
Even with smoke, closures, and changing conditions, I was still glad we made time for both Spearfish Canyon and Pactola Lake. Spearfish gave us waterfalls and dramatic canyon scenery, while Pactola gave us room to breathe and take in the wider Black Hills landscape.
If you are building out a South Dakota road trip, both are worth including — especially if you love scenic drives, water, and places that feel different from each other even within the same region.
Back to Hill City we went, with a stop for meat to grill at the rental house and plans to revisit a few favorite places the next day.
Thanks for tagging along with us on our travels to Spearfish Canyon and Pactola Lake.
Additional Posts From the Trip
Posts may contain affiliate links.