The story
Most of the film was shot near Pierre and in the Badlands, but its emotional final winter scenes — Dunbar's farewell to the Lakota band, and the cavalry's pursuit through the snow — were filmed in Spearfish Canyon in November 1989. Real teepees built by Native American craftsmen were used in genuine winter conditions, on Forest Road 222 roughly three miles up-canyon from Spearfish Canyon Lodge. A wooden sign once marked the site but was removed after repeated vandalism, and no public GPS coordinate exists.
Everything that was here
- 1989–1989
Dances With Wolves Winter Camp SiteFilm History Site
In November 1989 a Lakota winter camp of real teepees was built in the snow north of Roughlock Falls for the closing scenes of "Dances With Wolves" — and the site was never permanently marked, so today almost nobody can find it.
See the map in 1989 →
Did you know?
Connected places
Explore the full web of connections on the map.
Nearby history
Roughlock Falls
The Latchstring Inn
Savoy (canyon hamlet)
Homestake Hydroelectric Plant No. 2
Cheyenne Crossing Stage Stop
Bridal Veil Falls
Know something about Dances With Wolves Winter Camp Site? An old photo, a date, a memory of what stood here before?
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