Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota

Originally, a great sea covered the area where Spearfish Canyon now lies. When the waters started to subside, the canyon was carved out by water eroding away the softer rock. The land was also pushed up from underneath by volcanic action. After many years, the water carved out the channel we have come to call "Spearfish Canyon".

Spearfish Canyon is full of Ponderosa and Spruce Pine trees. The pine trees are adept at finding any little crevice or crack and putting down roots. Some of them look as if they are growing right out of the rocks themselves! The banks of Spearfish Creek support Aspen, Birch and Oak trees.