Devils Tower: The First Monument in the Nation
Devils Tower National Monument Guide
Use our realistic Devils Tower Guide to plan your next adventure in this national monument and sacred site.
Devils Tower National Monument is a park best known for its free standing rock formation.
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Sights & Places of Interest
Devils Tower is one of the two National Monuments in the US state of Wyoming. But Devils Tower is not just a monument. In fact, it carries the title of the first National Monument since its designation in 1906. It is only fitting that Wyoming would be home to both the first National Park and National Monument.
Differences between a national park and a national monument are subtle. National parks protect larger areas and get more resources. But the biggest difference between the two stems from the designator. While the US Congress can designate new national parks, the US President has the power to create new national monuments.
Devils Tower National Monument protects a 865-ft (265-m) tall magmatic rock. This formation attracted people for centuries. As a result, controversy has surrounded Devils Tower since the monument’s establishment. Several Native American tribes consider the Tower a sacred site. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to be respectful to the site during your visit.
Tower Viewpoints
We got a first look at the Tower just after the Devils Tower Tipi Camping on Highway WY-24. As we drove closer to the monument, we stopped at two scenic viewpoints. The Devils Tower Information Marker and Mato Tipila Scenic View provide picturesque views. Both are outside of the monument’s boundaries. It means that you can enjoy the beauty without having to pay entrance fees.
Tower Trail
We enjoyed the distant views but wanted to experience Devils Tower up close, too. When we arrived at the monument, we had five trails to choose from:
- Valley View Trail is a 0.6-mi (1-km) trail through the Prairie Dog Town south of the Tower.
- South Side Trail is a 0.6-mi (1-km) connector trail between the Valley View and Red Beds Trails.
- Tower Trail is a 1.3-mi (2-km) paved loop trail that is closest to the Tower.
- Joyner Ridge Trail is a 1.5-mi (2.4-km) loop trail north of the Tower.
- Red Beds Trail is the 2.8-mi (4.5-km) loop, the longest trail in the park.
Like most visitors to Devils Tower, we decided to take the Tower Trail. The trail starts at the Visitor Center. Our Devils Tower Guide will follow our hiking path.
Moments after we started our hike, we encountered two cute baby deer.
The hike continued with a 0.5-mi (0.8-km) connector trail from the parking lot to the trailhead. Once we finished the initial ascend, we got a good look at the Tower’s western side. This side is the closest to the monument’s Headquarters and Visitors Center. Compared to other sides, it has a lot of boulders and rocks and few pines.
Valley View
We hiked the Tower Trail loop counterclockwise. That meant that we soon got amazing views of the Black Hills. The Tower Trail’s overlooks show amazing colors of the Belle Fourche River valley.
This area of the monument experienced a wildfire a few years ago. Thankfully, most trees survived the fire. But we could still see burnt stems during our visit, years after it happened.
Wildlife
Devils Tower is home to many species. You will likely see deer, prairie dogs, and falcons during your visit. Deer are not afraid of humans in Devils Tower. They walk right next to the trail while paying little attention to hikers.
Tower Climbing
The Tower’s southeastern side is steeper than the western side. Yet, this is where the Tower Access trail and the Climbing Route start. Climbing the Devils Tower is a controversial activity. If you decide on climbing, you have to register beforehand. There are several climbing closures each year. One occurs during the falcon nesting period. The other takes place during the month of June.
We did not plan on climbing Devils Tower. So we continued on the Tower Trail loop. Just a few feet (meters) from the Tower access trail, we saw another deer family. We spent a few minutes watching them walk on and around the trail.
The Tower views started to blend together at some point on the Tower Trail. Devils Tower remained scenic and mysterious. But the views to the east and north of the Tower became less exciting. The trail became quite similar to Pilot Mountain State Park in North Carolina.
We visited Devils Tower in the evening. That left us with little time to explore other trails. But it brought beautiful views of the Tower at sunset. When we passed through the Prairie Dog Town on our way back, we stopped to admire the Tower’s pink hue.
A few minutes later, after we turned on Highway WY-24, the Tower became completely dark as the sun moved below the horizon.
Continue with our Devils Tower Guide to learn more about ways to get to the sights, entrance requirements, and places to stay.
Getting to Devils Tower
Devils Tower National Monument is located in Northeastern Wyoming. The monument is in the Bear Lodge Mountains. These mountains are part of the Black Hills region.
That makes Rapid City, SD, the region’s largest city, the main hub to visiting Devils Tower. It takes about 1.5 hours to travel 107 miles (172 km) between Rapid City, SD and Devils Tower.
While over 76,000 people live in Rapid City, there is no international airport. Denver, CO would be the closest airport hub. However, it is a much longer drive. Prepare for over 6 hours and 400 miles (644 km) each way.
Where to Stay
There are a couple of hotels, vacation rentals, and camping sites next to Devils Tower. For more options you would need to stay further away from the monument. Sundance, WY on Interstate Highway I-90 is one option. Other options would bring you to South Dakota. Consider Spearfish, Belle Fourche, Deadwood, or Sturgis. For even more places to stay continue east on the I-90 to Rapid City.
Entrance Requirements & Passes
Devils Tower National Monument is open every day of the year. We visited Devils Tower during our summer trip to the Black Hills region. Devils Tower charges per-vehicle admission fees. A seven day pass is $25. America the Beautiful pass provides free admission to Devils Tower.
Takeaways: Devils Tower
Devils Tower National Monument is a scenic destination. The Tower is a true natural wonder. It looks quite surreal in the Black Hills landscape. Most of the monument’s trails are not challenging. Unless you plan on climbing the tower, you could complete Devils Tower’s exploration in about an hour. If you do not have an annual pass, it might be hard to justify paying $25 for such a short visit. Stop at the viewpoints to get get great and free views of the Tower from the nearby State Highway WY-24.
Take a look at our Devils Tower Video Guide and visit our YouTube channel for the latest videos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Devils Tower charges admission fees of $25 per car. America the Beautiful Pass provides a free admission to you and your companions.
You can explore Devils Tower in about an hour. That is enough time to hike the Tower Trail loop. Climbing the Tower and hiking other trails would take longer.
Most people could finish the paved 1.3-mi (2-km) Tower Trail loop in about 45 minutes.
You can climb Devils Tower provided that you have registered at the Visitor Office beforehand and adhere to the climbing regulations.
Late spring and early fall are best times to visit Devils Tower. This way you can avoid summer crowds and connect with the monument’s nature. As a bonus, Black Hills will be stunning during both seasons.
One can stop at any viewpoints on State Highway WY-24 and get a distant view of Devils Tower. These viewpoints are free.
Devils Tower National Monument is about 400 miles east of Yellowstone National Park.
Safe realist travels!
