Hippies in South Dakota? We’ll be honest – we had no idea! But the website Thrillist.com named Spearfish as the “Most Hippie Town In South Dakota,” and that got us curious. We had to check this out for ourselves, and after much deliberation, we agree. Kind of. Read on to find out more…
Spearfish has a population of around 11,500 people. Nestled in the Black Hills, it’s surrounded by natural beauty. But is it a haven for hippies? Let’s take a look.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr
The Thrillist article sites Spearfish Canyon as one of the main reasons it chose Spearfish as the Most Hippie Town in the state. Hippies are known for their love of natural beauty, and let’s be honest - Spearfish has plenty of that to go around.
Visit Spearfish/Facebook
In downtown Spearfish on a Friday night in the summer, you’ll find a lot of people hanging out, listening to music. Downtown Friday Nights isn’t exactly Woodstock, but it is really cool.
Downtown Friday Nights/Facebook
Some of the concertgoers might even be wearing tie-dye t-shirts.
Downtown Friday Nights/Facebook
Happy Spearfish residents also gather for a large community celebration every summer at Festival in the Park. Hippies are big on community, and Spearfish definitely has a thriving, community feel.
Visit Spearfish/Facebook
Everyone knows that hippies are active and love the outdoors. In the summertime, people in Spearfish do a lot of hiking and biking in the beautiful Black Hills.
Visit Spearfish/Facebook
Sturgis is just about 20 miles from Spearfish, so of course the town gets a lot of motorcycle enthusiasts. Are these hippies, or Harley riders…or both?
Visit Spearfish/Facebook
If natural beauty is the place for hippies to hang out, then Spearfish Canyon is definitely Hippie Haven.
Visit Spearfish/Facebook
In the winter…wait, do hippies go snowmobiling? Maybe they do!
Visit Spearfish/Facebook
Well, hippies definitely hike, and Roughlock Falls is gorgeous even in the winter.
Pico Gallo/Alltrails We recently wrote about this breathtaking hike.
The Thrillist article notes that Spearfish is home to Black Hills State University, which, “gives the Downtown a rustic, mellow feel.”
Black Hills State University/Facebook
University students definitely add plenty of youthful energy to Spearfish. But we think they’re more likely to be hanging out, looking at their laptops and studying than smoking weed and staging protests.
Black Hills State University/Facebook
Another place to find hippies? Anywhere that has fresh fruits and vegetables. Like the Spearfish Farmers Market in the summer…
Spearfish Farmers Market/Facebook
…or the Good Earth Natural Food Store in the winter. If you’re looking for fresh, healthy, locally-grown food, Spearfish is a good place to be.
The next time you visit Spearfish, keep your eye out for hippies. Apparently, this is the best place in the state to spot ’em!
Visit Spearfish/Facebook
What do you think? Does Spearfish qualify as a “hippie town?”
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr
Visit Spearfish/Facebook
Downtown Friday Nights/Facebook
Pico Gallo/Alltrails
We recently wrote about this breathtaking hike.
Black Hills State University/Facebook
Spearfish Farmers Market/Facebook
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