Winter Adventure at Devils Bathtub Trail in Spearfish Canyon
Hiking Devil’s Bathtub Trail in Spearfish Canyon during the winter offers a completely different experience than the busy summer months. On a warm January day, with temperatures hovering around an incredible 45 degrees, I loaded up my boys and headed up the canyon without a set plan. We just knew we wanted to be outside, enjoying the sunshine and fresh Black Hills air. When we spotted the Devil’s Bathtub parking area completely empty, it felt like fate. This is one of Spearfish Canyon’s most popular trails in summer, so having it entirely to ourselves was exciting and rare.
We started our hike following the flowing waters of Spearfish Creek as the winter sun reflected off the water and surrounding limestone cliffs. The canyon was quiet, peaceful, and beautifully still. Once we turned off the road and began following Cleopatra Creek, the trail changed quickly. Much of the creek was frozen solid, which actually made many of the creek crossings easier than they are in summer. Normally, wet feet are almost guaranteed on this trail, but the ice created natural bridges in many spots. One of my boys even decided to walk straight up the frozen creek rather than weaving back and forth on the trail.
That bold choice eventually caught up with him. After slipping once on a slick patch of ice, he later broke through into one of the deeper pools near the famous “bathtub,” ending up waist-deep in icy water. Thankfully, with the warm temperatures and plenty of laughs, he stayed in good spirits and didn’t get too cold before we made our way back. On the return trip, we could already see how much the ice had started to melt. We had to hop between rocks and tree stumps in a few places to keep our feet dry, a reminder of how quickly conditions can change on winter hikes in Spearfish Canyon.
Despite a few slips and splashes, the hike was a fantastic adventure. The boys kept the whining to a minimum, and we enjoyed having this beautiful, serene trail almost entirely to ourselves. If you’re looking to experience Devil’s Bathtub Trail without the crowds, winter is a wonderful time to go. Just be sure to come prepared. The trail can be icy, so wearing microspikes or Yaktrax is highly recommended. With the right gear and a little sense of adventure, a winter hike to Devil’s Bathtub can be one of the most memorable ways to explore Spearfish Canyon.
Also, we recently did a YouTube video on this trail! make sure to check it out below!
