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Spearfish Community Caves
4.6 ★★★★★ 86 Google reviews · Running trail in Spearfish, South Dakota · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Spearfish Community Caves' 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.
Unmarked trail for steep hikes and waterfall views from hillside caves, plus winter sports.
What runners say about Spearfish Community Caves
“Beautiful in the winter when the waterfall freezes over and makes a room out of the caves.”
We had a blast navigating to the caves. It was a challenge as the trail is not marked and the paths are not cleared at all. A tip for future climbers, once you cross the river, make a sharp right and go across the large loose rocks.
You have to try a little bit if you want to find the trail since it's unmarked but it's not hard if you have eyeballs that work and a brain that understands direction. Not that difficult of a hike either if you've ever climbed a staircase it's like the same idea, it goes up. Cause it's on a hill. Great view.
Nice little hike to some carved out rocks. Beautiful in the winter when the waterfall freezes over and makes a room out of the caves. Lots of loose rocks before you make it to the caves and you need to cross a creek.
Nice little workout, the caves were very cool and the terrain made you work for it. Trail is not marked but when you park and cross the street go LEFT after you cross the river( toward the rock), we went the wrong way but finding it was half the challenge. Enjoy !
Trail conditions & character
“Keep going until you find the running water from the waterfall (granted that the water is flowing!”
“We got lost because we missed the small right turn off the trail towards and over the river leading up the hill.”
Plan your run at Spearfish Community Caves
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- 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
- Websiteblackhillshikingbikingandmore.com
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Spearfish
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Community Cave Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 64 reviews
Visitors hike to the top of a waterfall at this park, which features a cave.
City Park
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Park offering a playground and picnic facilities, plus sports courts and a fish hatchery.
Spearfish Parks & Recreation
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Deep & narrow canyon lying within the Black Hills & featuring a fast flowing creek.
Bridal Veil Falls
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Popular cascade on the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, offering a platform, a deck and parking.