Spearfish Canyon: Stopping by Bridal Veil Falls and Hiking Devil’s Bathtub

Spearfish Canyon

Spearfish Canyon is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota just south of the town of Spearfish. With easy access traveling along Spearfish Scenic Highway (Highway 14A) it’s a popular location for cycling and hiking. Dusty parking lots alongside the highway give nature enthusiasts a place to pullover or stay a while for photo opportunities and hikes on adjacent trails.

The 20-mile-long highway cuts right down the middle of the canyon between towering pine and spruce-covered limestone cliffs. Clear air gives way to blue sky and if you look closely, you might be lucky enough to see an osprey swooping toward its nest, soon landing to feed its babies. Down below you’ll see Spearfish Creek flowing parallel to the highway.

Osprey nest high in a dead tree…

Spearfish Creek…

Stopping by Bridal Veil Falls

Our first stop in Spearfish Canyon was about nine miles south of town at Bridal Veil Falls which is right off Highway 14A. From the parking area, there’s a pedestrian crosswalk crossing the highway to the falls viewing platform. Benches line each side of the platform for weary tourists to take a rest.

The water flowing down the falls was on the lighter side due to our late July visit.

Hiking Devil’s Bathtub

About a quarter mile north of Bridal Veil Falls is a parking lot at the Devil’s Bathtub trailhead. Considered moderately challenging, the hike up to Devils Bathtub was beautiful with very little elevation change and wouldn’t haven’t been too difficult had it not been for having to cross Squaw Creek multiple times. We crossed mostly on rocks and logs with no problem, but I fell hard on my left shoulder and hip when I stepped on a wide flat slippery moss covered rock where there were no other options. Luckily, only my pride and confidence were hurt, causing me to turn around just short of the highlight of the hike, Devil’s Bathtub.

Listed as a 1.6-mile out-and-back route, I’m not sure how we logged 1.88 miles without hiking to the bathtub. We started at the trailhead parking lot, but noticed cars parked along the highway closer to where the trail we were on turns away from the road, crosses Spearfish Creek, and follows Squaw Creek to Devil’s Bathtub. Perhaps the hike officially starts once on the other side of Spearfish Creek?

Hike Overview

• • Location: Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota
  • Start/Finish: Devil’s Bathtub trailhead parking along Highway 14A
  • Course Type: Out-and-back
  • Course Surface: Packed dirt, rocks, boulders, and water crossings
  • Distance: 1.88 miles
  • Time: 59:27
  • Average Pace: 31:33
  • Elevation Gain: 418 feet
  • Elevation Range: 4,442 to 4,758 feet
  • Start time: 11:02 AM
  • Weather: ~85° and mostly sunny
  • Date of Hike: July 30, 2024

We left the trailhead parking lot, hiking north on the narrow dirt path paralleling Spearfish Creek. Various wildflowers dotted the path – my favorite was this creeping bellflower.

After turning right onto a dirt road and following it across Spearfish Creek, we were reminded that we were crossing private property and to use good trail etiquette at all times.

The trail transitioned between packed dirt, roots, rocks, large boulders, and water crossings making hiking easy as times and much more difficult at other times.

As mentioned, my fall earlier in the hike robbed me of my confidence and I cowered away from completing the final climb and seeing the pièce de résistance of the hike, Devil’s Bathtub, pictured below.

Photo credit: AllTrails

On the hike back out, we got pictures from the scene of my fall on the moss and water covered rocks…

Showing off my now moss covered shirt…

Interesting knot on a tree…

Crossing Squaw Creek on rocks and driftwood…

Looking down Spearfish Creek from the bridge crossing nearing the end of the hike…

Garmin Stats

Post-hike Garmin stats…

Garmin map and elevation graph…

Final Thoughts on Visiting Bridal Veil Falls and Hiking Devil’s Bathtub

Bridal Veil Falls was easy-peasy to see, just crossing the highway at a designated crosswalk. The falls were somewhat subdued due to the time of year and lower water flow in late July. Still, they were quite pretty and worth the stop.

Despite my clumsy fall stripping my confidence and cutting our hike just short of actually seeing Devil’s Bathtub, my husband and I had a really enjoyable time. The scenery along the way was pretty, and it was nice seeing families with children of all ages enjoying the great outdoors together. 

Questions

• • Have you visited South Dakota? ~ This was my first visit.
• • Have you fallen on a hike? ~ Falling while hiking seems to be a common occurrence for me. 😉
• • On hikes which do you prefer, waterfalls or views for miles? ~ both

I’m linking up with Zenaida of The Running Teacher and Jenn from Runs with Pugs for Tuesday topics Link-Up. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but those of the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!