Devil’s Bathtub - MUST DO

We’ve been to Spearfish Canyon, to see the beautiful Roughlock Falls and it’s become my favorite location in the Black Hills Area. You can see plenty of beauty from the road, but the hills are incredible for a water lover like me (and M). A friend recommended Devil’s Bathtub to us and everything we read online said it was a great hike for kids and very doable for all ages. It was definitely doable, but I’d say this was a challenging hike. You need good balance, and the willingness to climb all over the place. Definitely wear shoes that you are ok getting wet. It’s a little tricky to find from the parking lot just know if you’re facing the creek you head left. There’s beauty to the right too, but you won’t make it to the rock slide at the end. We peeked at the rapids/falls to the right before starting the .8 mile trek to the slide and bathtub. 

The hike starts on a dirt path that follows the creek then you end up back at the road and head into a canyon that surrounds the creek. There is no official trail to follow once you pass the initial sign and you have to weave in and out of the creek, scale some rocks, and duck under or climb over fallen trees. It was super entertaining for M, but X had a hard time balancing for a lot of it. X asked to be carried, “I having a hard time.” And proceeded to nibble on EZ “stop biting your shirt or we’re taking it off.” “Can you take it off?” “Now stop biting me!”  He also asked us if bees could eat jellyfish. Quite the thinker and entertainer he is. There weren’t many spots that had a big risk of falling far, just a tripping factor. M did trip a couple times and get a scratch on his hand, but it was tiny. He loved this hike and did such a great job.

After the most stunning hike, you reach the rock slide and little swimming area. The water was of course frigid, but it was a 90 degree day so we had a blast cooling off and sliding down. M took a minute to warm up to the idea of going down the slide into the cold water but then didn’t want to leave. This was the best experience we have had in the Black Hills so far, so add it to your bucket list if you don’t mind an uneven walk. I’m so amazed by the beauty God creates and so thankful we’ve gotten to experience it in high doses this season. 

 

The hike back was a little easier than going in, but X was carried for most of it. More of his personal preference than necessity. On the way out, an older couple called to us from way up above asking if the trail was down where we were. It immediately made me nervous for them and I quickly prayed that they could make it down ok. We helped coach them down, but the woman still slipped and slid partially down the bank. I thought for sure we were going to have to go into emergency mode, but praise Jesus, she said she was ok. We waited till they’re feet were on the ground before continuing our walk out. We later almost hit a baby deer on the drive home, so we had plenty of adrenaline rushes for the day. Looks like our guardian angel was working overtime this trip. 

 

If you made it all the way to the end, now you get to know where we are headed next! We're off to Roanoke, VA early October. I couldn't be more excited about our location. Close friends live in town as well as in the surrounding areas, so we're excited to head into our next adventure. 

There are still a few things on the Black Hills Bucket List, so stay tuned!