Overview Of Devils Tower National Monument

Inspiring awe for generations, Devils Tower is an igneous butte in Wyoming near the Black Hills National Forest. It rises 867 feet from its base and was established as our country’s first National Monument. Devils Tower holds spiritual importance for Native American tribes and was featured in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, where it was used as a landing site for alien ships.

Why Should I Visit Devils Tower National Monument?

Devils Tower is well worth a day trip on your next Black Hills trip, and activities include:

• Devils Tower view from Red Beds Trail
• Hiking the Tower Trail
  • This trail is paved right around the base and is only 1.3 miles,
• Hiking the Red Beds Trail
  • This trail is slightly further away and is harder, but has more diverse views and potentially better photography
• Rock Climbing to the top of Devils Tower
• Wildlife Viewing at the prairie dog town
• Photography of this unique geographical feature and the surrounding area

Our Experience At Devils Tower National Monument

My wife and I drove out to Devils Tower on the last day of our Black Hills trip. We checked out of our hotel in Hill City and made our way through the dirt roads of the western Black Hills region to Wyoming. Our car got super dirty and we ended up having to wash it before returning. 

The trip took over two hours, and we had to go slow in parts since our car was not really designed for the dirt roads. We made a quick stop in Sundance, Wyoming, to check out the Sundance Kid Statue. Yes, Butch Cassidy’s friend has a statue on the way to Devils Tower.

As we got closer, Devils Tower came into view. It really looks out of place against the rest of the landscape. We stopped for a bite to eat and souvenirs at Devils Tower Trading Post. They really lean into the alien side of this monument, and their yard and parking lot have a great view of Devils Tower to take pictures.

Inside the National Monument

By the time we entered the monument, there was a line to enter and we had to wait our turn. This is a very popular site, and we chose a sunny day to visit. We did not stop for the Prairie Dog Town due to the volume of prairie dogs we already observed on this trip at Badlands and Wind Cave National Parks.

The wait was worth it, and we parked, got our stamp, and walked over to the trailhead. We saw what looked like people halfway up and on top of Devils Tower, and it turns out that this is a popular rock climbing destination! Park rangers told us that there is grass growing along with small animals like chipmunks at the peak.

Hiking the Red Beds Trail

There are two major trails that encircle Devils Tower to pick from: the Tower Trail and the Red Beds Trail.

We selected the Red Beds Trail for several reasons:

• It is longer at 2.9 miles rather than 1.3
• It is further away from Devils Tower, allowing for better photos
• This route has more elevation gain – 449 feet!
• It is more diverse, with views of grass, red beds, and of course Devils Tower
• There are fewer people as it is more difficult
• We heard on a podcast that your neck might hurt after hiking the shorter trail because you are looking up the whole time at the giant tower right next to you

The route is straightforward, you just walk counterclockwise around the tower from the Visitor Center. For the first mile or so of the trail, you descend towards the Belle Fourche River. There are views of Devil’s Tower along pretty much the whole trail.

About the time you hit the lowest point of elevation on your route and start ascending, you hit the Red Beds part of the hike.

After Red Beds, the trail becomes a little more steep uphill and you get great views of Devils Tower. Even though it was sunny and dry in May when we hiked, we heated up on the uphill stretch.

We returned to the picnic area after our hike and enjoyed some tinned fish!

We left Devils Tower and started our drive back towards the Rapid City airport to end our trip. We did make a quick stop at the D.C. Booth Historic Fish Hatchery in Spearfish, South Dakota and had a great time there.

What We Would Do Differently

While I feel that we had a thorough experience and fully enjoyed Devils Tower, I would make some tweaks on our next trip:

First, I would hike the Tower Trail either in addition to or instead of the Red Beds Trail. I do not have a good reason for this other than I would like to do both. I thought the Red Beds Trail was spectacular and I think it is a better fit for a fit hiker on their first trip to Devils Tower, but I would like to see both eventually.

Second, I would take some time and fish the Belle Fourche River as it flows through Devils Tower. This part of the country is really pretty and I would like to catch fish here.

Third, I would like to stay very close to Devils Tower and watch the sunset there. After returning to our lodging I would proceed to watch Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Where To Eat Near Devils Tower National Monument

Surprisingly, there are multiple food options near Devils Tower. While we did not get the chance to eat at a restaurant due to our time crunch, here is where we would pick:

For lunch, I would try the Red Rock Café in Hulett, and I would try the Devils Tower Bacon Cheeseburger.

For dinner close to Devils Tower, we would try the Ponderosa Café in Hulett, WY, less than 15 minutes from Devils Tower. They are only open for a few hours each day at the time of this writing.

Slightly further out in Sundance, WY, we would try the Longhorn Saloon & Grill.

Lodging Near Devils Tower National Monument

If you are visiting this site as a day trip from the Black Hills, then you should obviously stay in the Black Hills as you were for the rest of the trip.

If you are staying in the area longer, perhaps to visit Keyhole State Park, then I would stay at the Sawin’ Logs Inn, which has great ratings and is only 5 miles from Devils Tower.

There is a KOA adjacent to Devils Tower, and there are multiple hotels and motels for good rates in Sundance.

You can camp within Devils Tower National Monument, but the campground is only open in the warm season, from around mid-May to mid-October.

Tips For Visiting Devils Tower National Monument

This park may be crowded, so try to show up early. Parking can be tricky.

Around the time of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, this park will be even more crowded than usual.

It can be hot during the summer, and the Red Beds trail has a deceiving amount of elevation gain. Make sure you bring water or hike during a cooler part of the day so you do not get baked.

When To Visit Devils Tower National Monument

Devils Tower National Monument is open 24 hours a day.

We recommend visiting in late May or in September for the best weather to enjoy this park.

Always check the Devils Tower National Monument website or call for the most up-to-date information.

What To Bring To Devils Tower National Monument

You should bring good hiking shoes and water to visit Devils Tower.

I would recommend also bringing a picnic lunch or snacks, as well as fishing gear and a license to try out the Belle Fourche River.

Does Devils Tower National Monument Have An Entrance Fee Or Require Reservations?

Reservations are not required, but there is an entrance fee of $25 per vehicle at the time of this writing. They do accept America the Beautiful Park Passes.

Sample Itinerary For Devils Tower National Monument

We recommend that you visit this park for at least 3 hours. Since it is a relatively small park, you might want to combine it with a half-day visit to Deadwood or Spearfish SD.

Here is a sample half-day at Devils Tower:

• Arrive, visit the prairie dog town and visitor center (30 minutes)
• Hike the Red Beds Trail (2 hours)
• Eat a picnic lunch and enjoy the view (30 minutes)

Summary

This is just a big, neat rock, and its columnar basalt is a similar formation to Devils Postpile. You will want to spend a half day visiting America’s first National Monument, and it can be multidimensional if you add a fishing excursion on the Belle Fourche River and check out the prairie dog town in addition to your hike around the base of this tower.

Other Sights Near Devils Tower National Monument

Keyhole State Park, Wyoming – Local state park known for fishing, hiking, and watersports opportunities.

Custer State Park – Bison, Donkeys, National Treasure 2, scenic drives, and access to the highest mountain east of the Rockies.

Wind Cave National Park – Great for cave tours to see boxwork as well as hiking above ground.

Jewel Cave National Monument – This cave is not talked about very much but is even more impressive than Wind Cave.  You have to see it to understand.

The Black Hills – A national forest sprinkled with awesome small towns and NPS sites.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial – An American classic.  You should see Crazy Horse while you are in the area.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site – This is very close to Badlands and is a great place to go to learn about the Cold War and Mutually Assured Destruction.

Badlands National Park – Dramatic landscapes formed by erosion and surrounded by grasslands.