Roughlock Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated

Roughlock Falls is a waterfall in Lawrence County, South Dakota, about 8.8 miles west of Lead. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Lawrence County, SD

Nearest town

Lead (8.8 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★★ 4.8 from 127 reviews

Crowds

Moderate

Access

Easy access reported

Coordinates

44.34989, -103.94301

USGS topo

Savoy quad

Getting there

Roughlock Falls sits about 8.8 miles west of Lead in Lawrence County. Google lists the address as South Lawrence, SD 57754. Reviewers describe the approach with "walk to falls".

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Roughlock Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

The Black Hills falls lie largely within the Black Hills National Forest and state-managed areas, with Thunderhead Falls a private, fee-based attraction. Spearfish Canyon is narrow, and parking at the trailheads near Savoy fills on summer and autumn weekends. Limestone and wet rock along the canyon trails are slippery, and the creeks are cold. Black Hills canyons are prone to flash flooding during intense summer thunderstorms; Rapid City's 1972 flood remains one of the deadliest in the region's history, a reminder to avoid streambeds during heavy rain. In the southern Hills, watch for rattlesnakes in warm weather. At Falls Park in Sioux Falls, stay off the rocks and out of the river, where currents are strong.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Roughlock Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of South Dakota. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 44.34989, -103.94301 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Camera and a small tripod. Visitors have shared 453 photos of it; a tripod lets you shoot silky water in low light.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

Spring is usually the best time for South Dakota's falls. In the Black Hills, snowmelt and spring rains raise the creeks from April through June, and May and June combine good flows with green canyons. Spearfish Canyon is especially popular in late September and early October, when aspen and birch turn gold against the limestone walls. Summer brings the heaviest tourist traffic to the Black Hills, along with afternoon thunderstorms that can briefly swell streams. In winter, Spearfish Canyon's falls partly freeze into ice formations, and snow makes the canyon quiet and striking. Cascade Falls, fed by warm springs, is pleasant even in cooler months, while the Big Sioux at Sioux Falls is most impressive during spring runoff. 127 Google reviews suggest steady but manageable traffic outside peak weekends.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Roughlock Falls holds a 4.8-star average across 127 Google reviews, and 83% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the number 2 waterfall by review count in Lawrence County. Visitors have shared 453 photos.

The topics that come up most in reviews: low cascading fallswalk to fallsstreamsnot too crowdedpretty areatroutamazing viewswildlifepicnicrelaxing

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

Roughlock Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on February 13, 1980, and it appears on the USGS Savoy 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Breakneck Gulch (valley, 0.4 mi), Little Spearfish Creek (stream, 0.7 mi), Red Lake (lake, 1.2 mi), and Dry Gulch (valley, 1.5 mi).

Black Hills. Spearfish Canyon in the northern Black Hills is the state's waterfall showcase, a deep limestone canyon followed by a scenic byway. Bridal Veil Falls is visible from a roadside pullout, while Spearfish Falls and Roughlock Falls are reached by short trails near the community of Savoy; Roughlock Falls lies in a state-managed nature area on Little Spearfish Creek. Near Rapid City, Pennington County's falls include Thunderhead Falls, which drops inside an old mining tunnel as a private attraction. In the far southern Hills, Cascade Falls near Hot Springs is fed by warm springs, giving it a mild temperature and a popular swimming hole.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Roughlock Falls about 8.8 miles west of Lead is rated 4.8 out of 5 by 127 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Roughlock Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.