Roughlock Falls is a 42-foot tiered waterfall on Little Spearfish Creek in South Dakota, set in Spearfish Canyon in the northern Black Hills of Lawrence County. It lies in the Spearfish Canyon Nature Area, run by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.
The falls
Little Spearfish Creek spills into Spearfish Canyon here in a series of steps. The falls are a multi-tiered set backed by a broad curtain of water. The total height is put at 42 feet; earlier surveys listed 50 feet, and one estimate runs as low as 30 feet.
Getting there
The falls lie inside the Spearfish Canyon Nature Area, 1 mile west of the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway at Savoy on Forest Road 222 (Roughlock Falls Road). There is no entrance fee, and the area is day use only.
Two routes reach the falls. The Roughlock Falls Trail follows Little Spearfish Creek up from the Spearfish Canyon Lodge area to the falls, 1 mile one way and rated easy by the state. From the parking area at the falls, a 0.5-mile round-trip overlook loop with 36 feet of gain is also available.
When to go
The nature area and the trail are open all year, but Road 222 from Savoy to the falls is closed December 15 through March 31 for snowmobile season. The trail from Spearfish Canyon Lodge stays open through the winter, at visitors' own risk. The state highlights the fall foliage around the falls.
On site
The trail map shows an upper and a lower observation area at the falls. The overlook paths are asphalt and boardwalk with railings, an accessible parking space is available, and some grades of 5 to 8 percent may need assistance. Dogs must be leashed. The area has picnic tables and vault toilets open year-round; camping is not allowed. Fishing, birdwatching and snowshoeing are listed activities.
History and name
A South Dakota state publication traces the name to wagon drivers who "roughlocked" their wheels with chains or logs to brake down steep slopes.
Nearby
Spearfish Falls is about 0.7 mile away, in the same nature area; the state's Spearfish Falls Trail descends into the canyon to reach it, 0.75 mile one way. Bridal Veil Falls is about 5.5 miles away, and Thunderhead Falls about 33.1 miles. Savoy Pond is also part of the nature area.
Distances are straight-line.