Getting there
Parking & Directions
Devil's Bathtub sits off the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway between Spearfish and Savoy. Parking is the single biggest logistical challenge of the visit.
Designated trailhead parking
Use the current designated parking area for the trailhead and park only in marked spaces. Layouts and capacity in the canyon have been adjusted over the years, so treat the signs on site as the authority.
Arrive early
The lot is small relative to demand. Early mornings on weekdays are easiest; midday on a summer weekend or holiday is hardest. Arriving early also means a quieter trail and better light in the canyon.
Do not park illegally
Do not park along the roadway, on the shoulder, or anywhere restricted. Highway 14A is narrow with limited sightlines, and roadside parking creates a real hazard as well as a citation or tow risk.
Driving
Directions to the trailhead
Every approach ends on Highway 14A, the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.
From Spearfish
Head south out of town onto US Highway 14A and follow the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway up the canyon. The drive is slow by design — the road follows the creek between limestone walls, with pullouts along the way. Watch for the designated trailhead parking on the canyon floor and use only marked spaces.
From Deadwood
Take US Highway 85 to Lead, then descend into the canyon on Highway 14A and continue toward Savoy. Allow extra time in summer and on weekends, when canyon traffic and parking demand are both heaviest.
From Lead
Lead is the closest town of any size. Drop down Highway 14A into Spearfish Canyon and follow the byway to the trailhead area. It is a short drive, but cell service fades quickly once you are in the canyon.
Highway 14A — Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
The byway runs roughly twenty miles between Spearfish and Cheyenne Crossing, following Spearfish Creek beneath limestone walls. It is a slow, scenic drive with waterfalls, overlooks and other trailheads along the way, and it is the reason most visitors can combine Devil's Bathtub with several other stops in one day.
Expect low speeds, cyclists, wildlife and occasional winter conditions. Snow and ice can affect the road well outside of midwinter.
Maps
Map & navigation
Load the canyon map before you leave town. Cell service on the canyon floor is unreliable at best.
View Devil's Bathtub Trailhead on Google Maps
GPS and navigation
Navigate to the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway (US Highway 14A) south of Spearfish and watch for the signed trailhead parking. Search results for "Devil's Bathtub" can drop pins in slightly different places, so confirm against posted signage rather than following a pin blindly.
Download offline maps
Save an offline map of the canyon and the trail on your phone while you still have service. It is also the simplest backup if you get separated from your group along the creek.
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.