Devil's Tower Trail

Rising 1,267 feet from the high plains of northeastern Wyoming, Devils Tower — also known as Bear Lodge — is one of the most recognizable geological features in North America and the country's very first National Monument, established by Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. Whether you know it from Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind or from a road trip itinerary you've been putting off, Devils Tower delivers in person.

The Tower Trail Loop

The Tower Trail is a 1.66-mile loop with 256 feet of elevation gain, circling the base of the tower through ponderosa pine forest and open meadows. Plan for 1–1.5 hours at an easy pace. The trail is well-maintained and accessible for most fitness levels, though the terrain is rocky in sections near the base.

Highlights along the route:

• Close-up views of the columnar basalt formations — the vertical ridges that make Devils Tower instantly recognizable
• Prairie dog towns scattered throughout the monument grounds — one of the most active wildlife viewing opportunities in the park
• Multiple viewpoints where the tower's scale really hits you, especially early morning when the light is low

Night Sky Photography

Devils Tower sits on the edge of the Black Hills surrounded by ponderosa forest and little civilization — making it one of the better night sky destinations in the region. The monument's low light pollution means the Milky Way is visible on clear nights, with the tower's silhouette as a dramatic foreground.

Best viewpoints for night photography: Tower Trail and W Road both provide strong angles on the tower. If you plan to light paint the tower, bring a very powerful flashlight — the tower's size and distance from the trail demands it. The monument's campground is rarely full and makes a convenient base after a night shoot.

For golden hour, the tower against a clear Wyoming sky is a classic shot — come early or stay late.

What Else To Know

• Climbing: Devils Tower is a world-class technical climbing destination with over 200 established routes. Permits are not required but voluntary climbing closures exist in June out of respect for Native American cultural practices
• Wildlife: Beyond prairie dogs, watch for white-tailed deer, turkey vultures, and the occasional peregrine falcon nesting on the tower face
• Sturgis: If you're visiting in early August, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally draws massive crowds just over the border in South Dakota — plan accordingly

Practical Info

• Entry fee: National Monument pass required (~$25/vehicle, or America the Beautiful pass)
• Camping: Belle Fourche Campground is inside the monument — first come, first served. Note: hammocks are no longer permitted
• Road trip context: Devils Tower sits about 1.5 hours from Rapid City, SD and makes a natural detour off I-90 if you're heading to Yellowstone or the Tetons