Deadwood, SD & Spearfish Canyon Loop

The Blue Route is a day trip into Wild West history. This 94 mile loop includes Spearfish Canyon, the jewel of the Northern Black Hills. Waterfalls abound all throughout the canyon but the biggest ones are right near the road!

Deadwood, SD, is the highlight for history buffs or fans of the Wild West. Wild Bill Hickock was murdered in Deadwood and is still buried there. The entire town is a National Historic Landmark and takes you back in time on its cobblestone streets.

Blue Route Suggested Itinerary

1 hr - Travel to Deadwood, SD
- via Hwy 385 north. Travel along the quiet 2 lane highway of lakes and streams, sometimes called the Black Hills Parkway.
- via Interstate 90. Visit Bear Butte State Park, (1hr) passing through Sturgis, SD, home of the Sturgis
Motorcycle Rally & Fort Meade Calvary Museum!

2-4 hrs - Deadwood, South Dakota
Visit the Train Depot Visitor info center for details. Walk the Deadwood Walking Tour (1hr), visit Adams Museum (1hr) for amazing Deadwood artifacts. Mt. Moriah
Cemetary (30min) - graves of Wild Bill Hickock &
Calamity Jane & other legends. See the Trial of Jack McCall and don’t miss the street shootouts!

1 hr - Tatanka; Story of the Bison.
Visit the larger than life bronze sculpture featuring 14 bison pursued by 3 Native Americans on Horseback.

1-2 hrs - Visit Spearfish, South Dakota
Visit the High Plains Heritage Center(1hr) at exit 14 or visit Main Street Spearfish(1hr) for great boutique
restaurant food before venturing into Spearfish Canyon. The chamber of commerce has lots of info.

1-2 hrs - Beautiful Spearfish Canyon Highway
This scenic highway contrasts the southern Black Hills with high limestone walls and waterfalls. There is ample opportunity to dip your toes in Spearfish Creek and hike a few trails. The largest waterfall, Spearfish Creek Falls, is tucked away behind the Latchstring Restaurant in Savoy. It’s well worth the 15 min -1 hour trek around the trail. Also visit Roughlock Falls State Park nearby about 1/2 mile.

1-2 hrs - Lead, South Dakota
Visit the Homestake Mine Visitors Center and the Open Pit gold mine. Take a historic Trolley Tour, visit the Black Hills Mining Museum and learn more about the Homestake Gold mine and Black Hills Gold!