When it comes to the best drives to see the change of colors, locals and visitors alike often head to Spearfish Canyon. And while the colors along Highway 14A are often gorgeous in the fall, the traffic can get a little more congested than we’re used to in the Black Hills.
Fortunately, there are many other stretches of road in the area where you can peep some leaves. So, when you’re itching to see nature in all its splendor, give one of these drives a try:
- Vanocker Canyon isn’t just a great trip on a motorcycle during our warmer seasons; it also boasts some great lookout spots to see the leaves morph from green to gold. As an added bonus, if you tack Nemo Road onto your drive, you’ll be treated to some more foliage and might even catch sight of an elk or two.
- The drive to Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower outside Deadwood gives you the chance to see plenty of aspen and birch. Pack a picnic to enjoy where the trailhead to the tower begins, and bring your hiking shoes and your camera for the mile-long hike. You’ll get some amazing views of the surrounding Hills and even a chance to gaze across the border into North Dakota.
- The 10-plus miles you’ll drive along Rochford Road will mostly be gravel, but the great colors from trees right along the road will make it all worth it. And if you make the trek on a Sunday afternoon, be sure to stop for a beverage or a burger at the Moonshine Gulch Saloon. Locals frequently gather there on Sunday afternoons for an impromptu jam session.
No matter where the road takes you this fall, we’ve got great specials on Camry, RAV4, and Tacoma all September long!