Visiting Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming

Is visiting Wyoming’s Devils Tower National Monument on your bucket list? 

If so, you’ve come to the right place. 

It’s even better if you check your itinerary and it shows you will arrive late in the afternoon at Devils Tower. Because that is how our road trip from Mount Rushmore to Devils Tower went.

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Our visit to Devils Tower was part of a larger road trip from Dallas to Mount Rushmore.

After a couple of nights in Wichita, Kansas, and a night in Nebraska, we spent three nights in South Dakota’s Black Hills. Then we decided to drive northwest from Mount Rushmore to Devils Tower before returning to Dallas. 

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Now let’s take a look at Devils Tower National Monument’s location first.

Devils Tower Wyoming: Location & How to Get There

The physical address of Devils Tower National Monument is WY-110, Devils Tower, Wyoming 82714. When we entered the address into our GPS, it did not appear. So we followed the road signs and used the Visitor Center’s map.

Devils Tower National Monument is located 9 miles south of Hulett, Wyoming, on Wyoming Highway 24.

The majority of visitors to the Tower arrive via Interstate 90, taking US Highway 14 from Moorcroft, WY (exit 153 if approaching from the west) or US Highway 14 from Sundance, WY (exit 185 if approaching from the east.) Wyoming Highway 24 intersects US Highway 14 six miles south of the Tower at “Devils Tower Junction.”

After passing through Hulett, the Tower can be also reached from the north via WY Hwy 24 and/or 112.

Our family traveled east on I-90 W. Instead of driving to Sundance and taking exit 185, we turned right onto WY-111 N to Aladdin after stopping at the Northeast Wyoming Welcome Center (exit 199). The driving time difference is only about 5-6 minutes.

The road to Aladdin is directly across from the Welcome Center. If you turn left, you will return to I-90 W, and WY-111 N is on the right. We turned left after 8.5 miles and drove 33 miles to Devils Tower on WY-24. Then we passed through Hulett, which is home to the Best Western Devils Tower Inn.

Before we went to Mount Rushmore, we had just left the Black Hills areas of South Dakota after three exciting days there. We went to Badlands National Park, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, and Wind Cave National Park.

Visiting Devils Tower National Monument

I started screaming “there it is” as soon as we saw Devils Tower in the distance. “Where?” exclaimed our son. “Where?” He screamed again from the back seat. Lol.

My husband used to work in Wyoming, so he’s been there several times, but our son has only spent half of his time there. Because he was in my belly the first time I went there, I said half time. Hehe.

I believe the area before the entrance to Devils Tower has grown significantly since the last time we visited in 2006. We didn’t recognize it at all.

KOA is on the right, The Lodge at Devils Tower is on the left, and Campstool Cafe, Devils Tower Trading Post, and USPS are also nearby. And a large number of people.

We haven’t reserved a hotel room for the night on this trip to Devils Tower. We considered staying at the Belle Fourche River Campground within the park. If no sites were available, we would check KOA, the Lodge, or wherever we could find a place nearby.

Fortunately, there were campsites nearby, so that’s where we started. We went to Devils Tower after setting up camp at Belle Fourche River Campground.

It’s only a 7-minute drive from Belle Fourche River Campground to Devils Tower Visitor Center. When we arrived, visitors were beginning to leave the area. We quickly found a parking spot.

The Visitor Center, on the other hand, was closed. Fortunately, they had placed the Junior Ranger Program Book near the entrance. Before we started hiking, my son grabbed it.

Hike the Tower Trail

Then my son and I began hiking the Tower Trail, which circles the base of the tower. It began directly across the parking lot from the visitor center.

We noticed colorful cloth or bundles attached to the trees as we approached the junction where you can turn right or left to walk around the base of the Tower. These are Native American prayer cloths that represent many tribes’ spiritual connection to the Tower.

There will be a sign warning you not to touch, disturb, or remove the prayer cloths. Some even considered not photographing the cloth. Please follow the rules.

My son and I took a right and began climbing the paved trail not far away. The trail became moderately rolling after a steep first hundred yards.

There are benches along the trail where you can take a short rest during your hike. Or simply to take in the beauty of the surroundings or the Tower’s interesting columns.   

Because there are many pine trees along the trail, it does not get too hot. After 7, the number of visitors on the trail had decreased, and deer began to munch on grass closer to the trails. They were unconcerned about our presence. We walked quietly, trying not to disturb them.

During the hike, a teenage boy in front of us started screaming. We were taken aback, but once we realized what was going on, we tried not to laugh. The boy was terrified of bees, and a bee was buzzing above his head. lol. 

Our son was obsessed with rocks at the time of our visit. So he didn’t skip reading everything about the Tower. We were impressed by the Tower’s asymmetrical columns and wondered what it looked like from the top.

The columns have four, five, six, and seven sides. Some of them stand over 600 feet tall and are 10 to 20 feet wide. The biggest on the planet. There are no two sides that are alike. The eroded columns on the south side give way to the smoother north side. The Tower’s future is revealed on the west side by the fallen, broken columns.

We furthermore attempted to guess the climbing location of the National Parks Adventure movie. We enjoyed the film. You could watch it with your family and friends.

We returned to the trailhead after about 40 minutes. It is the park’s most popular trail, a 1.3-mile (2-kilometer) loop trail. As a result, it can become extremely congested. Starting from the left, we believe, will be easier.

Other Hiking Trails at Devils Tower

The park also has four other trails. They all have views of the Tower and connect to another trail.

Joyner Ridge Trail: 

– Along the park’s northern boundary

– 1.5 mile (2.4 km) loop

– Provides picturesque views of the Tower, prairie, and surrounding landscape

– Significant change in elevation along the eastern portion

– Trailhead access via dirt road/small parking lot

– Trail access: Joyner Ridge trailhead parking area or Red Beds Trail via 0.6 mile ( 1 km) connector trail

Red Beds Trail:

– 2.8 mile (4.5 km) loop

– Provides a beautiful view of the Tower and surrounding geologic formations (Belle Fourche River valley)

– Some of the trails are quite steep

– Trail access: parking lot at the visitor center or all other park trails

South Side Trail:

– A 0.6 mile (1 km) trail

– Take a walk through prairie dog town with little to no elevation change

– Once you cross the park road, there is a moderate/steep elevation change.

– Only one road crossing

– Joins the Red Beds Trail

– Access to the trail: picnic area parking lot or Red Beds Trail

Valley View Trail:

– Starts at the amphitheater

– A 0.6 mile (1 km) trail

– Take a stroll through Prairie Dog Town to see stunning views of the Belle Fourche River   

– Minor to no elevation change

– Only one road crossing

– Joins the Red Beds Trail

– Access to the trail: picnic area parking lot or Red Beds Trail

We didn’t do any of these four trails because we arrived late in the afternoon and only stayed for one night.

In the evening, however, we attended a Ranger Program at the amphitheater. It’s a short walk from the campground. 

Unfortunately, the night sky above Devils Tower was cloudy, so we didn’t get to enjoy the stars.

The Circle of Sacred Smoke at Devils Tower

What a beautiful morning to wake up to the Tower view from the comfort of our tent. 

Then I went to see the Circle of Sacred Smoke sculpture at the amphitheater. Junkyu Muto, a Japanese artist, created this sculpture in 2008. It represents a puff of smoke from a Native American ceremonial pipe.

The Tower is considered sacred by over twenty tribes. The sculpture was erected near the site where a White Buffalo Calf Woman delivered the first sacred pipe to the Lakota people.

Before leaving the park, we went to see the prairie dogs.

Best Time To Visit Devils Tower

Devils Tower is open 24 hours a day, with a few days of closures and seasonal exceptions. Among them are Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Christmas Day. 

Summer days are typically hot and dry, with the threat of severe storms with hail and high winds. Temperatures can also reach the triple digits. 

Temperatures in the sub-zero range are not uncommon in the winter. 

If you visit Devils Tower in the spring or fall, be prepared for any weather!

Summer days are also the most popular because that is when most American families can take vacations. That was also the time when my family and I went to Devils Tower.

Around 7 p.m., our family arrived at the Visitor Center. It was already closed when we arrived, but there were Junior Ranger Program Books outside.

As most visitors began to leave the area, we had no trouble finding a parking spot at the Visitor Center.   

The next morning, we returned before 9 a.m. to visit the Visitor Center and have our son sworn in as a Junior Ranger. There aren’t many visitors.

As a result, the best times to visit Devil’s Tower are early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Late in the summer, darkness falls.

Visiting Devils Tower With A Dog

Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted on hiking trails or in park buildings.

Dogs are only permitted in parking areas and along roadways, including the campground road and the road to Joyner Ridge trailhead. They are also permitted in the picnic area and campsite.

If you intend to bring your dog, he or she must remain with you at all times and be restrained by a leash no longer than six feet in length (1.8 meters). Always clean up after your dog. 

Snoopy, our dog, accompanied us to Devils Tower. My husband used to live in Wyoming and has been to the tower numerous times. So, when my son and I went hiking, he volunteered to stay with Snoopy in the parking lot. In terms of the Visitor Center, I took turns staying with Snoopy in the parking lot with him.

Facts About Devils Tower

Devils Tower is the National Park Service’s first national monument. In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt designated the area as a National Monument.

How did Devil’s Tower come to be?

Devils Tower is classified as an igneous intrusion, which means it formed underground from molten rock. Magma rose to the surface. The magma that formed Devils Tower condensed into columns as it cooled. It is the world’s largest example of columnar jointing.

What’s it like at the top of Devils Tower? The summit is rocky and slightly dome-shaped, with native grasses, cactus, and sagebrush. On top, there are chipmunks, mice, pack rats, and the occasional snake.

How big is the summit? It measures about 1 ½ acre, about 180 feet by 300 feet (about the size of the football field.)

What is the height of Devil’s Tower? Devils Tower rises 867 feet from its base to its peak. It is 5,112 feet above sea level and 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River.  

How frequently do the columns fall? There have been no significant falls in recent history (200 years.) 

Can you scale Devil’s Tower? Yes! Climbing rocks is a popular activity at the Tower. Throughout the year, the Tower has two major climbing closures: in early April to protect nesting falcons and in June to respect American Indian cultural values associated with the Tower site. Each year, approximately 5000-6000 visiting climbers visit Devils Tower.

(From the Devils Tower National Park Service website.)

Where To Stay When Visiting Devils Tower

If you like to camp, you can stay at the Belle Fourche River Campground. The only campground and lodging available within the park. It is a 46-site, 2-loop campground with 4 accessible sites and 3 tent-only group sites.

On the other hand, the Belle Fourche River Campground is a first come, first served campground with no reservations. During our one-night visit to Devils Tower, our family was fortunate to find an empty campsite. Seeing Devils Tower from the inside of our tent was a magical experience.

If you are not an adventurer in terms of lodging, like us, check out the Devils Tower KOA which is located just outside the park entrance. Alternatively, 1 mile away is the Devils Tower View Campground. 

Another location just outside the park’s perimeter is Devils Tower Lodge. A bed & breakfast related to Devils Tower Climbing. 

If you prefer to stay in a hotel, there are several options. Best Western Devils Tower Inn and The Lodge at Devils Tower which is located about 10 miles north of Devils Tower in Hullet.

In the town of Moorcroft, southwest of the park, there is a Wyoming Nature Retreat 19 Mi To Devils Tower.

I hope you find this guide helpful for your visit to Devil’s Tower.