There is never a shortage of fun in Deadwood.  This little town in the the Northern Black Hills of South Dakota has always been a destination for excitement seekers. 2013 is going to be another great year to visit with plenty of events planned.

February 1st and 2nd is theISOC Snocross Championships

Mardi Gras is planned for February 8th and 9th.  This two day event is all about parades, beads and good times.  Shake off your winter blues and celebrate Mardi Gras Deadwood style.

Saint Patrick’s Day is great fun in Deadwood.  Two days to celebrate your inner Irish March 15th, 16th and 17th 2013.  Bag pipes and plenty of green beer.

Wild Bill Hickok Days – June 14th and 15th 2013, a whole bunch of fun.  Free main street concerts, fast draw competitions and National Dock Dogs!

Days of 76 – Attention rodeo fans mark July 23rd through the 27th on your 2013 Calendar.  Almost a whole week packed with rodeos and the best parade you may every see.

Sturgis Bike Week 2013.  If an iron horse is more your thing, plan to visit for the motorcycle rally.  Bikes everywhere!. August 3rd through the 11th 2013.

Kool Deadwood Nights.  Amazing Classic Cars everywhere, free concerts and great weather – August 22nd through the 25th 2013.

Deadwood Jam.  Great music in the heart of Deadwood.  An outdoor concert you don’t want to miss September 13th and 14th.

Oktoberfest.  Roll out the barrel and enjoy some bratwurst.  October 4th and 5th 2013 and don’t miss the wiener dog races.

Deadweird – celebrate Halloween Deadwood Style.  Amazing costumes everywhere.  Just because you are and adult doesn’t mean you can’t dress up for Halloween.  Mark October 25th and 26th 2013 on your calendar now.

Ii is fun to visit Deadwood any time of year.  There are plenty of attractions and it is close to outdoor fun as well.  Spearfish Canyon, the Mikelson Trail and Centenial Trail are all very close.  The whole town is surrounded by the Black Hills National Forest.

Deadwood on Dwellable

Learn more about the events at the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce website.

Community Caves is one of my favorite places to visit in Spearfish Canyon.  It looks different in every season.  It is just a short hike off the road but you’ll feel like you’re well off the beaten path.

The area is also referred to as Bobcat or Wildcat Cavern.  No matter what you call it – it is awe inspiring. 

Once you cross the creek the trail is very steep.  A walking stick would be a great idea.  And, in the winter Kahtoola MICROspikes are a must.  The spikes ensure you spend your time taking in the amazing beauty of Spearfish Canyon, not falling on your butt.

While this is is one off my favorite places there are plenty of other spots in the canyon you must see.  Checkout 11th Hour Gulch and if you have it in you – climb to the top for a view of the Dice.

Don’t miss the popular Devils Bathtub or Iron Creek.   If you are like me a trip to Community Caves will make you want to explore Spearfish Canyon more.

Even though I’ve live about 20 minutes from Spearfish Canyon for about 10 years, I still feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface.  There are so many neat places to explore.  Whether hiking in the canyon or just driving the scenic byway, you’ll find plenty to look at.

I had only known two large rocks in the stream near 11th Hour Gulch as Kissing Rocks, but heard on Facebook that some people also call them “The Dice.”  I’d have to say the Dice is my new favorite name for them.  I can only image the sound and shaking that occurred when these large boulders came rolling down the hill.

There is a pullout for parking your vehicle near here and it is a unique place to do some exploring.  If you are adventurous enough to climb to the top of 11th Hour Gulch – you are rewarded with a  great view of the area.

Keep in mind your abilities when exploring Spearfish Canyon.  Many areas are steep with loose rocks.  Most people with moderate hiking experience should be fine, but just be mindful of the terrain.  And, carry a good map like the Black Hills National Forest Map Pack: Topographic Trail Maps.

There is no shortage of great South Dakota made food.  These tasty Red Dog Wieners are another great product from the Bluebird Locker in Delmont.

I picked these up when I visited the store in Delmont (it is right next door to the historic Onion House).  The selection of meat products is a carnivore’s dream.  The German Sausage, Liver Sausage, Brats and Bacon are just some of my favorites.

These natural casing hot dogs almost have a sausage like flavor.  My family loved them.  If you are planning a trip to the locker, swing by Dimock while you are in the area and pick up some cheese too.

What is your favorite South Dakota made food?

The Rimrock Trail (Trail #79) in Spearfish Canyon is great day hike for those people wanting to spend some time in the forest.  The trail is actually two loop trails – one loop is about 4.5 miles and the other is just over 3 miles.  If you hike it in a figure eight pattern like I did, you will hike just under 8 miles.  There is an elevation changed of about 700 feet when you travel from the creek side to the top.

There are several access points for the hike and a portion of the trail is shared with the Little Spearfish Trail.  Plus, there is a spur from the Old Baldy Trail that connects to the Rimrock Trail.  Other than the Old Baldy Spur, you will find the access points all along Forest Service Road 222 (Roughlock Falls Road).

Trailheads/access points

Lower Loop Trailhead – The first place you’ll find on Forest Service Road 222 when traveling west is the this small pullout.  There is a gate and small sign showing you the trail.

Dances with Wolves Film Site – This area is on the lower loop portion of the trail

Rod and Gun Campground – If you look at the back of the sign at the entry of the campground, you will find a small map of the Rimrock Trail.  The lower loop trail goes right through the campground.

1997 Holiday Tree – This is the site where the 1997 White House Christmas tree was cut.  It also appears to be the site of an old homestead, there is an old root cellar.  This part of the upper loop

Ranger Draw – Part of the Upper Loop and shared with the Little Spearfish Trail

Timon Campground – No official trailhead here, however the trail goes right along the edge of the campground.

Little Spearfish Trail Trailhead – From here you can hike the Upper Loop of the Rimrock Trail or the 6 mile Little Spearfish Trail.

What you’ll see

This is a nice trail to take in all that Spearfish Canyon has to offer.  The lush riparian vegetation along Little Spearfish Creek gives way to meadows and stands of Ponderosa, quaking aspen and paper birch.  This is a great place to enjoy the Black Hills National Forest.

Be Prepared

Know what you need when hiking in the Spearfish Canyon area.  Always have plenty of water and snacks.  Weather can change quickly, dress accordingly.  Have a good map, like the Black Hills National Forest Map Pack: Topographic Trail Maps.  These maps have the trails and trailheads clearly marked, they are my favorite.

The sign reads:

Camp F-6(Roubaix):  100 yards N of Lake entrance; W of road.  Companies: 792—6/3/33 – 5/15/33 6/1/40; 10/1/40 – 10/11/40; 2759V – (Detachment from Park Creek) – 5/15/35 – 10/18/35.

The civilian Conservation Corps was a Federal work-relief program during the Great Depression.  From 1933 to 1942.  The CCC provided work for 31,097 jobless men in South Dakota – about 22,000 enrollees (single men aged 17-25), about 1,700 veterans, 4554 American Indians and 2,834 supervisors. The U.S. Army provided 200 – man camps, food, clothing, medical care and pay. and educational, recreational and religious programs.  The Office of Indian Affairs provided similar services for units on Indian reservations.

The U.S. Forest Service supervised Camp F-6.  The work of Company 792 included tree thinning, pruning and planting; fire prevention and suppression; rodent and insect control; grazing land improvement; and recreational development.  Enrollees removed dead and diseased growth, built fire trails and removed flammable debris from hundreds of acres.  They developed scores of springs, built stock dams and fences, and constructed Roubaix Dam along with a beach, swimming area, bathhouse and campground.  The detachment of WWI veterans in Company 2759V built residences in Deadwood for the forest supervisor and assistant.

You’ll find this Historical Marker on US Highway 385 about 20 minutes south of Deadwood.  Roubaix Lake is still a popular recreation spot in the Black Hills.  The campground boasts 56 campsites.

Jenney Gulch is a great picnic area at Pactola Reservoir.  It is on the west side of the lake near the small town of Silver City.  It is often spelled “Jenny Gulch” but the correct spelling has two “e’s.”

The picnic area has about eight tables and (last time I was there) no toilet.  But, people don’t go there for the tables or toilets – they go there for the great views of the lake (and cliff jumping).  This is just a beautiful area and a great place to canoe, kayak or use your SUP.

Trail 40 cuts through the picnic area as well.  Trail 40 begins at Deerfield Lake, meets the Mickelson Trail at Daugherty Gulch.  Then it follows Slate Creek to Rapid Creek on to Sliver City, Jenney Gulch and meets up with the Centennial Trail at the Deer Creek Trailhead 18 miles from the beginning.

The trails and roads are clearly marked on Black Hills – Northeast, South Dakota Trails Illustrated Map #751 .  This is a great reference to have no matter is you are just driving or hiking.  The picnic areas and trailheads are clearly marked.  I recommend you always have a good map when you travel in the Black Hills.

That time of year is quickly approaching in Deadwood.  The time of year when the motorcycles clear out and the little town fills with classic cars and people.

Kool Deadwood Nights is just around the corner.  August 23rd thru the 26th 2012.  Four Days of Fun!

Thursday August 23rd 2012

Registration begins and there will be a sock hop in the Information Center Parking lot.

Friday August 24th 2012

Registration will continue, escorted tours through the Black Hills, Owners BBQ and FREE Main Street Concerts featuring BJ Thomas!

Saturday August 25th 2012

Judging, auctions, poker runs and more free Concerts featuring Orleans!

Sunday August 26th 2012

Parade, show and shine and awards

Make your way to Deadwood for some classic fun.  This is the biggest event all year and it is fun for all ages.

After Kool Deadwood Nights, the Deadwood Jam is just around the corner in mid-September.

Hiking in Spearfish Canyon is much easier with a map. Do you want to do some exploring of Spearfish Canyon on foot?  Good, that is a great way enjoy all the canyon has to offer.  The tricky part is finding all the great hikes.

Anytime I’m out exploring the Black Hills, I carry my copies of Black Hills National Forest Map Pack: Topographic Trail Maps.  The maps are great.  They are waterproof and many trails and trailheads are market on them.  Plus, they have both the Mickelson Trail and Centennial Trail marked in detail.  The major trails for hiking in Spearfish Canyon are marked too.

The trails that are not found on the above map, I’ve included in my interactive Black Hills Map.  The map has hiking icons, click on them and a picture of the hike appears.  Click on the photo and your are taken to a related post with a trail description and detailed directions.

View Enjoy the Black Hills in a larger map

My favorite hikes in the canyon include:

Community Caves – also know as wildcat caves, a short hike – but so neat.

Devils Bathtub – A great place to beat the heat on a hot day.  Amazing limestone walls

11th Hour Gulch – Just on the Scenic Byway and a cool place to explore.

Iron Creek – you can hike this all the way to Iron Creek Lake if you want.

76 Trail – great view of the top of the canyon

Little Spearfish Falls – short hike to see a waterfall

Roughlock Trail – One mile trail, great for children

Get out and explore the Black Hills, The Black Hills National Forest is over one million acres of public land for you to explore!