Hiking the Devil’s Bathtub Trail in Spearfish Canyon of the Black Hills, South Dakota
Distance (Roundtrip): 1.6 miles / 2.6 km
The Devil’s Bathtub Trail in Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota is a short and relatively easy day hike up the beautiful Cleopatra Creek Canyon that leads hikers to a number of natural pools and a waterslide at the very end!
That said, access to the Devil’s Bathtub Trail has changed over the years, which I talk about in more detail under the parking section below. However, I think it’s important to mention this because access to the trail is only possible through a cooperative public-private relationship, which is why I want to remind all hikers to be respectful by not littering, trespassing, or parking illegally, so that others can continue to enjoy the Devil’s Bathtub Trail in the future.
All this aside, the Devil’s Bathtub Trail is an amazing day hike whether you’re fishing or looking to swim, as the clear, cold waters of Cleopatra Creek are one of the best places to cool off during the beautiful summer months in the Black Hills!
Devil’s Bathtub Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Devil’s Bathtub Trail has changed over the years due to the trail’s popularity.
By this, I mean that in years past, hikers used to park along Cleopatra Place and the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, but in 2019, the trailhead was moved to the south, near the Old Homestake Hydroelectric Plant, adding about 0.25 miles (0.4 km) to the hike each way because this larger parking area is able to accommodate more vehicles.
Google Maps Directions: Devil’s Bathtub Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - South Dakota
According to the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) and the U.S. Forest Service, there are Black Bears in South Dakota, but encounters are considerably rare.
That said, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in South Dakota.
Hiking the Devil’s Bathtub Trail
Following the 2019 parking area move, the Devil’s Bathtub Trail now begins by heading north along the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway until the trail meets Cleopatra Place, just a short distance ahead.
As previously mentioned, this 'newly' added portion of the hike adds roughly 0.25 miles (0.4 km) to the hike each way.
The bridge in the distance is where the Devil’s Bathtub Trail meets Cleopatra Place and crosses Spearfish Creek, beginning the historic trail up Cleopatra Creek.
Cleopatra Place
This is where the Devil’s Bathtub Trail meets Cleopatra Place.
From here, go right to cross Spearfish Creek.
On the far side of Spearfish Creek, go right (straight) to continue hiking the Devil’s Bathtub Trail, as the road to the left simply serves private property at the beginning of the trail.
This is where the Devil’s Bathtub Trail continues after Spearfish Creek.
That said, it’s important to stay on the marked trail at this point, as land disputes of the past are where this 'newly' re-rerouted trail comes from, in order to keep hikers off private property.
This is the first of eight times the Devil’s Bathtub Trail crosses Cleopatra Creek, before the narrow canyon at the very end.
On the far side of the creek, go left, then right immediately thereafter to stay on the Devil’s Bathtub Trail.
This is the right turn previously mentioned, as the path to the left is simply the driveway for the private residence the trail just passed.
After making it to this point, the Devil’s Bathtub Trail becomes more straightforward, as there are few places to get off track from this point on.
This is the second time the Devil’s Bathtub Trail crosses Cleopatra Creek.
Almost immediately after the second, the Devil’s Bathtub Trail crosses back over to the other side for the third time.
This is the fourth time the Devil’s Bathtub Trail crosses Cleopatra Creek.
When the Devil’s Bathtub Trail reaches the bottom of this hill, go left to continue up the correct trail.
This is the fifth Cleopatra Creek crossing.
Just a few steps after the fifth crossing, the Devil’s Bathtub Trail crosses again for the sixth time.
This is the seventh time the Devil’s Bathtub Trail crosses Cleopatra Creek.
At this split, following the seventh crossing, I found it easiest to go right and follow the walls of the canyon.
Finally, this is the eighth time the Devil’s Bathtub Trail crosses Cleopatra Creek, and while it’s not the last, it is a great sign that the canyon and the end of the trail are just a short distance ahead.
This is where I stop counting the stream crossings for the rest of the hike to the Devil’s Bathtub, as the remainder of the trail quickly switches back and forth between either side while making its way up the narrow canyon.
In my opinion, these final few sections were the most fun and beautiful parts of the entire hike!
Depending on how high the water is, keeping your shoes dry up these final sections can be tricky!
This is why some hikers may want to bring trekking poles for the final sections up Cleopatra Creek, as these are the most challenging and slippery parts of the entire hike.
Devil’s Bathtub
This is the Devil’s Bathtub, and it’s one of the most popular places in the Black Hills to swim during the beautiful, hot summer months, due largely to the natural rock waterslide that drops into the big pool!
On top of this, Cleopatra Creek is also known for its pristine trout population, but fishing the creek is truly only possible above or below Devil’s Bathtub, or when the pools aren’t busy with other hikers swimming.
South Dakota
Wyoming
