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September 9, 2025
Spearfish Canyon is beginning to show us its fall colors. At present, the Canyon’s trees and shrubs are at 25% of their full peak color. The forest regions around Bridal Veil Falls and Devil’s Bathtub parking area are showing lighter greens and some yellows.
Color Change: 25% (Low)
Spearfish Canyon is beginning to show us its fall colors. At present, the Canyon’s trees and shrubs are at 25% of their full peak color. The forest regions around Bridal Veil Falls and Devil’s Bathtub parking area are showing lighter greens and some yellows.
As you approach Savoy, you will spot golden birch and dogbane. It almost looks like the trees are shedding their leaves on the forest floor at some spots, the low-lying dogbane is that vibrant right now. The emerging reds in the Canyon are from the sumac plant. It comes in various sizes throughout the Scenic Byway. Red sumac is hard to miss on the Canyon’s rocky hillsides.
Spearfish Canyon has the distinction of being one of the first places in the U.S. to see peak colors in its deciduous trees each year. This is because of the Canyon’s higher elevation, drier climate, and tree types. Places like the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee or Acadia National Park in Maine see their peak colors later, in mid-October to even early November in some years. Spearfish Canyon is a great place to get that first taste of fall.
September 5, 2025
This is the first Spearfish Canyon Leaf Report of 2025. The Canyon foliage is currently at 10% of its total fall color change. Green and lush at present, the forest will fully reveal its autumn hues in the next few weeks. Read on for my predictions about when we’ll see “peak” Canyon colors!
Color Change: 10% (Very Low)
This is the first Spearfish Canyon Leaf Report of 2025. The Canyon foliage is currently at 10% of its total fall color change. Green and lush at present, the forest will fully reveal its autumn hues in the next few weeks. Read on for my predictions about when we’ll see “peak” Canyon colors!
Yellows in the Canyon are emerging from ash trees lining the byway as you enter Highway 14A. Watch for turkeys crossing the road! We are also seeing yellows from dogbane, a perennial herb. Look up onto the rocky plateaus to see spreading dogbane and red sumac.
Wildflowers are sprinkled throughout the Scenic Byway. Today I spotted forget-me-nots near the creek on Iron Creek Trail and even a few daisies near Long Valley Picnic Area. Flowers can be hard to see from the road. It’s worth utilizing one of the Canyon’s many parking pull-offs for a walk to spy wildflowers up close.
I predict we’ll see the “peak” or most saturated fall tree colors in Spearfish Canyon sometime between September 23 and October 3, likely more toward the later end of those dates. The above-average rainfall we’ve received in 2025 means the trees are not stressed because of drought. This could mean a later fall foliage season.
September 30, 2024
This is the last Spearfish Canyon Leaf Report for 2024. The fall foliage in Spearfish Canyon was still very colorful this morning with bright red sumac and golden birch. Our weather forecast for this week includes warm, but mild temperatures and no forecasted precipitation. This indicates the first week of October will still be prime leaf-watching time!
Leaf drop is still minimal but some trees around Long Valley Picnic Area and Kissing Rocks have noticeable leaf loss.
Color Change: Post Peak Colors (but still at 95% of total color saturation)
Leaf Drop: Minimal
This is the last Spearfish Canyon Leaf Report for 2024. I have a surprise for my fellow leaf lovers! Check out this video https://youtu.be/NBusk3fRmYc to see the fall progression of one of the Canyon’s best leaf viewing spots.
The fall foliage in Spearfish Canyon was still very colorful this morning with bright red sumac and golden birch. Our weather forecast for this week includes warm, but mild temperatures and no forecasted precipitation. This indicates the first week of October will still be prime leaf-watching time!
Leaf drop is still minimal but some trees around Long Valley Picnic Area and Kissing Rocks have noticeable leaf loss. Yet, there are some trees that will still transition to their peak color over the next week or two. When I determine percentages for color change, I take into account vegetation up and down the Canyon. Some trees fit into the broader changes in the Canyon, but some trees always progress into fall on their own mysterious timeline.
Thanks for reading and exploring along with me this year!