BHNF Trail #80: Little Spearfish Trail

Spearfish Creek offers a year round home to the American Dipper. Dippers are small songbirds uniquely adapted to feeding underwater. The common name “dipper” comes from this bird’s habit of bending its legs so its entire body moves up and down in a dipping motion. Dippers can dive and propel themselves under the water with swimming motions of their wings.
In shallow water, they walk along the bottom of streams by grasping stones with their elongated toes. Dippers feed almost exclusively under water on larval forms of aquatic insects including caddisfly, mayfly and stonefly nymphs.
Trail Highlights
The trail begins at the trailhead but can be accessed at numerous locations apparent on the trail map. Both trails meander through stands of ponderosa pine, quaking aspen, and paper birch. Spectacular views of limestone cliffs are complimented by the ambiance of Little Spearfish Creek. The foundation of an old ranger station and a root cellar can be seen between Timon Campground and Rod and Gun Campground.

Trail Elevation: 4,805 to 6,280 feet
Trail Difficulty: Easy, Moderate
Trail Distance: 6.0 mile loop trail

South Dakota Trails / State Parks

Rochford Trailhead

Rochford Trailhead

Lead Trailhead

Lead Trailhead

Castle Trail (West)

Castle Trail (West)

Tower Trail at Devils Tower National Monument

Tower Trail at Devils Tower National Monument

Oakwood Lakes State Park

Oakwood Lakes State Park

BHNF Trail #16: Iron Mountain

BHNF Trail #16: Iron Mountain

Roy Lake State Park

Roy Lake State Park

Creekside Trail at Custer State Park

Creekside Trail at Custer State Park

Mystic Trailhead

Mystic Trailhead

Snake Creek Recreation Area

Snake Creek Recreation Area

Chief White Crane Recreation Area

Chief White Crane Recreation Area

Norbeck Trailhead

Norbeck Trailhead

Lake Alvin Recreation Area

Lake Alvin Recreation Area

Cow Creek Recreation Area

Cow Creek Recreation Area

Lake Louise Recreation Area

Lake Louise Recreation Area

Cold Brook Canyon Trail at Wind Cave National Park

Cold Brook Canyon Trail at Wind Cave National Park

BHNF Trail #64: Crow Peak Trail

BHNF Trail #64: Crow Peak Trail

North Point Recreation Area

North Point Recreation Area