Almost anywhere. Much of the Canyon is public land – part of the Black Hills National Forest. Just watch for the occasional no trespassing sign.
Where is Iron Creek?
Iron Creek is a great hike that is easy to find. Once you turn off Colorado Blvd in Spearfish onto the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, it is 11.4 miles to the parking lot. There will be an Iron Creek sign right before the bridge, park in the gravel parking lot on the west side of the road.
Snowshoeing along Iron Creek is a popular wintertime outdoor activity, however it is also a great hike or mountain bike ride. If you follow the trail for about 3 miles you will end up at Iron Creek Lake.
This is a perfect hike for any ability level. The grade is gentle and it is beautiful from the start. In the early summer it is loaded with wild flowers and butterflies. The limestone walls are amazing all year long. This is one of those hikes that you should enjoy a few times a year, because it changes with the seasons.
Iron Creek and many other trails in the Black Hill’s Spearfish Canyon are well marked on Black Hills – Northeast, South Dakota Trails Illustrated Map #751. It is always a good idea to have a map along in the Black Hills. Don’t forget plenty of water and snacks.
I was hiking up to Community Caves in Spearfish Canyon and all the flowers were in bloom. I got some great shots of the Goatsbeard, also called yellow salsify. I have been calling this giant dandelion looking plant milkweed every since I was a kid. However, I learned the correct name from my copy of Plants of the Black Hills and Bear Lodge Mountains.
Goatsbeard Flower
I’ve probably called it that because it bleeds a milky substance when you break the stem. This is not a native plant to North America, it was introduced from Europe. I think is fits in just perfect. I hope you enjoy my pictures.
I have fond childhood memories hiking up to Devil’s Bathtub in the South Dakota portion of the Black Hills National Forest. Hiking this little limestone corridor is neat whether you are young or old. This hike has to be high on the “must do list†in Spearfish Canyon.
First of all, plan on getting at least your feet wet – maybe all of you. If you are a barefoot hiking enthusiast, get out your FiveFingers KSO’s. I wore mine and had great traction on both mossy rocks and slippery logs. This is a great hot day hike, a good portion of the hike can be right in the middle of the creek.
Don’t forget your camera. The limestone walls are just amazing. Some places the walls are covered in moss and almost look like walls from an ancient city. In other places, the layers are exposed like a pile of rough paper. The vegetation is lush, it feels like a rain forest. The day we hiked it there where many butterflies.
Bring more snacks and water than you’ll need. You may end up staying longer than you planned. We hung out under a ledge while a Black Hills thunderstorm passed through the area. You and your children will be hungry after playing in the pools.
Is this a hike for small kids? Yes, if you don’t mind carrying them most of the way. We took our almost 2 year-old and our 3 and 1/2 year-old. My wife carried one in the Boba Carrier and I hiked with or carried the other child. The trail is steep and a bit slippery in place – so caution is needed. However, if you have hiking experience take your little kids – they will have so much fun playing in the water.
How to find Devil’s Bathtub
From Spearfish head south on the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. A few miles after Bridal Veil Falls, you’ll see a road sign for Cleopatra Place. Park in the small gravel parking area before the bridge. Walk over the bridge and head to the right. Follow Sunshine Creek up to Devil’s Bathtub, about a mile or so. The path is not marked, however there are several well worn trails up to the tub.
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. I wore mine and had great traction on both mossy rocks and slippery logs. This is a great hot day hike, a good portion of the hike can be right in the middle of the creek.
and I hiked with or carried the other child. The trail is steep and a bit slippery in place – so caution is needed. However, if you have hiking experience take your little kids – they will have so much fun playing in the water.
. These will make navigating the Black Hills and deciding what to do much easier.