A couple of weeks ago, we went on a photo shoot up Spearfish Canyon with Tom Griffith of TDG Communications of Deadwood. We were looking for a scenic spot that exemplifies the beauty of the northern Black Hills. Tom suggested Roughlock Falls.
My first choice would have been Spearfish Falls, or perhaps even Bridal Veil Falls. Having visited Roughlock a few times over the years, I felt it lagged far behind the beauty of the other falls. I knew that the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks folks had done some work out there recently, but I’d not seen Roughlock in probably 18 months.
Wow! Kudos to the GF&P Department for planning and developing this location in a tasteful and durable way. I think it is a powerful enhancement for Roughlock Falls, and it helps visitors enjoy this captivating area just west of Savoy.
My first choice would have been Spearfish Falls, or perhaps even Bridal Veil Falls. Having visited Roughlock a few times over the years, I felt it lagged far behind the beauty of the other falls. I knew that the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks folks had done some work out there recently, but I’d not seen Roughlock in probably 18 months.
Wow! Kudos to the GF&P Department for planning and developing this location in a tasteful and durable way. I think it is a powerful enhancement for Roughlock Falls, and it helps visitors enjoy this captivating area just west of Savoy.Game, Fish & Parks spent about $600,000 on revitalizing the area around the falls. They’ve added a well-constructed walkway, new restrooms, and numerous picnic tables. Their signage does an excellent job of telling the history of the area and revealing how Roughlock got its unusual name. GF&P deserves a pat on the back. They did a first-class job.
We were so impressed after our visit there with Tom, that we drove back the next day, accompanied by Roger and Fran Whorton of Spearfish. They’re another couple of relatively-new retirees to the northern Hills, and I think it’s safe to say they were equally impressed with the site. We enjoyed a tasty picnic lunch after hiking the area and snapping a few pictures.
By the way, Roger and Fran are celebrating their 42nd wedding anniversary this week. They’re a delightful couple who’ve become good friends. They’re also members of our newly-formed pinochle group, which I think is called the Spearfish Area Pinochle Society (SAPS). We gotta change that name.
As you have occasion to drive up Spearfish Canyon on Highway 14A, which is a National Scenic Byway, I encourage you to swing over to visit Roughlock Falls. After driving south out of Spearfish for about 12 miles, you'll reach Savoy. Staying on 14A to the left, you can navigate to Cheyenne Crossing (and that's another story!) or you can turn right -- which is west -- and go about one mile to Roughlock Falls. You might want to take a look at the Game, Fish and Parks website to gain some Roughlock Falls information, so you’ll have a bit of background about what’s there and its history. We've also added a few Roughlock Falls photos to our Spearfish Canyon photo gallery that we started last winter.
The magnificent beauty in and around Spearfish Canyon is another reason so many folks choose the Black Hills of South Dakota for retirement.
We were so impressed after our visit there with Tom, that we drove back the next day, accompanied by Roger and Fran Whorton of Spearfish. They’re another couple of relatively-new retirees to the northern Hills, and I think it’s safe to say they were equally impressed with the site. We enjoyed a tasty picnic lunch after hiking the area and snapping a few pictures.
By the way, Roger and Fran are celebrating their 42nd wedding anniversary this week. They’re a delightful couple who’ve become good friends. They’re also members of our newly-formed pinochle group, which I think is called the Spearfish Area Pinochle Society (SAPS). We gotta change that name. As you have occasion to drive up Spearfish Canyon on Highway 14A, which is a National Scenic Byway, I encourage you to swing over to visit Roughlock Falls. After driving south out of Spearfish for about 12 miles, you'll reach Savoy. Staying on 14A to the left, you can navigate to Cheyenne Crossing (and that's another story!) or you can turn right -- which is west -- and go about one mile to Roughlock Falls. You might want to take a look at the Game, Fish and Parks website to gain some Roughlock Falls information, so you’ll have a bit of background about what’s there and its history. We've also added a few Roughlock Falls photos to our Spearfish Canyon photo gallery that we started last winter.
The magnificent beauty in and around Spearfish Canyon is another reason so many folks choose the Black Hills of South Dakota for retirement.
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