Devils Tower National Monument






The nearly vertical monolith known as Devils Tower rises 1,267 feet above the meandering Belle Fourche River. It is the remnant of an ancient volcanic feature. Known by several northern plains tribes as Bears Lodge, it is a sacred site of worship for many American Indians. The rolling hills of this 1,347 acre park are covered with pine forests with valley support deciduous woodlands and prairie grasslands. Deer, prairie dogs, and other wildlife are abundant. Proclaimed - September 24, 1906.

Photo by Teresa Gire.

The legend of Devil's Tower

Devil's Tower, Wyoming, a volcanic plug or neck. In Kiowa Indian mythology it was said that: Once upon a time seven little girls were playing in the woods far from home and they came upon some bears that chased after them. They found refuge on a great rock, that rose into sky with them on it, making them into stars. The bears tried to pursue them, but all their efforts were in vain. You can still see the struggle and their claw marks in the rock that makes up Devil's Tower.

ADDRESS:

P.O. Box 10
Devils Tower, WY 82714

TELEPHONE:

(307) 467-5283

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Open every day.
Campground and visitor center open April- October.
Visitor center open 8:30 - 5:00spring and fall, 8:00 - 7:30 summer.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Cold winters, snow not unusual.
Cool rainy springs.
Warm, sometimes hot summers with some thunderstorms.
Mild to cool falls.

DIRECTIONS:

Visitors traveling east on I-90 exit at Moorcroft, WY. Visitors traveling west on I-90 exit at Sundance, WY, take 14 north to 24, take 24 north to Devils Tower.

TRANSPORTATION:

To Park: by car or tour bus via I-90, State 14, and State 24. Nearest commercial airports at Gillette, WY and Rapid City, SD.
In Park: personal vehicle, hiking.

FEES, COST, RATES:

$8.00 entrance fee.
$12.00 camping fee.
Lodging & camping: 2 private campgrounds outside of the Park. Hulett is approximately 10 miles North East of the Park.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Center/Exhibits:
At end of park at base of tower, exhibits and book sales.

Trails, Roads:

Five miles of park roads, four trails, total of 7 miles. Tower trail is paved, 1.3 mile loop around the Tower's base.

PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES:

Summer walks, talks, and evening campfire programs.

LODGING AND CAMPING:

Fifty site campgrounds in park. No lodging in park. 10 miles KOA campground outside entrance, north in Hulett, WY.

ACCESSIBILITY:

Handicapped accessible restrooms, picnic tables, and campsite.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Hiking trails, wildlife viewing, camping, picnicking, photography.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Reservations made for group campsites, permit needed for rock climbing.

Source: National Park Service/ U.S. Dept. of Interior

Devil's Tower Closeup
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