A Personal Travel Journal

Deadwood & the Black Hills

An Expedition Westward into the Dakota Territory

June 2025  ·  Three Days

Expedition Overview

Travellers

Ben & Wife

Departure

Friday, 8:00 AM

Return

Sunday Eve

Journey

~5 hrs drive

Lodging

Spearfish Airbnb

Budget Goal

~$500 total

Route of Travel

Ports of Call

Black Hills

Spearfish

S. Dakota

Wild West

Deadwood

Est. 1876

Scenic Route

The Canyon

19 Miles

Historic Site

Mt. Moriah

Cemetery

The Grand Itinerary

Friday — Drive Day

The Journey Commences

  1. 8:00 in the Morning

    Depart — Leave Home

    Get on the road early to beat the weekend rush. The open road awaits.

  2. 2:00 in the Afternoon

    Arrive in Spearfish

    Check into the Airbnb and unpack. Settle in before the adventure begins.

  3. 2:30 in the Afternoon

    Explore Downtown Spearfish

    Stroll Main Street and peruse the local artisan shops. A fine introduction to the territory.

  4. 4:30 in the Afternoon

    Provisions & Grocery Shop

    Stop by the local market to stock up on weekend room snacks for the evenings ahead.

  5. 6:30 in the Evening

    Dinner — Killian's Food & Drink

    Craft beers and casual burgers in a relaxed downtown Spearfish atmosphere. A worthy first supper.

Saturday — The Main Day

Deadwood — City of Fortune & Legend

  1. 9:15 in the Morning

    Drive to Deadwood

    Head up into the mountains. Park in the ramp directly behind Main Street.

    No Cost
  2. 10:00 in the Morning

    Early Lunch — Mustang Sally's

    Fuel up with burgers and fresh hot coffee before the day's explorations.

    ~$35–$45
  3. 11:00 in the Morning

    Main Street Shopping Block

    Madame Peacock's, Doc & Alice, and Deadwood Outfitters — in-store bars on offer while she browses the merchandise.

    ~$15 (drinks)
  4. 1:30 in the Afternoon

    Adams Museum — Historic Break

    Step off Main Street to examine the enormous local gold nuggets and fascinating artifact exhibits from the Gold Rush era.

    $5 suggested donation
  5. 3:30 in the Afternoon

    Chubby Chipmunk Hand-Dipped Chocolates

    Award-winning truffles, renowned throughout the territory. A most civilized interlude.

    ~$15–$25
  6. 5:00 in the Evening

    Pre-Show Patio Drinks — Silverado Franklin

    Outdoor patio drinks to prepare the spirits before the evening's theatrical entertainments commence.

    ~$15–$25
  7. 5:45 in the Evening

    Deadwood Alive — Street Shows Begin

    Secure a vantage on the brick sidewalks for the celebrated outdoor shootout performance.

    Gratis
  8. 6:15 in the Evening

    Saloon No. 10 — Secure Your Position

    Enter the legendary saloon, order your libations, and claim ground before the establishment fills to capacity.

    ~$25–$35
  9. 7:00 in the Evening

    The Shooting of Wild Bill Hickok

    The legendary 30-minute historical re-enactment performed within the very walls of the infamous Saloon No. 10.

    Gratis
  10. 7:35 in the Evening

    Capture of Jack McCall

    Step outside the saloon doors to witness the dramatic street arrest of the villain himself.

    Gratis
  11. 8:00 in the Evening

    Trial of Jack McCall — Eagle Bar Theatre

    A walk down the street to the Eagle Bar Theatre for the historic, comedic theatrical trial. Justice — of a sort — shall be served.

    $10 per person · $20 total
  12. After the Play

    Late-Night Provisions

    Grab a quick pizza slice or pub basket. A light repast — no grand dinner is required this evening.

Sunday — Wrap Up

Canyon, Cemetery & a Farewell Feast

  1. 8:30 in the Morning

    Breakfast — Millstone Family Restaurant

    Classic eggs, pancakes, hash browns, and coffee. A proper morning constitution before the final day's adventures.

  2. 9:45 in the Morning

    Spearfish Canyon Scenic Drive

    The breathtaking 19-mile highway south through ancient limestone cliffs. Stop at Bridal Veil Falls and Roughlock Falls for photographs — memories to last a lifetime.

    No Cost
  3. 11:45 in the Morning

    Mount Moriah Cemetery

    Pay respects at the final resting places of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. History lies quietly here upon the hillside.

    $2 per person
  4. 1:00 in the Afternoon

    Afternoon Rest & Free Exploration

    Return to the lodging to rest and change into fine attire, or conduct a final light exploration of the surrounding environs.

  5. 4:30 in the Evening

    Farewell Dinner — Jake's Fine Dining

    The grand finale. Fine dining within the historic Midnight Star building — premium Midwest steaks and an excellent wine list. A worthy conclusion to the expedition.

    ~$90–$150 for two

Financial Ledger

Expenditure Estimated Cost
Airbnb Lodging (2 nights) Budget TBD
Fuel — Round Trip (~700 mi) ~$60–$80
Killian's — Friday Dinner ~$35–$50
Saturday — Lunch, Drinks & Shopping ~$90–$120
Adams Museum ~$10
Chocolates & Treats ~$15–$25
Evening Shows & Saloon ~$50–$75
Sunday — Breakfast & Cemetery ~$25–$35
Jake's Fine Dining — Farewell Dinner ~$90–$150
Groceries & Sundries ~$30–$50
Estimated Grand Total ~$405–$595

Field Notes & Counsel

On the Saturday Shows The Deadwood Alive performances run June through August. The Saloon No. 10 show is free but space is finite — arrive at 6:15 to be assured a worthy vantage point before the evening's drama unfolds.
On Spearfish Canyon The 19-mile canyon drive is magnificent at any hour, but morning light through the limestone walls is particularly spectacular. Roughlock Falls requires a short walk; Bridal Veil Falls is visible from the road. Both are essential stops.
On Parking in Deadwood The parking ramp directly behind Main Street is your most convenient ally. Deadwood's Main Street is compact and entirely walkable — all Saturday activities lie within comfortable strolling distance of one another.
On Jake's Fine Dining Located within Kevin Costner's Midnight Star building. Reservations are advisable for a Sunday evening, particularly during peak summer season. Dress the occasion accordingly.
Black Hills 2025 Dakota