Devils Tower is a unique rock formation that we thoroughly enjoyed visiting. It is so much bigger than I could have imagined. Read further to read any information you need to visit Devils Tower.
What is Devils Tower?
Devils Tower is an interesting giant rock formation rising out of the plains in northeast Wyoming. I was amazed as we were driving on fairly flat land for so long and Devils Tower seemed to rise up on the horizon. It was the first national monument in the United States National Park System and was . Many people come from around the world to climb the unique rock.
It also has a rich history and is sacred to many American Indian Nations. One name that is used by Native Americans is Bear Lodge. There are many Native American legends surrounding Devil’s Tower. The NPS has various resources for learning about the long history surrounding the formation. It is important to learn about the various perspectives of the monument prior to your visit. Read more on the National Park Service website here and here.
Where is Devils Tower?
Devils Tower is located in northeast Wyoming. Some of the closest towns include Sundance, WY to the south and Hulett, WY to the North.
How do I get to Devils Tower?
The best way to get to Devils Tower is by car. The entrance to the park is located along Wyoming State Route 24.
What is there to do at Devils Tower?
Tower Trail
Tower trail starts near the main parking lot at the Visitor Center. This trail wraps around the entirety of Devils Tower. It gives a closer look at how ginormous this rock formation actually is. We only did part of the trail since it was a very hot day when we were visiting, but it gave beautiful views of the tower and talus at the bottom. We also saw a deer grazing in the forest up against the rocks. At one point, there is a bench with a viewpoint of the surrounding plains. Make sure to pay attention to posted signs around the visitor center and along the trails. Some sacred months of local tribes limit traffic in this area and be sure to observe all posted signage.
Visitor Center
The main visitor center has more information about your visit, including other trails that you can do in the national monument area. There is a gift shop and restrooms here.
Prairie Dog Town
When first driving into the park, there is an area called Prairie Dog Town where you can view many prairie dogs in their natural habitats. We did not stop at this Prairie Dog Town, but at another location near the park, but it is definitely worth stopping if you have not yet stopped to see prairie dogs on your trip so far. Prairie dogs are very common in this area of Wyoming and neighboring South Dakota. They are very adorable and can be seen running around and playing with each other. They make high pitched chirps to communicate and are very adorable to watch for a bit of time.
Roadside Picnic
Sometimes the main parking area can be a bit crowded, so one way to avoid the crowds and have a more peaceful time viewing Devils Tower is to stop at one of the roadside pull-offs along the road up to the visitor center. Most of these pull-offs are surrounded by fragrant pines and have private views of Devils Tower. We decided to have a picnic out of the back of our car at one of these pull-offs and felt like we had the place to ourselves. It was a unique way to experience Devils Tower and was one of the most enjoyable moments for me at the park.
Have you been here? What was your favorite part? Let me know if you have any questions down below in the comments!
Thanks for reading!
This formation is just amazing! Another of God’s awesome creations. Have the postcard pic on my refrigerator. Maybe someday I will see it for myself. 🙂