Community Caves are just another great reason to explore Spearfish Canyon. These little waterfalls create some really beautiful ice formations in the winter.
The caves are only a few miles into the canyon if your are traveling from Spearfish. You’ll want to watch for mile marker 13 and park in the pullout on the right side of the road just after the marker.
You don’t have to hike up there to catch a glimpse of the falls in the winter. Just before mile marker 13 if you look to the left you’ll see the falls.
To get to the falls you’ll cross the road and and cross the creek. You’ll see the well worn trail that heads up the draw and will take you to Community Caves.
The trail is pretty steep and if your going in the winter time there is a pretty good chance that the snow packed trail may have turned to a sheet of ice. So don’t forget your crampons
. I forgot mine and spent most of the trip back down on my backside.
Winter hiking is Spearfish Canyon is total different then summertime. Everything looks different and it is easier to see the rock walls of the canyon without the leaves on the trees.
Update:Â Click Here to Watch my Community Caves Video
Other Hikes in Spearfish Canyon
Since most of the canyon is public land hiking is pretty much unlimited, however, here are some great trails you should check out.
More Information about the area
There are very few straight roads in the Black Hills and for that reason I recommend you always carry a good map. Black Hills – Northeast, South Dakota Map #751 is my favorite map, it is big enough to read easily and has most hiking trails marked. If you want a guide book, I like both Best Easy Day Hikes Black Hills Country
and Moon Mount Rushmore & the Black Hills
. They cover the basics and with your map you should be able to navigate the Black Hills really well.
There are many tourist information areas throughout the area that offer free maps and information too.
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The Custer Peak snowmobile lot is just south of Deadwood on Hwy 385. It is just 1/2 mile off the highway on Forest Service Road 216 and is located next Mystic Hills.
This lot connects you to trail 7 of the Black Hills Snowmobile Trail System. A trail that has 350 miles of groomed trails and over a million acres of off-trail riding.
The trail map is found at many businesses throughout the Black Hills. Or, visit the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks website for downloadable maps and more information. Trails are open December 1st to March 15th.
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Have you ever wondered where to get a great burger in the middle of the Black Hills?
The Sugar Shack is a great place to get good eats when you’re playing in the central Black Hills. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at great prices and good sized portions.
We stopped at the Sugar Shack for burgers and we were impressed. These are huge burgers. I ordered the bacon double cheeseburger because I was really hungry. That burger was so big I could hardly finish it.
They make the burgers with generous half pound patties and for just a little extra you can add fries and/or go deluxe (tomato, onion and lettuce).
I love the atmosphere of the Sugar Shack. It is definitely a “mom and pop†joint. You can sit at a bar that faces the grill and chat with the cook while your meal is being prepared. There is also a small dining room where you can soak in the comfortable feeling of the room. There is also a large outdoor patio, perfect for that summer time burger.
How do you get there?
The Sugar Shack is located on US Hwy 385. It is south of Deadwood about 20 miles or from Rapid City it is just a few miles north of the junction of Hwy 385 and Hwy 44.
More good food in the Black Hills
If you saved room for dessert don’t forget that the Chubby Chipmunk is just 20 miles straight up the road in Deadwood and they have the best truffles you may ever taste. And, if you’re in Deadwood Mustang Sally’s serves up a great burger too.
If you are closer to Hill City, I’ve never had a bad meal at the Alpine Inn.
What’s your favorite place to have a burger in the Black Hills?
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