Devils Tower National Monument, located in top northeastern corner of Wyoming, is a strikingly unusual, cylindrical plug of basalt, which rises 1,267 feet above the meandering Belle Fourche River and surrounding prairie. For eons, Devils Tower lay buried below the earth's surface, exposed over time by erosional forces which have stripped away the softer sedimentary layers that surrounded it, leaving only the hard igneous rock of the Tower formation jutting abruptly into the sky. Devils Tower is well known in recreational circles for having some of the best crack rock climbing anywhere in North America, and its massive rock facade draws thousands of climbers from around the globe on an annual basis. The Tower is also considered a powerful and sacred site by northern plains Native Americans, referred to as Bears Lodge rather than Devils Tower by these tribes. Out of respect for the Tribes of the area, climbing and scrambling access to the Tower is restricted during parts of the year to allow for worship.
Devils Tower is the nation's oldest national monument, dedicated in 1906 by Theodore Roosevelt, its status protecting just over 1300 acres of land. In addition to the interesting geology of the area, visitors to Devils Tower will enjoy the monuments wildlife viewing potential, including observing the threatened black tailed prairie dogs which have established five different 'dog towns' within the monument. The prairie dogs are a favorite of many visitors due to their comical antics and curious demeanors.
Visitors will find a limited selection of lodging and dining options just outside Devils Tower National Monument. Accessing Devils Tower is easy from interstate 90, via a short side drive via highway 14 north to highway 24. The nearest airports offering domestic air service are located in Gillette, WY and Rapid City, SD.
