D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery & Archives
Discover one of the West's oldest fish hatcheries, offering free family fun with captivating underwater views and thrilling fish feeding.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Free admission, always engaging.
D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery & Archives
Best Time
Free admission, always engaging.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover one of the West's oldest fish hatcheries, offering free family fun with captivating underwater views and thrilling fish feeding.
"A must-stop hidden jewel with amazing trout and a fun feeding experience!"
💰 It's FREE!
Enjoy this fantastic attraction without spending a dime on admission. :moneywithwings:
🐠 Feed the Fish!
For just $1, you can buy fish food and witness an amazing feeding frenzy. :dollar: :fish:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Underwater Fish Viewing
Underwater viewing area
Marvel at numerous large trout swimming right before your eyes. A truly captivating experience for all ages.
Fish Feeding Frenzy
Trout runs
Purchase food for $1 and watch trout leap and swarm for a feeding spectacle. Kids (and adults!) love this interactive fun.
Historic Fish Transport Rail Car
Outdoor exhibit
See a beautifully preserved train car once used to transport fish across the railway. A unique piece of history.
Booth House Museum
Booth House
Explore historical exhibits detailing the hatchery's past and its significance in the region. (Check for current accessibility).
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Free Family Fun & Fish Feeding Frenzy
Historical Charm & Hidden Gem Status
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
💰 It's FREE!
Enjoy this fantastic attraction without spending a dime on admission. :moneywithwings:
🐠 Feed the Fish!
For just $1, you can buy fish food and witness an amazing feeding frenzy. :dollar: :fish:
👟 Comfortable Shoes Recommended
You'll be doing some walking around the grounds and viewing areas. :athletic_shoe:
📸 Great Photo Ops
Capture the fish, the historic rail car, and the beautiful surroundings. :camerawithflash:
Tips
from all over the internet
💰 It's FREE!
Enjoy this fantastic attraction without spending a dime on admission. :moneywithwings:
🐠 Feed the Fish!
For just $1, you can buy fish food and witness an amazing feeding frenzy. :dollar: :fish:
👟 Comfortable Shoes Recommended
You'll be doing some walking around the grounds and viewing areas. :athletic_shoe:
📸 Great Photo Ops
Capture the fish, the historic rail car, and the beautiful surroundings. :camerawithflash:
Combine with City Park
Easily spend half a day by visiting the adjacent City Park for more outdoor enjoyment. :parkwithtrees:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery as a delightful, free attraction, especially for families. The underwater viewing area and the exciting fish feeding experience are major highlights. While some historical exhibits might have limited access, the overall charm and educational value make it a highly recommended stop.
"I love this place! Its great family entertainment and its free!
Its one of the oldest fish hatcheries in the west. Its not very big, but its right next to city park so you can easily spend half a day in the area. There is a little gift shop and inside is an elevator. You can take the elevator down to an underwater viewing area of the fish if you have a stroller, or if not there are two sets of stairs. The underwater viewing area is definitely the best part of this place! There are so many large fish, and if you're little ones like fish they will love this! My son could easily spend all day here! You can buy fish food and feed the fish, which is so fun! They'll jump out of the water and swarm to get their food! Its so much fun for kids to feed and watch.
There is an old train car that was used to move fish on the railway, which is very cool. There is also a museum but its closed for work.
There is not RV parking available here, but not even half a mile up the road is a RV campground"
The Wayward Nurse
"This was one of the best hidden jewels in the Sturgis, Deadwood, Spearfish area!!! Many excellent historical exhibits. Lots of Brown Trout from fingerlings to Fry to huge mature fish on display! It is an absolutely beautiful place to visit. Gets some fish food for $1 and watch the fish go wild getting their share!"
Bill Reed
"Far and few in between do you find a free attraction such as this in a tourist filled area. It’s a must stop for couples and families. The trout here are just amazing. They have an underground viewing area of the trout and a bunch of trout runs here as well. Also by the parking they have perfect picnic areas right on the clearest water river."
Cory Holmes
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The hatchery is located in Spearfish, South Dakota. It's easily accessible by car and is situated near City Park, making it a convenient stop for travelers in the Sturgis, Deadwood, and Spearfish area. Parking is available on-site.
Unfortunately, there is no RV parking directly at the hatchery. However, an RV campground is located less than half a mile up the road.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, admission to the D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery is completely free! It's a great value for families and budget travelers. +1
While specific hours can vary seasonally, the hatchery is generally open for visitors to explore the grounds and viewing areas. It's always a good idea to check their official website or call ahead for the most current hours, especially for the museum or specific exhibits.
Since admission is free, advance booking isn't necessary. You can simply show up and explore. For any special events or group tours, it's best to contact the hatchery directly.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The most popular feature is the underwater viewing area where you can see large trout up close. The fish feeding experience is also a huge hit with visitors, especially children. +1
Yes, there is an elevator that provides access to the underwater viewing area, making it accessible for strollers and those with mobility concerns. There are also stairs available.
The hatchery boasts historical exhibits, including the Booth House and a fascinating old train car used for fish transport. The museum itself may occasionally be closed for work, so it's worth checking ahead. +1
Most visitors find that it takes about an hour to tour the hatchery and enjoy the main attractions. However, you can easily spend longer, especially if you combine it with a visit to the adjacent City Park or if children are particularly engaged with feeding the fish.
Yes, many visitors report that the volunteers are awesome and provide lots of great information about the hatchery and the fish. Don't hesitate to ask them questions!
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The hatchery itself has a small gift shop, but no dedicated dining facilities. However, there are perfect picnic areas right on the river by the parking lot, making it ideal for a packed lunch.
Absolutely! The picnic areas are a great spot to enjoy a meal outdoors. It's a perfect way to extend your visit and enjoy the scenic surroundings.
📸 📸 Photography
The underwater viewing area offers unique shots of the trout. The historic fish transport rail car is also a very photogenic subject. Don't forget the scenic river views and the fish as they jump for food!
Yes, the underwater viewing area provides clear shots. For feeding, capturing the action as fish jump out of the water can make for dynamic photos.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
With the adjacent City Park, you can easily turn this into a half-day outing. The hatchery offers a blend of fun and education, introducing children to aquatic life and local history in an engaging way. The accessibility via elevator to the viewing area also makes it convenient for families with strollers.
💰 Budget Travelers
The only cost involved is the optional $1 for fish food, which provides an incredibly fun and memorable activity. Combine your visit with a picnic lunch at the scenic spots by the river, and you have a perfect, low-cost day out in the Spearfish area.
💑 Couples
The underwater viewing area offers a quiet moment of wonder, and the fish feeding can be a fun, shared activity. It's a great spot for a leisurely afternoon, especially when combined with a picnic by the river or a walk in the nearby City Park.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
A Glimpse into Aquaculture History
Beyond the tanks, the hatchery preserves significant artifacts like the historic fish transport rail car. This unique exhibit showcases the ingenuity used to move live fish across the country via railway, a testament to the evolution of fisheries management. It's a fascinating look at how conservation efforts have adapted over time.
Many visitors are impressed by the sheer number and size of the trout, from tiny fry to impressive adults. The underwater viewing area provides an unparalleled perspective, allowing you to observe the fish's behavior in their environment. This immersive experience, combined with the historical context, makes for a truly educational and engaging visit.
The Thrill of Feeding the Fish
As you toss the food, prepare for a spectacular display. The trout will leap out of the water and swarm to get their share, creating a dynamic and exciting scene. This interactive element is a massive hit with children, who find immense joy in participating and watching the fish's enthusiastic response. It’s a moment of pure, unadulterated fun that often becomes a highlight of the visit.
This feeding experience isn't just entertaining; it also offers a unique chance for photography. Capturing the fish mid-air as they chase their meal can result in some truly memorable shots. It’s a simple yet incredibly engaging activity that adds a significant layer of enjoyment to the hatchery visit.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit