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Fall Colors - Northern Hills
Areas near Spearfish, SD
- Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway - This byway is the best place in the Black Hills to see waterfalls, including Bridal Veil, Little Spearfish & Roughlock Falls. The byway is a favorite fall color drive when the aspen changes in Sept. The Byway also follows an old railroad grade that was abandoned after massive flooding in 1933. Old rail stops & mining camps include Savoy & Elmore.
- Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower is located north of Deadwood, SD. The famous Deadwood Sheriff, Seth Bullock, built the Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower in 1919 as a dedication to President Theodore Roosevelt, his close friend of many years. The tower offers a 360 degree panoramic view from the top.
- Vanocker Canyon, outside of Sturgis, SD, is also a nice drive and there are several pretty areas along the way.
- O'Neil Pass (elevation 6,683 ft.) is part of Hwy 85 located southwest of Lead, SD, and near Hardy Guard Station. With a higher elevation, colors can start turning here a little earlier than some other areas on the Forest.
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The Old Baldy Trail is a 5.7 mile loop with a 0.7 mile spur trail to the summmit of Old Baldy Mountain. The trail meanders through stands of quaking aspen, paper birch, and ponderosa pine. To access the Old Baldy Trail from Spearfish, travel south on FSR 134 for approximately 13 miles to the trailhead which is on the west side of the road. From Savoy, travel south on FSR 222 for 6 miles to the intersection with FSR 134, and travel north on FSR 134 for approximately 1.1 miles to the trailhead.