Devils Tower National Monument

State: Wyoming. Type: national monument, managed by the National Park Service. Location: Crook County, northeastern Wyoming, near Hulett and Sundance. Designated September 24, 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt as the first U.S. national monument. The tower rises 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River (summit elevation 5,112 feet); the monument covers 1,347 acres. Sacred to more than 20 Native American tribes.

Devils Tower is a striking igneous rock formation that juts abruptly out of the rolling plains and pine forest of northeastern Wyoming's Black Hills region. Formed when magma intruded roughly 40.5 million years ago and cooled into a laccolith with distinctive hexagonal columns, the tower has long been sacred to more than 20 Native American tribes, who hold their own oral traditions about its origin. In 1906 it became the first site in the country protected under the Antiquities Act, predating the National Park Service itself. Today it draws hikers who circle its base on the paved Tower Trail, climbers who scale its columns, and travelers en route between the Black Hills and Yellowstone. A voluntary climbing closure each June acknowledges the tower's ongoing cultural significance to tribal ceremonies, and the surrounding grasslands and prairie dog town add to the setting's quiet, open-sky character.

The monument sits off Wyoming Highway 24, about 9 miles south of Hulett, Wyoming, in Crook County. It's reached via US Highway 14, either from Moorcroft to the west or Sundance to the east, with WY-24 meeting US-14 at 'Devils Tower Junction' six miles south of the tower. The mailing address is PO Box 10, Devils Tower, WY 82714.

Northeastern Wyoming has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters typical of the northern Great Plains/Black Hills region. Summer is the primary visiting season; winter can bring road closures and snow, and summer construction is also common per NPS advisories. Specific temperature averages were not confirmed on the sources checked for this entry.

Summer (roughly May through September) is the main visitor season, though parking fills quickly and the first full week of August sees a surge from the nearby Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which changes parking procedures. Visitors preferring smaller crowds may want to avoid that week and peak midsummer weekends.

Devils Tower has been sacred to Northern Plains tribes for generations, with more than 20 tribes holding traditional associations with the site. President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed it the nation's first national monument on September 24, 1906, using the newly passed Antiquities Act. The first documented climbing ascent was made on July 4, 1893, using a wooden-peg ladder; modern technical climbing began in 1937, and the Durrance Route remains the most popular line today. A voluntary June climbing closure, observed by most climbers, respects the month's importance for tribal ceremonies at the site.

The paved 1.3-mile Tower Trail circling the base is the main way most visitors experience the monument, offering close-up views of the columnar rock and surrounding pine and prairie-dog-town terrain. Technical rock climbing on the tower's columns (the Durrance Route is most common) draws experienced climbers, with several hundred ascents annually, though most park visitors do not climb. Wildlife viewing, including the prairie dog town near the entrance, and ranger programs at the visitor center round out typical visits.

The tower itself and its base-circling Tower Trail are the central attraction. The visitor center near the base of the tower provides exhibits and ranger information. The prairie dog town along the entrance road is a popular quick stop. Nearby towns Hulett and Sundance offer additional Black Hills-area sights for visitors extending their trip.

Most visitors drive in via Interstate 90 to US Highway 14, exiting at Moorcroft (from the west) or Sundance (from the east), then following WY-24 north to the monument. The NPS notes that GPS devices can sometimes misdirect visitors, so following highway signage is recommended. No nearby commercial airport was confirmed on the sources checked; the closest larger airports are in Rapid City, SD, or Gillette/Sheridan, WY, and should be confirmed independently.

Specific visitor-center and grounds hours were not confirmed on the NPS pages checked for this entry; the park does note seasonal road/parking changes, winter closures on some roads, and a voluntary June climbing closure. Confirm current hours at nps.gov/deto or by calling the park before visiting.

As of research: private vehicle $25, motorcycle $20, individual (foot/bicycle, 16+) $15, children under 16 free. Commercial tour rates range from $25 (sedan) to $100 (motor coach, 26+ seats). An annual park pass is $45; the America the Beautiful annual pass is $80 (or $250 non-resident-equivalent as listed). The park does not accept cash — credit/debit cards only at the entrance station. Several fee-free days occur each year, including Presidents Day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Most visitors spend one to three hours: enough time for the Tower Trail loop and visitor center, longer if joining a ranger program or planning a climb.

Hulett (about 9 miles north) is the closest town with lodging and services; Sundance and Moorcroft, both reached via US-14, offer additional motels and small hotels. The monument itself has a National Park Service campground on-site (Belle Fourche River Campground) but general hotel-style lodging is in the surrounding towns rather than within the monument.

Dining options are limited within the monument itself; small-town cafes and diners are available in Hulett, Sundance and Moorcroft. Specific restaurant names were not confirmed on the sources checked, so visitors should check current listings for these towns before arriving.

The Black Hills of South Dakota, including Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park, are within a few hours' drive to the east. Hulett and Sundance offer small-town Wyoming character and additional regional history. The broader northeastern Wyoming/Black Hills region is popular for scenic drives connecting these sites.

No commercial airport sits directly at the monument; regional airports in Rapid City, South Dakota, or Gillette/Sheridan, Wyoming, are the nearest options with scheduled service, though exact distances were not confirmed on the sources checked. A personal or rental vehicle is effectively required to reach the site.

Parking fills quickly in summer, and the park advises arriving early. Winter can bring road closures, and summer sees ongoing road construction in some years — check current conditions before traveling. During the first full week of August, the nearby Sturgis Motorcycle Rally significantly increases traffic and changes parking procedures. Respect the voluntary June climbing closure observed for tribal ceremonies. For any emergency, contact park rangers or dial 911.

Comfortable walking shoes for the Tower Trail, water, and sun protection, since much of the trail is exposed. A credit or debit card is necessary for the entrance fee, as the park does not accept cash. Climbers should bring their own technical gear, as none is rented on-site per available information.

Arrive early in the day during summer to secure parking. Avoid the first week of August if you want to skip Sturgis Rally crowds passing through the area. Bring a card, not cash, for the entrance fee. Check road and weather conditions ahead of a winter visit, since some routes can close.

For any emergency, dial 911. For general park information, call 307-467-5283 x635.

Devils Tower National Monument (National Park Service) - https://www.nps.gov/deto/index.htm

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.