An idyllic setting in a side canyon to Spearfish Canyon makes Roughlock Falls one of the Black Hills most beautiful areas and also one the area’s most-photographed spots. Created by Little Spearfish Creek, the creek flows down a spectacular chasm, then tumbles off a 50-foot limestone ledge in a series of lacy cascades.
Pioneers traveling down the canyon used to lower their wagons down the drop by roughlocking the wheels to prevent them from rolling freely – hence the name of the fall.
We pulled into Lost Dutchman State Park last Sunday. Our first experience wasn’t a good one. I was helping Howard back-in our site and got Cholla cactus needles stuck in my heel. Of course, I was wearing sandals. What else does one wear in warm weather while traveling? š Howard, while connecting the electricity and water, got needles stuck in his hand.
Our site,Ā number 82 has a Saguaro Cactus on each side of the paved pad. I was wondering to myself just how much it would cost us if we hit one of them. Thankfully that didn’t happen.
Rambling Rose with the Flatirons in the background.
In the days since we arrived, we have had a few more run-ins with cactus needles. A needle went through my tennis shoe and poked me in the foot. I couldn’t pull it out by hand. I can’t believe how hard the needle is. Today, Riley Ann got a Cholla cluster stuck near her mouth. Being the puppy that she is she bites on everything even cactus. š¦
Last week as we walked the other loops in the park we noticed the sites in the “back” loops are much nicer.Ā Plus they aren’t as closely spaced as the first loop that we are in. I tried to see if we could move, but the park has been full.
We are in the loop labeled 75-104. The main campground with the better sites is labeled 1-135. If you want to camp at Lost Dutchman I would recommend one of the sites in the Main Campground. Ā However, be aware a few don’t have electricity.
Path to one of the many trails that lead to the Flatiron.
The scenery here at Lost Dutchman is beautiful. When the evening sun hits the flatirons it is gorgeous. As we sit drinking coffee looking out the window facing west and as the sun rises over the flatirons in the east we can watch the sun line gradually making its way toward us.Ā
Those nasty Cholla.
The weather has finally warmed up into the ’70s with cool nights, but most days there is a strong breeze. One that blows those cactus needles around.
The park offers a lot of nice features like this Coyote Sun Dial. There are rock gardens, picnic areas, a dog park, plaques describing the park’s history and its inhabitants, and more.Ā
