It seems like there’s no limit to the outstanding places you can find during an autumn in South Dakota. But for every one of our favorite fall spots, there’s a nearby bonus experience that will leave you filled with unexpected discovery & wonder.
Whether it’s surprise Black Hills waterfalls or the sound of 1,400 buffalo running together through Custer State Park, make the most of your trip by enjoying the familiar AND lesser-known experiences that will leave your heart as full as your phone’s picture storage.
YOU MAY KNOW THE MAJESTY OF SPEARFISH CANYON IN THE FALL...
The 19-mile Spearfish Canyon is a beautiful drive any season, but a leisurely cruise during autumn reveals color explosions that will make you fall for fall in a heartbeat.
...BUT DON'T MISS THE HIKING AND WATERFALLS!
Not everyone knows that Spearfish Canyon is home to four waterfalls! Bridal Veil Falls cascades down a sheer 60-foot cliff right alongside the road. Spearfish Falls — sometimes referred to as the prettiest waterfall in the Black Hills — is just behind the Latchstring Inn in the tiny town of Savoy near the southern end of the byway. The most popular is Roughlock Falls, but the lesser-known Annie Creek Falls offers you a chance to take a tough vehicle to one pretty spot. Keep an eye out for the sign at the first right past Elmore as you drive north into Spearfish Canyon.
No matter what your waterfall choice, it's easy to make it part of a hike around the canyon. Take a number of easy walking paths around Roughlock Falls, a moderate (1.5 miles roundtrip) path to the 47-foot waterfall that is Spearfish Falls, or the intense — and well worth it — 76 Trail, where you're rewarded with some panoramic views of Spearfish Canyon. Other great canyon trails include Community Caves, 11th Hour Gulch, and Iron Creek. With so much beauty around, you might as well take it all in, right?
SOUTH DAKOTA HAS PLENTY OF HARVEST FESTIVALS...
A strong rural culture means that South Dakota knows how to celebrate fall aka "harvest season," even if that mostly means eating tasty food and enjoying the crisp outdoor air. Wander one of these harvest festivals to celebrate all things autumn.
...BUT ONE OF THEM LAUNCHES PUMPKINS IN THE AIR
That's right. The Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival in Rapid City features traditional autumn celebration fare (vendors, pumpkin weigh-offs, fun for all ages) but there's also Pumpkin Chuckin'! Teams from South Dakota School of Mines & Technology's Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Production program use catapults and trebuchets to send pumpkins soaring, much to the delight of all in attendance. And if you're looking for some other strange events throughout ever season, check out our favorite weird events in South Dakota.
OH, WE HAVE PLENTY OF GREAT PLACES TO CRUISE FOR WILDLIFE...
From the bald eagles known to fly near Pickstown and Lake Andes along the Native American National and State Scenic Byway to the pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and prairie dogs along the Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway, there's some beautiful living scenery along South Dakota's many scenic drives. Buffalo sometimes appear in Badlands National Park, but they're more common on scenic drives in Custer State Park. And if you want to see a LOT of buffalo, keep reading.
...BUT HAVE YOU EVER SEEN 1,400 BUFFALO MAKING A TRIP OF THEIR OWN?
That's right. Every September, cowboys & cowgirls rustle up Custer State Park's buffalo herd, ultimately bringing them over a large hill to the delight of thousands of attendees. (Yeah, they're technically bison, but South Dakotans call them "buffalo" because we are a stubborn people.) The event is essentially a holiday in the state, accompanied by food and the Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival. Whether you watch the event on a livestream or, preferably, in person, don't miss this one-of-a-kind event that celebrates the USA's official national mammal.
