September 14, 2026
September 14, 2026
Color Change: 33% (Low)
Spearfish Canyon is presently displaying 33% of its peak fall colors. A lightning strike sparked a quarter-acre forest fire on the north side of Spearfish Peak (on a hill close to Spearfish Canyon’s entrance) in the early morning hours of Monday, Sept. 14. The U.S. Forest Service worked with the Spearfish Volunteer Fire Department to lay hose to get water to the site. Crews will continue checking on the area throughout the week, but the fire was under control at the time this report was filed. The Spearfish area received about a quarter inch of rain on Monday.
Botany Bay continues to be a stunner in Spearfish Canyon. This region of the Canyon earned its name on account of its diverse plant life. From the forest floor to the top of its rocky peaks, Botany Bay is full of fall color right now.
From the Canyon entrance through Bridal Veil Falls, many boxelder and ash trees are shining with bright, almost neon yellow and green leaves. Ruby reds from Virginia Creeper stems can also be spotted after Split Rock near Spearfish Creek.
Near mile marker 13 is another noticeable area to view beautiful fall trees this week. This area has an assortment of golden and verdant deciduous trees on the western Canyon wall. As you continue on Highway 14A around Savoy, look for amber-colored birch and aspen in the higher elevations of the rocky cliffs. As I stood in the Canyon today, I spotted wildflowers of many colors including goldenrod, yellow toadflax, and purple crownvetch.
