Plan your visit with this Devil’s Tower National Monument Travel Guide. Devil’s Tower National Monument is an American landmark. You are excited to visit Devil’s Tower National Monument and want to know the best time of year to visit, where to stay, what not to miss, and where to eat while there. Researching the best things to do while visiting Devil’s Tower National Monument while working full time is overwhelming, and you don’t have hours to spend online. Save time and plan an unforgettable trip full of top activities with this Devil’s Tower National Monument travel blog.
READ Mount Rushmore National Memorial Travel Guide for First Time Visitors
Devil’s Tower National Monument Travel Guide
Where is the Devil’s Tower National Monument
Devil’s Tower National Monument is located in the northeastern corner of Wyoming. It is 33 miles northeast of Moorcroft, 27 miles northwest of Sundance, and 52 miles southwest of Belle Fourche. The monument is 1,347 acres divided into three hubs: the Belle Fourche River hub, Joyner Ridge, and the visitor center.
Mount Rushmore to Devils Tower: 2 hours 9 minutes; 131 miles
Yellowstone National Park to Devils Tower: 6 hours; 350 miles
Glacier National Park to Devils Tower: 10 hours; 656 miles
Devil’s Tower National Monument Entrance Fees and Park Hours
The park is open 24 hours a day; the visitor center is open daily from 9:00 AM–6:00 PM. The entrance fee is $25 per vehicle.
How Many Days Do I Need at Devil’s Tower National Monument
You only need a couple hours at Devil’s Tower National Monument to walk the base. Plan more time if you will be rock climbing.
Where to Camp at Devil’s Tower National Monument
The Belle Fourche Campground is the only campground at Devil’s Tower. It is open for the season May 15-October 15. There are 45 RV and tent sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Every site has a picnic table and fire pit with a grill. There are restrooms with running water, but no hook-ups at any sites. There is also a KOA campground outside of the park.
Accommodation Near Devil’s Tower National Monument
Hotels are available in the nearby towns of Moorcroft, Sundance, and Belle Fourche.
Facts About Devil’s Tower National Monument
Devil’s Tower was designated as America’s first national monument in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt.
Devil’s Tower National Monument is a sacred place to over 20 Native American tribes.
Over 500,000 people visit each year, and around 5,000 people climb it each year.
Devil’s Tower was featured in Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
The Tower is an 867-foot-tall butte and was formed from molten rock 50 million years ago.
The top of the tower is covered in plants and is the size of a football field.
It is made of phonolite porphyry.
Devil’s Tower is the largest example in the world of columnar jointing; some columns are 10 feet wide.
The boulder field surrounding the tower is 13 acres.
Devil’s Tower is one of the top crack climbing areas in North America; all routes are Class 5. It takes an average of 5-8 hours to climb it.
Best Time of Year to Visit Devil’s Tower National Monument
Summer is the busiest time of year, with peak hours being between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The park is very busy during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally around the first full week of August.
Where to eat at Devil’s Tower National Monument
There are no restaurants at Devil’s Tower National Monument. Picnic tables and grills are available in a shaded area. Pack snacks, a picnic lunch, and plenty of water.
Things to Do at Devil’s Tower National Monument
Walk the base of Devil’s Tower on the Tower Trail Loop.
Stop by the prairie dog town in the Belle Fourche River hub.
Photograph the tower from Joyner Ridge.
Scramble around the boulder field at the base of the tower.
Climb Devils Tower.
Photograph the Circle of Sacred Smoke Sculpture.
Do some fishing in the Belle Fourche River.
Do some stargazing and enjoy the night sky.
Popular Trails and Hikes at Devil’s Tower National Monument
Tower Trail Loop: 1.3-mile
Joyner Ridge Trail: 1.5-mile loop
Amphitheater Circuit (South Side to Red Beds to Valley View): 1.5-mile loop
Amphitheater Circuit (Valley View to Red Beds to South Side trails): 1.5-mile loop
Amphitheater to Visitor Center Out-and-Back (South Side to Red Beds): 2.6 miles, roundtrip
Red Beds Loop Trail: 2.8 mile
Southside to Red Beds Loop (South Side Trail to Red Beds loop and return to amphitheater): 4-mile hike
Valley View to Red Beds Loop (Valley View Trail to Red Beds loop and return to amphitheater): 4-mile hike
Devil’s Tower National Monument and Black Hills Day Trip
9 am Begin the morning at Devil’s Tower National Monument with a hike around the base of the monument.
10:30 Drive the 19-mile Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway (Hwy 14A) through the Black Hills. Stop for short hikes at Bridal Veil Falls, Devil’s Bathtub, and Roughlock Falls.
Noon Enjoy a picnic lunch at Roughlock Falls.
2 PM Spend the afternoon and evening exploring Deadwood. Watch the Wild West reenactments, ride on a stagecoach, visit Mount Moriah Cemetery resting place of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Poker Alice, attend a free Outlaw Wednesday night concert, check out the memorabilia at the historic Saloon 10, watch the Trial of Jack McCall reenactment, or participate in a Chuckwagon dinner and rodeo.
8 pm Play: Trial of Jack McCall
Things to Do Near Devil’s Tower National Monument
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway and Waterfalls
Step into the Wild West in Deadwood South Dakota
Visit the Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Explore Custer State Park and drive the Needles Highway
Tips for Visiting Devil’s Tower National Monument
You must register at the visitor center before rock climbing or scrambling on Devil’s Tower.
Restrooms are located at the visitor center and the picnic area.
Pets are not allowed on the trails.
Don’t rely on cell phone service; download the park maps from the National Park Service app in advance.
Pack sunscreen, a hat, a reusable water bottle, and bug spray for this trip.
Wildlife is wild; do not feed the prairie dogs.
Practice Leave No Trace Principles
Purchase an America the Beautiful Pass and keep exploring National Parks
Check with the National Park Service for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Bookmark and Pin Devil’s Tower National Monument Travel Guide for First Time Visitors
Booking Resources for Devil’s Tower National Monument
Devil’s Tower National Monument Travel Guide Books
Pick up a Devil’s Tower National Monument Travel Guide from Amazon.com to browse on the plane.
Book Your Accommodation in Devil’s Tower National Monument Now
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Devil’s Tower National Monument Attractions and Day Tours
The best attractions sell out! Don’t chance it, get your tickets now and relax when you arrive.
Travel Essentials
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Have a great vacation!