September 18, 2026
September 18, 2026
Color Change: 50% (High)
Fall hues are becoming more vivid in Spearfish Canyon, where the foliage is now at 50% towards its peak colors. Fog was heavy in the City of Spearfish this morning. As I entered the Scenic Byway, it was almost like a veil was pulled away. The fog lifted revealing deeper lime green, golden, and ruby shades I had not yet seen in the Canyon this season.
Whereas foliage color change was spotty earlier this week, this weekend you will notice significant color change at nearly every turn of the road! Boxelder and ash in the first Canyon miles will greet you with gorgeous greens and yellows.
Watch for ruby red sumac across from Split Rock and further down the byway across from Victoria Peak. On the western side of the Scenic Byway across from the Devil’s Bathtub parking area and Kissing Rocks, look for swaths of poison ivy changing from green to copper. There are emerging goldens in the birch and aspen around Savoy and Spearfish Canyon Lodge.
We are grateful to see rain in the forecast over the next week to give our ranchers and firefighters some peace. It’s a bonus that rain also makes the colors pop in Spearfish Canyon. Take advantage of the byway pull-offs to safely linger and absorb the beauty. This weekend, Spearfish Canyon visitors will get a front row seat to a season in transition.
