Cool Crystal-Clear Waters at Devil’s Bathtub in Virginia
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Devil’s Bathtub Trail
If you are looking for amazing hikes while visiting Virgina, then this hike is the perfect destination for you. Located in Duffield, Virginia, this amazing hike on Devil’s Fork Trail offers both a challenge and reward and is one of my favorite hikes we completed while visiting Virginia. You will enjoy hiking through the forests as you cross multiple streams and up rocky terrain. Devil’s Bathtub will be the highlight of the trip and offers a natural pool setting where you can dip in the extremely cool water to cool off after hiking.
Need to know
Address: GPS 36.81840, -82.62650 to the Devil’s Fork Trailhead and parking area
Cost: FREE
Pets: dogs are allowed on the trail
Subject to flash flooding with heavy rains, use caution and check the weather prior to hiking this trail.
Trail difficulty: this trail is listed as strenuous, but I did not find the trail to Devil’s Bathtub difficult at all, you do walk through water and over boulders on this hike with a slight elevation and a dirt/rocky trail.
Trail availability: this trail is open year-round. This tends to be a popular trail and can be very busy at times. We went in June, on a Friday, around 10am and it wasn’t that busy, going later in the day will be busier.
Parking and restrooms
Below you will see the first parking lot to access Devil’s Bathtub Trail at Stoney Creek Park. It is a 0.8-mile, 16-minute walk, to the trail head from this parking lot. You will also find picnic tables and pit toilets at this parking area.
From this parking lot you will head to the right on High Knob SC Road, once you see the road sign (see road sign pic details below) to High Knob SC Road (yes, same road name), you will turn left onto that road. You will continue on High Knob SC Road until you reach the beginning of the trail.
We did not park in this parking lot, see below where we parked which is next to the trail head.
Address: High Knobs Road SC, Dungannon, Virginia GPS: 36.81438, -82.61520
High Knob SC Road to trail head
Continue past the first parking lot and turn left on High Knob SC Road. This is a narrow road with private property along the right side. Parking on this road is at your own risk of being towed due to there being private property in the area.
You will continue on this road and go up a short steep narrow forest service road 619 where you will end at the parking lot, Devil’s Fork Trail, seen below. This parking lot is being upgraded and they have created a great area to park and have added gravel to the road and parking lot. I was able to access this parking lot in my campervan. The road was a little rough and narrow, but you should be fine in any vehicle as long as it does not sit too low to the ground.
There is room for maybe 15 cars. If there is no room here, you will have to return to the first parking lot you passed on the way here. Arrive early for a better chance to get a parking spot.
There are no restrooms or trash at this location. Remember to pack out, what you pack in!
From here, you will cross the parking lot, head up the stairs, and turn left to the trail.
National Forests
Nestled in the rugged beauty of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, this hike through Devil’s Fork Trail will offer an unforgettable trip to Devil’s Bathtub. The below signs will be at the beginning of the trail for your guidance.
Hiking trails
At the start of this trail, you will go around a small gate where you will continue on the trail, and you will cross a small creek before coming to a fork in the path. As the path splits, you can continue to the right on Devil’s Fork Loop or to the left to Devil’s Bathtub. It is not recommended you take this trail and complete the creek crossings if the water level is above your knees.
This shady path can be muddy if it had recently rained, occasionally you might find a tree fallen down that you might have to climb over and there are multiple tree roots and rocks along the trail as well.
Follow the yellow blazes (diamond marking or rectangles) on the trees that align with the path. (see pic below for details). Follow the yellow markings for this trail.
Devil’s Fork trail loop
To the right you will continue onto Devil’s Fork Trail. This is a 7.2-mile trail round trip. This path is less traveled, and parts of the path can be overgrown with weeds and more strenuous with no creek crossings. You will eventually pass through the Devil’s Bathtub before you end this trail where it started.
Devil’s Bathtub trail
If you take the path to the left, you will head to the Devil’s Bathtub. This hidden gem is a 1.5-mile hike to Devil’s Bathtub one way, you will cross over about 13 different creek crossings. This is an easy path along the Devil’s Fork Creek where you will view the beautiful creek and smaller waterfalls the entire time you are hiking. Each creek crossing is easy to navigate and requires crossing through water and over smaller boulders.
I recommend wearing Teva sandals so you can cross over the water and not worry about your shoes getting wet. I wear these sandals at almost every hike we go on and highly recommend them.
Hiking essentials
Things we use while hiking that would be beneficial to you also: I wear my Teva Sandals all the time while hiking. Take a small backpack to carry a microfiber lightweight towel and snacks in as well.
Devil’s Bathtub
The Devil’s Bathtub is really cold, as in 65 degrees cold, and makes it frigid when enjoying the crystal-clear waters. We did enter the water and stood on the rock ledges for some time. After a bit, your body feels numb from being submerged in the cold water. The area is absolutely beautiful, and the water is a pretty blue hue making it the perfect backdrop for any picture. You can swim in the waters if you desire.
After you have spent time at Devil’s Bathtub, you can retrace your steps back to the parking lot or you can continue to Devil’s Fork Trail, see details below.
There is a waterfall by this area that feeds into the water basin. Above the basin is the Devil’s Bathtub that leads into the water basin. It is a 12-foot-deep crevice where you will find a unique swimming hole. The water basin is about 8 foot wide and 20 feet long.
Devil’s Fork Trail
Once you are at the Devil’s Bathtub, you can choose to continue onto Devil’s Fork Trail by crossing over the water and climbing up the hill to the path.
Three Forks Waterfall
As we crossed over the creek, we headed along Devil’s Fork Trail. This trail is more rugged than the trail to Devil’s Bathtub. We walked about a mile to the Three Forks Waterfall, seen below between the trees. After a mile, there was a sign that stated the path had pretty rugged conditions for the next 5 miles, so we chose not to continue, and we turned around and returned back to the Devil’s Bathtub, crossed the waters, and then returned back to the trail head.
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Out of all the hikes we completed in Virigina, Devil’s Bathtub was one of my favorite hikes. I have hiked through a lot of states on the west coast but by far, Virginia totally impressed me with the amount of scenery and solitude we found while hiking through this state. This will be an unforgettable experience that any outdoor enthusiasts will crave and be able to find the perfect Instagramable picture.
What is your favorite hike in Virginia? Comment below! 👇
Enjoy the journey,
Meet the author: Jennifer
I am a girl who loves to travel with my family and enjoys sharing expert family travel advice. I am a content creator and influencer on Instagram with years of travel experience and provide readers with advice, tips, and details on adventurous family travel and tips on saving money while boondocking or traveling across the US. You can usually find me dreaming up our next epic vacation or outside exploring natural landscapes. I am a fearless roadtripper who isn’t afraid to explore new and off the path adventures.
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