Deadwood and Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway - June 2017


After spending four nights in the Black Hills, headed toward Yellowstone by heading north out of Custer to Deadwood then onto the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway before stopping in Gillette, WY for the night.  On Hwy 385 we had an unexpected stop as the beauty of the Pactola Reservoir Complex caught our eye.  There is also a National Park Forest Service building just of the road and the kids were able to get stamps for their Passport books here from the Black Hills National Forest.

We made it to Deadwood and had time to go to the Mt. Moriah Cemetery before lunch.  The legendary cowboy "Wild Bill" Hickok is buried here along with his sidekick "Calamity Jane" among other famous Black Hills gold diggers.  Wild Bill was shot in the back playing poker and it's said that the hand he was holding was two pairs - Aces and Eights - which now is known as "Dead Man's Hand." 




 

There are quite a few other museums in Deadwood that sounded awesome including Adams Museum and House but we didn't have time to visit them.  We ate a quick lunch at a local park and then headed to Spearfish Canyon.

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway takes you through a gorge about 14 miles long.  There are multiple waterfalls along the drive with overlooks and trails.  We stopped and parked at the Roughlock Falls Nature Area and went for a little hike.  It was beautiful scenery and a nice place to stretch our legs.







By this time it was getting late in the afternoon and we still needed to get to our hotel in Gillette.  We didn't have a chance to see Spearfish Falls but we did drive by Bridal Veil Falls which is right on the Byway.  We stayed at the Arbuckle Lodge  and would highly recommend it.  The kids all remember that hotel with its awesome pool, huge lobby (with games for the kids), and double bunk beds.   And Dad found a special place there too!




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