Devil’s Bathtub is a great hike found in South Dakota’s Spearfish Canyon. This is just one of the neat places to visit when in the Northern Black Hills. Spearfish Canyon has a lot of unique natural features that are certainly worth exploring.
I didn’t have a lot of time to go hiking recently, but knew I could get one or two quick hikes in. I picked Devils Bathtub and Spearfish Falls. There are lots of areas in the canyon I love to visit, but it had been awhile since I’d been to the tub. It really isn’t a long hike.
Directions to Devil’s Bathtub
From Spearfish it is really easy to find where the trail starts, once you know what you are looking for. As you are traveling south on the scenic byway, you want to watch for the road “Cleopatra Place.” It is just a few miles south of Bridal Veil Falls. Pull into the small gravel parking lot.
Walk over the bridge across Spearfish Creek, then head right. You will see the trail. There is some private land here, be respectful and be sure to pickup all your trash. As you start the hike you will see a small bridge that crosses Sunshine Creek, cross that and the hike has started.
The trail follows the creek, weaving from one side to the other. There is a pretty good chance your feet will get wet on this hike. It is less than a mile to the tub. Watch out for the wedding tree on your way to the tub.
You will find a series of three tubs. They change depending on the water flow and time of year. Often there are small dams people build to allow the tubs to fill more. The water is always very cold, even on the hottest day of the year, but I still love to jump in the water.
If you had only time for one hike in Spearfish Canyon, this is the one to do. My second favorite has to be Community Caves, a shorter hike you won’t forget.
Kool Deadwood Nights are quickly approaching. This end of summer event in the Northern Black Hills is popular. The free entertainment is especially a big draw – FREE Main Street concerts on Friday and Saturday night. And, don’t forget the Sock Hop kicks it all off on Thursday night.
Friday Nite August 22nd 2014
Starts off with Kid & Nic show (the every popular high energy band), DD and the Fayroh’s. And, the hedliner Starship with Mickey Thomas.
Saturday August 23rd 2014
Again Kid & Nice and DD and the Fayroh’s get the action started. Then the headliners Gary Puckett and Union Gap take the stage.
Don’t miss this great big end of summer event in Deadwood. Kool Deadwood Nites is an event you’ll truly remember. Visit the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce website for complete details.
We finally made to Shakespeare Garden in Wessington Springs for a night of live music. It is a beautiful setting to enjoy a lovely evening and listen to music. The gardens were full of blossoms and butterflies. Our children had a blast exploring the gardens and watching the fish in the small pond.
There are free concerts in the summer on select Thursdays. Bring your own chair and enjoy the lush setting. There are refreshment available for purchase and donations are gratefully accepted.
The gardens and house have a unique history. The Anne Hathaway Cottage was built by a Professor and Mrs. Shay when they retired from the local collage in 1932. It is a partial replica of Stratford-on-Avon.
The thatched roof was added in 1995. It is the only thatched roof in South Dakota. I found it interesting that a thatched roof will last 40 to 60 years. The ridge cap however, must be replaced every 8 to 10 years.
If you find yourself in the Wessington Springs area, be sure to stop by and visit. Also, check the official website for a schedule of events and more historic information.
Every June you have a chance to visit historic Galena in the Northern Black Hills. A chance to explore the historic gold and silver mining camp. Walk the old rail bed and get a feel for what it must have been like during it’s hey day.
The 2014 walk is scheduled for Saturday June 14th from 9am to 2pm. The historic walk can be 1 to 5 miles. Plus they will have food and music at the old school house..
This is a great opportunity for all the history buffs and people who like exploring the Black Hills. They post historic photos along the trail and locals are on hand to answer questions and explain some of the area’s history. You can visit the Vinegar Hill Cemetery and see the remains of the old Methodist church steeple.
Galena is located south of Deadwood. Turn off highway 385 at Wild Bill’s Campground on to Galena Road. Follow the gravel road to Galena (about 3 miles) and there you will find people directing parking. Head to the old school house to register and get a map.
Once you complete the tour and haven’t had enough historic cemeteries yet, Deadwood has a couple worth visiting. Mount Moriah is the resting place of some of Deadwood’s most famous former residents like Wild Bill and Calamity Jane – plus a short hike above the cemetery will take you to the graves of Seth and Martha Bullock. Saint Ambrose is lesser know but equally interesting cemetery just across the gulch.
Huron is home to the world’s largest pheasant. South Dakota’s state bird represented in a giant statue. A roadside attraction larger than life.
I just love a reason to pull the car over and get out and walk around. This bird is certainly worth the time to checkout. A giant fowl looking over highway 14 for well over 50 years.
This tribute to the state bird was built in 1959 by the Huron Jaycee’s. Governor Joss Foss even helped dedicate the statue on Oct 18, 1959. It had taken R.F. Jacobs four and 1/2 months to create at a cost of over 22 thousand dollars.
Recently, it has been restored to it’s original splendor. The feathered feature sits atop a building that was once a liquor store and gift shop – but now just serves as the perch.
I love an excuse to go for a drive and this is worth the drive for me. But, if you have the kids along on your visit to Huron, be sure to take them to Astro City as well, a giant play structure.
Here is another picture – I couldn’t pick my favorite.
If you have any plans of visiting the Black Hills in 2014, consider spending a bit of that time in Deadwood. Be sure to visit the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce website for complete details of all the events.
Wild Bill Hickok’s grave site is found in Deadwood’s Mount Moriah Cemetery. This quiet hillside is home to many of the founders of the area. Poor Wild Bill didn’t get to spend much time above ground in Deadwood South Dakota, but he still gets lots of visitors.
He is famous for being shot in the back of the head by Jack McCall. And, now for eternity lies next to Calamity Jane. Most of the bus tours that leave from Main Street will bring you here.
If you don’t have the energy to climb the hill, there is plenty to see near Bill’s Grave. Masonic Circle isn’t far from Wild Bill and is a collection of about 18 grave. The final resting place of many interesting people who helped shape Deadwood.
Don’t forget Deadwood’s lesser know Cemetery, Saint Ambrose. This quiet hillside collection of graves is just across the gulch, nestled in between Spring Creek Road and Burnham Avenue. Probably best way to access is to park in the Lower Main Parking lot and walk across the street. Take Burnham Avenue and turn left on Pleasant Street. You can’t miss it.
There are tons of recreational options around Rapid City for hiking in the winter or any other time of year. But, the really cool thing about Rapid City is that you don’t even have to leave the city limits to do some really great hiking. You can find 300 acres right in town for you to explore.
I spent some time in Rapid over the holidays, I wanted to do some hiking and did have enough time to head out into Black Hills National Forest. So I went to M Hill, aka Cowboy Hill, aka HLMP. Parking and access to the trails can be found just off Omaha Street at Founders Park. Map Here and here
The trails were snow packed, but not too slippery, I do wish I hadn’t left my Kahtoola Microspikes back at the hotel. The extra traction would have been nice, but I still enjoyed the trails. There are nearly 20 miles of trails to explore. Trails you travel on foot or with your bicycle. If you live in or spend time in Rapid City I encourage you to check our this park. There are sections of the trails where you’d swear you are miles from town.
The park has great bouldering options too. Vegan Rock is just one of the popular spots for rock climbers. Spend some time outdoors and if you are in the Spearfish area they have a similar type of park called Lookout Mountain Park – also worth your time.
There is a giant Rocket Slide in Huron South Dakota. This 32 foot tall piece of playground equipment is called “Astro City.” It was manufactured in 1971 by the Miracle Equipment company. It is the type George played on in Waterloo Iowa.
This awesome vintage playground is located in Prospect Park. The address is 1675 Idaho Ave SE. It is a nice sized park. There are two other play structures, swings, slides and a concrete camel. Plus, there is a picnic shelter, restrooms, tennis courts and a skate park.
If you are in the Huron area, I would recommend taking the kids to this gem. This is tall and might be a bit scary for smaller children, but there are plenty of other things for them to play on.
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. Both book were written by locals with a passion for the wild history of Deadwood.
back at the hotel. The extra traction would have been nice, but I still enjoyed the trails. There are nearly 20 miles of trails to explore. Trails you travel on foot or with your bicycle. If you live in or spend time in Rapid City I encourage you to check our this park. There are sections of the trails where you’d swear you are miles from town.