Updated July 2026
Devil's Bathtub Falls
A small waterfall feeding a deep, cold plunge pool carved into smooth rock in Spearfish Canyon, reached by a roughly 1.6-mile out-and-back trail with multiple creek crossings. The trailhead is along Spearfish Canyon Highway south of Spearfish.
Before you go
Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check Black Hills National Forest (USFS) for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
No measured height is on record for Devil's Bathtub Falls in the land-manager and survey sources this inventory draws on. We list it without a height rather than estimating one.
The Devil's Bathtub Trail reaches it about 1.6 miles (out-and-back), rated moderate. The nearest town is Spearfish. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with Black Hills National Forest (USFS) for closures and current conditions.
Late spring through summer. Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.
More South Dakota waterfalls
- Falls of the Big Sioux River (Falls Park) · 100 ft
- Little Spearfish Falls · 47 ft
- Thunderhead Underground Falls · 30 ft
Sources
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