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Little Spearfish Falls Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 75 Google reviews · Running trail in Lead, South Dakota · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Little Spearfish Falls Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Well-maintained trail to a beautiful waterfall with clear water and wildlife sightings.
What runners say about Little Spearfish Falls Trail
“Spearfish Falls is a beautiful and easily accessible waterfall that’s definitely worth a visit.”
“It is an easy trail but has some sections which would be muddy if wet.”
Wonderful short 1 mi round trip (spur trail) down from the restaurant area to the base of the waterfalls. Late June there are large areas forget-me-nots flowers and some wild roses. As you get closer to the falls there is a small group of cedar trees towering to the sky as you walk into the shade.
The hike down to the waterfall is very short and easy, starting from the parking lot of the Latchstring Restaurant. I would highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area, and it wouldn't take a lot of your time. We went in the morning and saw deer walking through the area as well.
This is a really pretty place to check out the Spearfish falls. The hike down is a bit steep but it is well worth it. The water is so clear, and the paths are well kept. Look for wildlife, there's plenty of it to see! A must see if you are in Spearfish canyon.
Enjoyed this little trail, the babbling brook you cross, and the delightful falls. In mid-May, the falls were full and flowing. Ran out of daylight but there were more trails to explore if time allowed.
Trail conditions & character
“The hike down to the waterfall is very short and easy, starting from the parking lot of the Latchstring Restaurant.”
“The hike down to the waterfall is very short and easy, starting from the parking lot of the Latchstring Restaurant.”
“The trail down to the falls is fairly easy to navigate, it starts with a downhill walk, followed by a steeper climb on the way back up.”
“Spearfish Falls is a beautiful and easily accessible waterfall that’s definitely worth a visit.”
Plan your run at Little Spearfish Falls Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–10 PM |
Running trails near Lead
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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Community Cave Trail
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Visitors hike to the top of a waterfall at this park, which features a cave.