Despite the current warm temperatures, fall really is on its way. Before long, you’ll be pulling your sweaters out of the closet and making plans to view fall foliage before the snow flies. Here’s a trip that takes you through the Black Hills to see some of South Dakota’s most stunning fall foliage. Make your plans to go now!
Our Fall Foliage Road Trip takes you from Spearfish down to Custer (though you can travel from south to north if you’d rather).
Google The trip is 136 miles and takes about four hours if you don’t stop along the way. Of course, we recommend that you take your time to hike, view scenic overlooks and take plenty of photos along the way! For the road trip map and directions, click here.
Start in Spearfish Canyon, one of South Dakota’s most popular places to view fall foliage.
John the Bear/Tripadvisor
Don’t miss Roughlock Falls for one of autumn’s most gorgeous fall foliage photo opportunities.
rusticpress/Tripadvisor
From Cheyenne Crossing, stay on Route 14-A and head northeast through Lead to Deadwood. The foliage in the hills surrounding Deadwood is gorgeous, and it’s a great place to stop for a drink or meal.
John the Bear/Tripadvisor
Continue on to Sturgis, then travel through Vanocker Canyon for more foliage.
Stanley Zimney/flickr
As you travel toward Hill City, you’ll see even more pretty foliage.
YNPChristmasBray/Tripadvisor
Consider taking the 1880 Train from Hill City to Keystone and back. During autumn months, the trip is even more stunning.
Loves2Laugh29/Tripadvisor
Travel the oval-shaped Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway for a trip through some of South Dakota’s most scenic country.
Teresa N./Tripadvisor
This loop takes you past some of our state’s most iconic spots, and fall is the perfect time to visit, since most tourists have left by September/October.
Teresa N./Tripadvisor
Fall is a beautiful time to visit Mount Rushmore.
Thomas Hawk/flickr
The Peter Norbeck Loop takes you through much of Custer State Park.
Stacey D/Tripadvisor
Stop to take a little hike around Sylvan Lake.
jpellgen/flickr
Your trip ends in the town of Custer, where you’ll find plenty of places to grab a meal and stay the night.
Richie Diesterheft/flickr
According to SmokyMountains.com, the best time to view fall foliage in South Dakota is the week of October 8th, so you might want to plan your trip around that time.
SmokyMountains.com Click on the link above the map to use the interactive map so you can see the site’s predictions for the entire autumn.
Did you see the Black Hills’ fall foliage last year? Share your pics with us in the comments – we’d love to see them!
The trip is 136 miles and takes about four hours if you don’t stop along the way. Of course, we recommend that you take your time to hike, view scenic overlooks and take plenty of photos along the way! For the road trip map and directions, click here.
John the Bear/Tripadvisor
rusticpress/Tripadvisor
Stanley Zimney/flickr
YNPChristmasBray/Tripadvisor
Loves2Laugh29/Tripadvisor
Teresa N./Tripadvisor
Thomas Hawk/flickr
Stacey D/Tripadvisor
jpellgen/flickr
Richie Diesterheft/flickr
SmokyMountains.com
Click on the link above the map to use the interactive map so you can see the site’s predictions for the entire autumn.
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