Spearfish Canyon provides a gateway to many outdoor recreation activities. Sightseers, fishermen and picnickers are joined by bicyclers, joggers. and walkers in the summer months. hunters in the {all and cross-country skiers and snowmobilers (though not allowed directly in the Canyon) in the winter.

The cause for the diverse vegetative mixture found in the canyon is not certain. It is theorized it may be due to the centralized location of the Black Hills and various climatic changes in North America over thousands of years. For example, when the climate of North America was much cooler, the Northern Forest extended farther south and west. As the climate warmed, this forest gave way to the Northern Great Plains except in small areas, such as north slopes or cool, high elevation canyons.

The diversity in plant life allows approximately 130 species of birds to call the Canyon home at least part of each year.

The most common year-round stream related residents are Dippers and Belted Kingfishers. Dippers are sooty gray in color and characteristically run along underwater collecting insects. Kingfishers are bluish-gray and white with a large head and long. thick bill; they tend to hover above the water before plunging in after fish. The Kingfisher can usually be found near Canyon ponds.

A variety of broad-leafed flowering plants and grasses - including the Pasque flower, state flower of South Dakota - may be found at this site and throughout the canyon drive.

From Interpretive Stop 18.7 to stop 23.4, habitat is dominated by the evergreen (coniferous) trees but also contains many trees that loose their leaves (deciduous) in the fall and winter. This mix provides the most diverse habitat and contains the greatest number of bird species.

A rare Ruby-Crowned Kinglet - may be sighted. Bohemian Waxwings. Evening and Pine Grosbeaks are occasional and rare winter residents.