Devils Tower National Monument: 7 Things to See, Do & Know Before You Go
Robert DeckerRising dramatically from the rolling prairie of northeastern Wyoming, Devils Tower is one of those places that barely looks real until you're standing beneath it.
Hundreds of vertical cracks divide the massive rock formation into striking columns, while pine forests, prairie, wildlife, and the Belle Fourche River surround its base. It’s an unforgettable landscape—and one with cultural significance that reaches back long before it became part of the National Park System.
Devils Tower was proclaimed by President Theodore Roosevelt on September 24, 1906, becoming the first national monument in the United States.
But the Tower’s story goes back much further. It is a sacred place for many Indigenous peoples of the Northern Plains and Black Hills, and more than two dozen Tribal Nations maintain cultural connections with this landscape today.
Come for the extraordinary geology, but take time to experience the trails, wildlife, cultural history, climbing heritage, and night skies that make this relatively small national monument much more than a roadside photo stop.
My name is Rob Decker. I’m a photographer and graphic artist who has spent more than 50 years exploring and photographing America’s national parks and public lands. Devils Tower is one of those landscapes that seems almost designed for a poster—simple, bold, instantly recognizable, and unlike anywhere else.
What to Do at Devils Tower
- Walk around the base on the Tower Trail
- Explore quieter trails such as Joyner Ridge and Red Beds
- Watch prairie dogs along the South Side and Valley View trails
- Learn about the Tower’s cultural significance
- Experience world-class rock climbing if you're properly equipped
- Stay after sunset for an impressive night sky
- Join a ranger program when programs are offered
1. Walk the Tower Trail
If you only have time for one hike, make it the Tower Trail.
The paved 1.3-mile loop begins near the Visitor Center and circles the base of Devils Tower, giving you dramatically different views as you move around the formation.
Benches and interpretive waysides along the Tower Trail offer opportunities to slow down and learn about the natural and cultural history of the area. NPS photo.
The trail begins with a short, fairly steep climb before reaching the loop around the Tower. From there you'll pass through pine forest, enormous boulder fields, and openings with sweeping views across the surrounding countryside.
Tower Trail
- Distance: 1.3-mile loop
- Surface: Paved
- Trailhead: Visitor Center parking area
- Best for: Close-up views of Devils Tower
- Good to know: This is the park's most popular trail and can be busy
You may also notice cloths or small bundles attached to trees along portions of the trail. These may be prayer cloths or other ceremonial items connected to the spiritual traditions of Indigenous peoples associated with the Tower.
Prayer cloths and ceremonial objects should never be touched or removed. Photography of these items may also be considered culturally insensitive, so let respect—not the camera—guide you.
2. Get Away From the Crowds on Joyner Ridge
If the Tower Trail feels a little busy, head for Joyner Ridge.
Joyner Ridge offers expansive views of the prairie landscape and Devils Tower. NPS photo.
This 1.5-mile loop follows the ridge along the northern part of the monument before dipping into the landscape below.
What I like about this trail is perspective. Instead of standing directly beneath the Tower, you step back and see it as part of the larger Black Hills landscape.
Joyner Ridge Trail
- Distance: 1.5-mile loop
- Access: Joyner Ridge trailhead or via Red Beds Trail
- Terrain: Some significant elevation change
- Best for: Quieter hiking, photography, prairie views, and solitude
3. Hike the Red Beds Trail
For a longer hike with a wider variety of scenery, the Red Beds Trail is an excellent choice.
Red Beds Trail offers changing views of Devils Tower and the surrounding Belle Fourche River valley. NPS photo.
The approximately 2.8-mile loop moves through forests, open terrain, and striking red rock formations while offering views of both the Tower and the river valley below.
Sections of the trail are steep, but the changing scenery makes it one of the most rewarding hikes at the monument.
Sometimes the best photographs of an iconic landmark aren't taken directly beneath it. Trails like Red Beds and Joyner Ridge give you room to place Devils Tower into the surrounding landscape—and that sense of scale can make for a much stronger image.
4. Meet the Prairie Dogs
You may arrive thinking Devils Tower will be the only attraction demanding your attention.
Then you meet the prairie dogs.
Feeling watched? Prairie dogs like to keep track of visitors passing through their neighborhood. NPS photo.
The South Side Trail passes through prairie dog habitat as it connects the picnic area with Red Beds Trail.
It's only about 0.6 mile long, making it an easy addition to a day of exploring.
South Side Trail
- Distance: 0.6 mile
- Access: Picnic area or Red Beds Trail
- Highlight: Prairie dog town
- Terrain: Mostly gentle at first, with steeper sections beyond the road crossing
Valley View Trail
Valley View Trail combines prairie dog habitat with picturesque views of the Belle Fourche River. NPS photo.
Also beginning near the amphitheater, the Valley View Trail is another easy 0.6-mile option. It winds through prairie dog town while offering views toward the Belle Fourche River.
With little elevation change, it's an ideal choice if you're looking for a gentle walk rather than a serious hike.
5. See One of North America's Great Climbing Landmarks
The hundreds of parallel cracks running up Devils Tower have made it one of North America's most famous traditional crack-climbing destinations.
Crack climbing is a specialized technique used on many routes at Devils Tower. NPS photo / Lucas Barth.
The cracks vary enormously. Some are barely wide enough for fingers, while others are wide enough for a climber's entire body. Routes extend hundreds of feet up the Tower and range from moderate to extremely difficult.
Devils Tower is not a beginner climbing area to attempt without the appropriate skills, experience, equipment, or qualified instruction. Climbers should also check current NPS information for registration requirements and temporary route closures, including closures used to protect nesting falcons.
The National Park Service asks visitors to voluntarily refrain from climbing the Tower—or scrambling inside the Tower Trail loop—throughout the month of June, out of respect for the cultural and spiritual significance of the site to affiliated Tribal Nations.
You don't need to be a climber to appreciate this part of Devils Tower. Watching climbers from below also gives you an extraordinary sense of the scale of the formation.
6. Stay for the Night Sky
Don't automatically leave when the sun goes down.
Devils Tower becomes an entirely different place after dark.
The Milky Way rises above Devils Tower. NPS / Devin Cherry.
As the surrounding landscape disappears into darkness, the Tower becomes a dramatic silhouette beneath the stars. The relatively dark skies make this an especially rewarding place for stargazing and night-sky photography.
Devils Tower is almost tailor-made for night photography. The simple silhouette gives you a strong foreground while the night sky supplies the drama. Bring a tripod, arrive before dark, and scout your composition while you can still see where you're walking.
The night sky is also connected to the cultural traditions of Tribal Nations associated with the Tower. Indigenous oral histories, cultural traditions, and knowledge of the stars add another dimension to experiencing this landscape after dark.
7. Take Time to Understand the Place
It's easy to arrive at Devils Tower, take a photograph, walk around the base, and move on.
But this is one of those places where knowing more changes what you see.
The Tower holds profound spiritual and cultural importance for Indigenous peoples of the Northern Plains and Black Hills. Names translated into English include Bear Lodge, Bear's Tipi, Tree Rock, and Gray Horn Butte, among others.
That history didn't end when Devils Tower became a national monument in 1906. These cultural connections remain alive today.
Think of Devils Tower not simply as an unusual rock formation, but as a landscape where geology, wildlife, recreation, history, and living cultural traditions all overlap.
Stop at the Visitor Center
The historic Devils Tower Visitor Center, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, is located near the base of the Tower.
It's a useful first stop for:
- Current trail and climbing conditions
- Maps and park information
- Interpretive exhibits
- Junior Ranger materials
- Books and souvenirs
- Information about current ranger programs
Ranger-led programs are offered seasonally, so check current National Park Service information when planning your visit.
How Much Time Do You Need at Devils Tower?
One of the nice things about Devils Tower is that it works equally well as a short stop or a more leisurely destination.
If You Have...
- 1–2 hours: Visit the Visitor Center and walk the Tower Trail.
- Half a day: Add Red Beds, Joyner Ridge, or the prairie dog town.
- A full day: Explore several trails, slow down for photography, and stay through sunset.
- An evening: Stick around for stargazing and night photography.
However long you stay, give yourself time to stop looking at Devils Tower and start looking around it. The surrounding prairie, river, forest, wildlife, and distant hills are a big part of what makes this place work.
Bring Devils Tower Home
From a design standpoint, Devils Tower is irresistible.
Its shape is so distinctive that you can reduce the landscape to a few strong forms and still know exactly where you are. That's part of what inspired my Devils Tower National Monument Poster.
Inspired by the classic WPA-style national park artwork of the 1930s and 1940s, my Devils Tower design celebrates the extraordinary silhouette and landscape of America's first national monument.
Want something a little smaller? The same artwork is also available as a Devils Tower sticker.
Frequently Asked Questions About Devils Tower
When did Devils Tower become a national monument?
President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed Devils Tower a national monument on September 24, 1906. It was the first national monument established in the United States.
How long is the hike around Devils Tower?
The paved Tower Trail is approximately 1.3 miles and circles the base of Devils Tower.
Can you climb Devils Tower?
Technical climbing is allowed, subject to National Park Service regulations, registration requirements, and any current route closures. Climbers need appropriate technical experience and equipment.
Why is climbing discouraged at Devils Tower in June?
The National Park Service asks visitors to voluntarily refrain from climbing during June out of respect for the spiritual and cultural significance of the Tower to affiliated Tribal Nations.
What are the best hikes at Devils Tower?
The Tower Trail is the classic first-time hike. Red Beds Trail provides a longer and more varied experience, while Joyner Ridge is a great choice for quieter hiking and broader landscape views.
Is Devils Tower worth visiting if you don't climb?
Absolutely. Most visitors come to hike, photograph the Tower, watch wildlife, learn about its geology and cultural history, or simply experience one of the most distinctive landscapes in the American West.
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