I realize I’ve been wondering about many things lately. … Where caves come from, what exactly is a ghost town, what ever happened to Sue the T-rex….As I was driving today, I passed the exit leading to Spearfish Canyon and realized I really knew nothing about the area. I’ve taken many drives through the canyon on Highway 14A to take in the gorgeous scenery, but have never given much thought to the canyon’s history. Well, here’s what I learned today.

Somewhere between 30 to 60 million years ago, Spearfish Canyon, often compared to the Grand Canyon, was formed by the eroding water from the great sea that is believed to have once covered the Black Hills. The moving water had a great effect on the large quantities of limestone and sandstone deposited in the area. Eventually, a deep channel was created and volcanic eruptions below the ground began to define the landscape. Hence, we now have Spearfish Canyon.

The canyon is now somewhat of a nature wonderland, filled with various pine trees, wild flowers, creeks, sandstone, limestone and various forms of wildlife. Of course I recommend the 20-mile drive through the canyon for anyone, but there are many other ways to appreciate this well-known area of the Black Hills.  You can go for a hike on one of the many trails, try fly-fishing, take the bikes out for a ride or find a nice spot to relax and have a picnic.

No matter which season you visit, the Canyon is quite breathtaking. The next time you’re in the Black Hills area, I recommend you keep a quick trip the canyon on your agenda. If you want to learn more, take a look at the Spearfish Canyon Foundation.