Fall River Falls
If you're passing
Is it plungeworthy?
A segmented on Fall River.
The details
- Type
- Segmented
- Watercourse
- Fall River
- Coordinates
- 43.40131, -103.40951
About Fall River Falls
Fall River Falls is a segmented in South Dakota, on Fall River.
It's fullest after rain, and flow can drop off during dry spells — plan around recent weather.
Plungeworthy rates Fall River Falls 4.6/10 — if you're passing. The score weighs its scale, how confidently it's mapped, and its character.
What you'll find
About 50 feet of warm, spring-fed river falling over a sandstone outcrop in Fall River Canyon outside Hot Springs. The Fall River emerges at 89°F and never freezes hard — hence the town's name — and the ruins of a 1907 hydroelectric flume and its white powerhouse are still visible in the canyon.
This is a look-don't-touch waterfall. Viewing is from a donation-supported gazebo above the falls; the land around the falls itself is posted private property.
Respect that line for more than legal reasons: a submerged cave under the falls creates a whirlpool that has drowned multiple people, including three in a single August 1995 incident. On-site signs tell the story.
Getting there
- Trailhead
- Park at Saint Johns Lutheran Church, about 0.75 mile west of the Highway 79 / Fall River Road intersection outside Hot Springs
- Parking
- Church lot
- Road
- Paved highway, short walk
- Heads up
- Don't confuse this with the Fall River Freedom Trail, the separate paved riverwalk in town.
When to go
Year-round — the 89°F spring source keeps the river running and largely ice-free.
It's a quick gazebo stop, not a hike; pair it with Hot Springs or Cascade Falls.
Rules & fees
- Fee / pass
- No fee; the site is maintained by donation — drop something in at the gazebo
- Dogs
- Owner's discretion — church-adjacent private land
- Hours
- Daylight
- Camping
- None
- Warnings
- The falls base is posted no-trespassing, and the whirlpool below has a documented drowning history. View from the gazebo only.
Researched from Waymarking — Fall River Falls · Black Hills Hiking, Biking and More — Fall River Falls. Conditions change — verify before you drive. Been to Fall River Falls recently? Post a conditions report below.
Where it is
Planning a visit? We want your photo.
Fall River Falls doesn't have a photo yet. If you make the trip, send one to hello@plungeworthy.com and we'll publish it here with credit to you.
Before you go
The pin marks the feature, not a trailhead or a legal route in. Some sit on private land or need a real hike, and conditions change with season and rain. Check local access, don't trespass, and never enter water — hot or cold — where it isn't safe.
Common questions
Where is Fall River Falls?
Fall River Falls is a waterfall in South Dakota, at 43.40131, -103.40951.
Is Fall River Falls worth visiting?
If you're passing — Plungeworthy rates it 4.6/10.
Gear for the trip
As an Amazon Associate, Plungeworthy earns from qualifying purchases.
