Black Hills State University is located in beautiful Spearfish, SD, the hub of the Northern Black Hills with a population of over 12,500. Located on I-90, 10 minutes from the Wyoming border, Spearfish is only 46 miles from Rapid City, 65 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and is an hour drive from Devils Tower and the Badlands of South Dakota. 

Spearfish Canyon, one of the oldest and most scenic canyons in the west, is a local favorite for hiking, biking, and sightseeing.

As the second largest city in Western South Dakota, Spearfish offers a wide variety of restaurants, hotels, specialty stores, historic landmarks, movie theaters, and other entertainment outlets. Students can enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills while skiing, mountain biking, fishing, rock climbing, and hiking. 

Spearfish News Articles

Livability.com “The Best Home Base Cities for Adventure Enthusiasts” Spearfish ranks #3

Architectural Digest “The 25 Best Small Towns in America”   

Best Value Schools “Top 20 Cheap Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction Degree Programs” BHSU ranks #6

Best Value Schools “Top 50 Cheap Business Administration Degree Online Programs” (Bachelor’s) BHSU ranks #9

Outside Magazine 25 Best Towns (Where to Live Now, Fit, Fun & Adventure Ready) “Spearfish: Best Makeover from Pit Stop to Playground”