What to See at Devils Tower

A small monument with one very large attraction. Here's how to make the most of it.

By Chris Hayworth, Nestward

Devils Tower is the kind of place you see from the highway and immediately understand the fuss. The Tower itself protrudes nearly 900 feet out of the rolling prairie at the edge of the Black Hills, with hundreds of parallel cracks running top to bottom. You can do the highlights in half a day, but the Tower rewards anyone who lingers, and it's worth knowing what's here before you go.

The Tower itself, and how to walk around it

Most people start with the Tower Trail, a 1.3-mile paved loop that circles the base. It's the closest you'll get on foot, winding through ponderosa pine and boulder fields with the Tower constantly overhead. It's busy, especially midday in summer, but it's busy for a reason.

If you want the Tower without the crowds, the Red Beds Loop Trail is the move. It's a 2.8-mile loop that drops down toward the Belle Fourche River valley, giving you the Tower from angles most visitors never see, plus a close look at the red sandstone that gives the trail its name. A couple more quiet options:

• Joyner Ridge Trail: a short loop on the north side with one of the best wide-open views of the Tower, particularly at sunrise or sunset.
• South Side Trail and Valley View Trail: connector paths down by the river that are flat, lightly traveled, and good if you want a stroll rather than a climb.

Watch the climbers

Those cracks make Devils Tower one of the finest crack-climbing areas in North America, and on a clear day you'll spot climbers as tiny dots working their way up the columns. You don't need to climb to enjoy it. Bring binoculars and watch from the Tower Trail. Note that the park asks climbers to voluntarily stay off the Tower during June out of respect for the Northern Plains tribes who consider it sacred, so that's a quieter month on the rock.

The prairie dog town

On the drive in from the entrance station, you'll pass a large prairie dog colony right beside the road near the Belle Fourche River. Kids love it. The dogs are entertaining and easy to spot, but they're wild animals. Keep your distance and don't feed them. It's a genuinely good stop and costs you nothing but a few minutes.

Stargazing and the night sky

This is a dark-sky monument, and the stars here are excellent on a clear night. Joyner Ridge is the go-to spot for stargazing, with an open horizon and the Tower silhouetted against the Milky Way in summer. Park roads and trails are open 24 hours, so you can stay out late. Bring a headlamp and a jacket. Even summer nights get cool out on the prairie.

Practical notes

• Entrance fee: $25 per private vehicle, good for seven days. An annual park pass is $45 if you'll visit more than twice.
• Beat the crowds: In summer, arrive before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Parking near the Tower Trail fills up fast midday.
• Lunch: There's a picnic area near the entrance with tables under the cottonwoods along the river, a pleasant, shady spot to refuel. Bring your own food; dining is limited.
• Camping: The Belle Fourche River Campground inside the monument is open mid-May to mid-October.
• Weather: Afternoon thunderstorms build fast in summer and the rock surfaces get slick. Carry water. The Tower itself can top 100°F in the sun.
• Getting there: The park is in northeast Wyoming, about 27 miles northwest of Sundance. From I-90, follow signs to WY 24.