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The Devil’s Bathtub is a beautiful place in the mountains of southwest Virginia. It’s actually a water hole located about a mile and a half into the woods. After hearing about it online, my family and I decided to experience it for ourselves. It ended up being such a fun and memorable trip for my family and I and I decided to share some of the things that you need to know about The Devil’s Bathtub in a previous blog post.
Now I want to share with you what you need to bring with you if you decide to experience this beautiful place for yourself. Here is a packing list for The Devil’s Bathtub in Virginia.
Comfortable Hiking Clothes
Do you hike regularly? If so, then just wear some of your comfortable hiking clothing and you’ll be just fine. If you aren’t the avid hiker, no worries! Just wear something comfortable like yoga pants or shorts, and a tank top or sweatshirt, depending on the weather.
I experienced The Devil’s Bathtub during late summer so I wore a tank top and longer shorts. You may also want to wear this next piece of clothing under your clothes as well.
Swimsuit
Under my clothes, I decided to wear a swimsuit. I mean, I was going to The Devil’s Bathtub, of course I was getting in! There was no way that I was hiking all the way up there in the woods just to look at some water and then turn around and go back. So, if you’re like me, add a swimsuit to your packing list for The Devil’s Bathtub. And wear it under your clothes so you don’t have to worry about finding a secluded area to change into your swimsuit!
I must warn you though, the water is FREEZING! It’s probably the coldest water that I’ve ever swam in. However, like I said, I wasn’t hiking all the way up there just to look at it. I was jumping in. Believe me, it’s worth it to swim in The Devil’s Bathtub because it’s something you’ll never forget!
Hiking Shoes That You Don’t Mind Getting Wet
So, you’ve got your comfortable hiking clothes on and your swimsuit underneath. Now you need the right shoes to walk in. I opted for some old Sketcher sneakers that I had. They are comfortable to hike in and I didn’t mind getting them dirty and wet.
If you don’t have some old sneakers to wear, I would suggest some hiking shoes like the ones I recently bought, or even some hiking sandals like these. It all depends on what is comfortable for you and what the weather will be like during your hike.
Be sure to read this blog post I wrote to learn more about the conditions of the hike to The Devil’s Bathtub to get a better idea of what shoes you may want to wear.
Now that we’ve covered what you need to wear, there’s a few other items you need to have on your packing list for The Devil’s Bathtub.
Water
If you hike anywhere, bring water. The hike to The Devil’s Bathtub is no different. It’s a very remote area, therefore there’s nowhere to purchase water, although I guess you could get it out of a nearby stream if you absolutely needed to.
My recommendation though, is to just pack plenty of water. I use a water bottle similar to these. My water stays cold all day and the bottle doesn’t leak! Plus, the bottle is reusable and much better for the environment than one-use plastic water bottles.
Snacks
Bringing snacks is totally optional, but I recommend it, especially if you plan to hike and swim for a while. I usually bring snacks that are individually wrapped. It’s just easier to pack snacks packaged like that and easier pass out to everyone in your party. The only thing about individually wrapped snacks is the trash they produce.
A Bag for Trash
Be sure to leave no trace when hiking at The Devil’s Bathtub or anywhere, for that matter. There was lots of trash along the trail when my family and I hiked to The Devil’s Bathtub and it made the hike a little less enjoyable.
There are no trash cans along the trail so I suggest packing a disposable grocery bag or something simple that you can put your trash in until you find a place to properly dispose of it.
Towel
A towel is definitely an optional item to pack for your hike to The Devil’s bathtub but I highly recommend it, even if you don’t plan to swim in the bathtub (which you should totally do). The trail to the bathtub takes you through lots of little creeks, increasing the chances of wet feet or even possibly falling in the water completely. At least if that happens, you’ll have a way to dry yourself off.
Toilet Paper
This is another completely optional item to add to your packing list for The Devil’s Bathtub hike but it may come in handy! I think we all know what the main use of toilet paper is so, just be prepared incase nature calls while you’re on the trail. Again, just dispose of it properly.
Sunscreen
There are large trees and rhododendrons that surround you as you make your way to The Devil’s Bathtub, therefore much of the trail is shaded.
Sunscreen should still be applied though, even if you don’t bring it with you during your hike. Just apply it before you set off on your adventure!
Waterproof Container and/or Bag for Your Phone
Having a container for your valuable items like keys, phones, camera, etc. is essential on this hike. As I mentioned earlier, even before arriving at The Devil’s Bathtub, you’ll be in water when you cross creeks along the trail. I brought along a simple, inexpensive waterproof case that allowed me to wear my phone around my neck, still take pictures with it, and not damage my phone at all. I was so impressed by how well it worked!
On a separate adventure in the mountains of West Virginia, I actually had my phone in a waterproof case (wearing it around my neck) when our four-wheeler turned over in a large mudhole and the case was completely submerged in the muddy water! My phone came out of the mud hole without any water on it, whatsoever. These inexpensive cellphone cases actually work!
Backpack
Okay, so I’ve shared all the items I believe need to be packed and taken with you when you hike to The Devil’s Bathtub but you need something to carry them in! I suggest carrying a backpack with you during you hike. Backpacks are simple to use and makes carrying essential items and valuables easy as well.
Alright, let me recap the packing list for you:
- Comfortable Hiking Clothes (yoga pants, shorts, tank tops, etc. all will work fine)
- Swimsuit
- Hiking Shoes That You Don’t Mind Getting Wet
- Water
- Snacks
- A Bag for Trash
- Towel
- Toilet Paper
- Sunscreen
- Waterproof Container
- Backpack
So, there you have it! These are the items that I suggest packing and carrying with you during your hike to The Devil’s Bathtub. It’s a fun hike but it does have its share of obstacles. I hope this packing list ensures that you have a great experience on the trail and at the bathtub! And don’t forget to check out the 6 things you need to know about The Devil’s bathtub! There’s even more tips and tricks that will be beneficial during your hike.
Happy hiking!
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Im taking my husband to the bathtub for his birthday in a little over a week. I can’t wait and I read both your posts. I found the information useful and will make planning easier. I was wondering if you had any suggestions about places to eat or stay? Thank you for your time, Emily
Hello Emily! I’m so happy that my blog was able to help in planning your husband’s birthday hike! I’m not familiar with the area surrounding the Devil’s Bathtub so sadly, I cannot recommend places to eat or stay. I do know that it is very remote so you may have to stay in another town and drive a bit to the bathtub. I hope you all have a fun and safe trip!