Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
Scenic drive · South Dakota
US-14A runs nearly 20 miles between Spearfish and Cheyenne Crossing through a limestone canyon in the northern Black Hills, passing Bridal Veil, Spearfish, and Roughlock Falls. Birch and aspen against spruce and pine peak late September into early October along one of the region's classic fall drives.
Don’t miss
Peak: October 4–October 8
Color builds from September 26 · mostly bare by October 27
Sampled at Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway’s own coordinates and elevation (1310 m) rather than a regional average.
South Dakota is sampled at 40 weather points, then moved 2 days earlier so the model agrees with 1 published peak date from smokymountains.com. Against South Dakota's own climatology, the 2026 weather puts the peak 6 days earlier. How the forecast works
When to go to Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
You get about 19 days of color here, from the first turn through to roughly October 15. Against South Dakota overall, that is 5 days earlier. The elevation is 4,298 ft, which pulls the turn earlier.
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway on the map
Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of South Dakota, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.
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Frequently asked
- When does Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 4–October 8 (best estimate October 6). Color starts around September 26 and is mostly bare by October 27.
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