Spearfish Canyon · Black Hills, South Dakota
Devil's Bathtub
A short hike. A cold creek. A memorable Black Hills adventure.
Explore one of Spearfish Canyon's most unusual hikes and learn what to expect before you go.
≈1.6 mi
Round trip, out and back
≈187 ft
Elevation gain
Moderate
Difficulty for the terrain
Multiple
Creek crossings
What it is
A carved stone pool at the end of a creek walk
Devil's Bathtub sits at the top of a short canyon corridor south of Spearfish. Moving water has polished the limestone into chutes and a small basin — the feature everyone comes to see.
The mileage is genuinely short. The experience is not a stroll. You follow the creek upstream, cross it repeatedly, work over boulders and finish with a few hands-on moves where the canyon narrows.
Come prepared for wet feet, cold water and rock that stays slick in the shade, and it is one of the best short hikes in the northern Black Hills.
Plan your hike
- Parking & directionsWhere to park, why arriving early matters, and driving directions from Spearfish, Deadwood and Lead.Read more →
- Will your feet get wet?The honest answer, plus the footwear that makes the crossings manageable.Read more →
- SafetyCold water, slick rock, scrambling and the conditions that should make you turn around.Read more →
- What to bringA visual checklist built for a wet, rocky, short hike.Read more →
- What to expectA step-by-step walkthrough from the trailhead to the pool.Read more →
- Nearby trailsWaterfalls and hikes within a short drive along the canyon byway.Read more →
Check before you go
Conditions change. These are the things this guide cannot tell you.
- Weather forecastPoint forecast for the canyon, not just the town.National Weather Service — Rapid City
- Trail conditions & closuresAlerts and notices for the forest that manages this area.Black Hills National Forest
- Road conditionsHighway 14A status, winter conditions and construction.SD511
- Fire restrictionsSeasonal fire and campfire restrictions across the hills.Black Hills National Forest alerts
Closures and parking rules can also be posted on site with no notice online. Read the signs at the trailhead and follow current restrictions when you arrive.
The bigger trip
Devil's Bathtub is one stop in Spearfish Canyon
Highway 14A threads past waterfalls, overlooks and trailheads for twenty miles. Most visitors can pair this hike with two or three other stops in a single day.