Hi there! Are you ready to plan a fabulous trip to Devils Tower National Monument?! Get ready to feel wonder and awe as you stand at the base of this magnificent tower of rock! You are sure to find something here that everyone in your group will LOVE.
Devils Tower is a place where memories are made — and somewhere you will talk about for years to come. The native Lakota people call the Tower “Bear Lodge”, and it is a sacred place for many Native Americans. Here you’ll find beautiful tree-covered hills, a sparkling river, and an impressive rock tower that reaches toward the sky. This enchanting place will leave you speechless!
There is so much to do. You may have already looked at a map and been a little overwhelmed — and eager — to make sure that you don’t miss the best sights.
I’m a former park ranger, and I’ll help you plan your vacation down to the details. I’ve extensively explored Devils Tower National Monument and am here to help! Whether this is your first time to Devils Tower, or if you are returning after many years and would like to be reintroduced to the park, this list of 5 things is for you.
What You Need to Know About Devils Tower
- Devils Tower is the nation’s very first national monument! Teddy Roosevelt used the newly passed Antiquities Act to formally protect this area in 1906.
- Entrance fees are required. The monument is open year-round, though Wyoming winters can be extremely harsh.
- You won’t find many amenities or services near the tower. The Belle Fourche Campground is the only place to stay within the park. Just outside of the monument’s entrance, you’ll find a few small lodging and dining options. The nearest towns are Hulett, Sundance, and Moorcroft.
- Devils Tower is 867 feet tall from base to summit. The geology of the tower is fascinating, so be sure to read the interpretive panels or stop by the visitor center to learn more!
- Stay for the sunset! The most magical sunsets take place in this park. The sun illuminates the Tower’s west side as it goes down — my favorite places to watch the sun hit the Tower are Joyner Ridge and the pullouts along the main park road just after passing the turnoff to the campground.
I’ll make sure that you don’t miss the most popular sights, but I also want to provide a few treasures that are off-the-beaten-path as well. Let the adventure begin!
Traffic and crowding in the South Dakota Parks can be terrible.
Did you know that it’s common for parking lots to be full and sights to be packed with people, especially during the busy summer season?
Are you hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people?
Stay ahead of the crowds with this South Dakota National Parks Itinerary. You will see all the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
Click NEXT to see this list of 5 things you can’t miss on your first visit to Devils Tower National Monument.
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