Black Hills Airport-Clyde Ice Field, Spearfish, SD.
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Black Hills Airport-Clyde Ice Field (SPF, KSPF), also known as the Clyde Ice Field, is a non-towered airport located 3 miles east of Spearfish, in Lawrence County, South Dakota. The City of Spearfish owns this field, and there are three runways as follows:
| Designation | Dimensions | Surface | Condition |
| 13/31 | 6,401′ x 75′ | Asphalt | Good |
| 8/26 | 4,003′ x 100′ | Turf | Excellent |
| 4/22 | 1,995′ x 120′ | Turf | Excellent |
Eagle Aviation is a family-run FBO, and its amenities and services include 100LL, Jet A, oxygen, parking (ramp or tiedown), hangars, hangar leasing/sales, GPU / power cart, maintenance, and repair. The new, modern terminal is clean and spacious with WiFi, a shower, a pilot lounge, and vending machines. Note: Aircraft camping spots are available at this field; bring your tent.
There are no commercial airline flights to this field.
Transportation
A crew car is available through the FBO, or a rental car can be arranged to be on the field for you with prior reservations. Travelers may also use Carla Car Rental to compare rates across major providers.
Where To Stay
Prices and names change frequently. For current prices, amenities, and new owner re-brands, check Expedia.com or Hotels.com. All listed hotels are within a five-mile radius of SPF. You can also use VRBO.com.
The nearest is a cluster of three hotels just off I-90: Hampton Inn Spearfish, with free hot breakfast and an indoor pool, and it allows pets. Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Spearfish offers free breakfast and an indoor pool and hot tub, service animals only. Quality Inn Spearfish I-90; budget-friendly, pet-friendly, with an indoor pool. Holiday Inn Spearfish-Convention Center; pets allowed, larger property with an attached convention center, indoor pool, and on-site restaurant. The Travelodge by Wyndham Spearfish is affordable, has an indoor pool and hot tub, but only allows service animals.
A little farther down the road, you’ll find the Best Western Black Hills Lodge, closer to town, with a seasonal outdoor pool and a walkable distance to local dining, and it’s pet-friendly. The Days Inn by Wyndham allows pets, and if you like the convenience of nearby fast food and restaurants, this is your place.
There is also the Queen City Inn, a small, locally owned property. If you’re looking for a more personal touch with local character, it gets great marks, but no pets allowed.
Deadwood is a big drawing card here, so here are three hotels with great ratings.
Where To Eat
According to several dining and restaurant rating services, these are the top five places to eat in Spearfish. There are also plenty of fast-food places available.
1. Killian’s Food & Drink; Casual with outdoor seating, American comfort food, burgers, steaks, salads, and a craft‑beer lineup.
2. Nonna’s Kitchen; Authentic Italian with house‑made sauces, pasta, and homestyle dishes. A good sit‑down option. 3. Fujisan; Sushi, poke bowls, hibachi, and Japanese entrées. Fresh ingredients and great reviews. 4. REDwater Kitchen; A modern gastropub on Main Street with creative American plates, craft cocktails, and a lively atmosphere.
5. The Farmhouse Bistro & Bar; Contemporary American dishes and a rotating wine list. Great for brunch or a relaxed dinner.
Check individual links for hours and menus.
Things to see and do in the Black Hills area.
Air tours right from the field are a great way to take it all in quickly with someone who knows what they’re seeing. In town, the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Archives is a historic 1896 hatchery with museum exhibits and preserved railcars.
Next up is the Spearfish Canyon Nature Area and Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway in the Black Hills National Forest. It’s a nationally known scenic drive with towering cliffs, waterfalls, and historic canyon geology. One of the signature stops along the way is the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls.
Deadwood, South Dakota, is 20 miles away. The Events Calendar for this town is packed full. The entire Historic District is considered a National Historic Landmark tied to Wild West history, the Black Hills gold rush, and larger-than-life figures, Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. It’s a gamblers’ paradise where the fatal shooting of Wild Bill in the Number 10 Saloon (now a modern recreation) established what’s known as the Dead Man’s Hand.
The Lead & the Homestake Mine is a historically and scientifically significant site in Lead, SD. Once the largest and deepest gold mine in the Western Hemisphere, Homestake produced over 40 million ounces of gold and played a central role in the Black Hills Gold Rush. Founded in 1876 and later purchased and expanded by William Randolph Hearst, it later became a pioneering underground physics laboratory where the first solar neutrinos were detected. Today, visitors can explore its mining heritage and scientific legacy at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center.
Sturgis
Of course, less than 20 miles away is the largest motorcycle gathering in the world, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Black Hills every August. While it is centered in Sturgis, it is now so large that it spills across the entire Black Hills, including Spearfish. For ten days, the entire region is filled with concerts, rides, races, and shows. I don’t know anyone with a cargo hold big enough for a Harley, but then I don’t know everyone. I do know you don’t need a bike to join in.
If you’re staying, don’t miss Mount Rushmore or the Crazy Horse Memorial. Yes, you could land in Rapid City and be a little closer, but you would have to deal with higher fees, more traffic, and bigger headaches. Besides, you’d miss the prettiest parts.
Why Fly Here
The Black Hills Airport offers an uncongested entry point into one of the most scenic and historically rich regions in the northern Black Hills. The field sits just outside Spearfish, giving travelers easy access to canyon drives, waterfalls, and frontier‑era towns without the traffic or complexity of larger airports. From here, you can reach the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, the Deadwood Historic District, and the broader Black Hills corridor with minimal ground travel. It’s an ideal base for anyone looking to explore nationally significant landmarks, dramatic landscapes, and the cultural heritage of the Black Hills while enjoying a quieter, more convenient airfield.
Safe travels,
jo@jettreks
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