7th Ranch RV Camp, Garryowen MT to Spearfish City Campground, Spearfish SD

September 29, 2025

We left 7th Ranch early this morning around 8:30 AM MT to head to our next campground, about four hours away. While leaving the campground, we spotted a Magpie on a fence post near the Ranch entrance and got a photo of it.

The interstate from Montana to South Dakota was smooth with minimal traffic, and even though the views were similar to what we saw on the way to the Ranch, we still loved the beautiful scenery. Montana has been our favorite state so far, and while we didn’t see much of it, what we did see was absolutely breathtaking.

The couple we met at Mountain View Campground in Sundance, WY, told us about their visit to Spearfish Canyon and how amazing it was. With two nights to spare before our reservations at Game Lodge, we decided to check it out. We’re so glad they mentioned it because it truly is incredible. I looked into nearby campgrounds and found Spearfish City Campground. After reading the reviews, we booked two nights, and upon arrival, we completely agree with all the positive feedback and could see ourselves making a return trip to the area.

Spearfish Canyon, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is a stunningly deep and narrow gorge carved by Spearfish Creek. Its limestone palisades, older than the Grand Canyon, are awe-inspiring but much closer together. The towering 1,000-foot walls offer incredible views and feature highlights like Roughneck Falls, Spearfish Falls, and the Savoy Pond area. Visitors can enjoy birdwatching, wildlife spotting, trout fishing, and relaxing picnics amidst this natural beauty.

After checking in, we decided we still had time to drive the 20-mile Spearfish Canyon scenic byway. As we entered the byway, we were immediately awestruck by the stunning scenery. Partway through, we noticed several vehicles pulled over on the roadside and assumed there was wildlife nearby. After parking and stepping out, we spotted Mountain Goats on the cliffs above Spearfish. Fortunately, Ron had brought our camera, and we captured some incredible photos of these amazing animals skillfully navigating the steep, rocky slopes. On one outcropping, we saw a baby goat with its mother. A local observer told us the mother is called ‘Broken Horn’ and mentioned a public Facebook page with photos of the canyon, the Mountain Goats, and other wildlife in the area.

We traveled along the way, stopping often to snap photos of the stunning cliffs, vibrant fall foliage, and the three waterfalls. The water is crystal clear and evidently cold, home to Rainbow, Brown, and Brook Trout. There was plenty of fly fishing happening in the stream, which is strictly catch and release. We spotted two deer crossing the road but didn’t see any of the resident Golden or Bald Eagles. A unique bird native to this area is the American Dipper, an aquatic songbird known for its bobbing movements on rocks. We haven’t managed to get a photo of it yet, but maybe tomorrow. At the end of the byway, we spotted a sign indicating that the famous movie ‘Dances with Wolves’ was filmed just over two miles north of the canyon.

Rain began to fall as we made our way back to the campground, and by the time we reached our campsite it was coming down hard with hail mixed in with the rain. The camp host mentioned they needed rain since there hasn’t been any since mid-August. I told her we drove through some on the way, and she said, I hope you brought some with you – and I guess we did. Tomorrow morning, we’re heading to the legendary Deadwood, a place filled with Wild West history.