With more time, I recommend hiking the Red Beds Trail. This hike offers a different perspective of Devils Tower and, with lower crowds, is more enjoyable that the Tower Trail.
Consider joining a ranger program if you are visiting during the summer months. For the full experience, stick around until after sunset to view the night sky. Get the full details here. If you have an America the Beautiful Pass, you do not have to pay the entrance fee. There are no restaurants in the park, however, you can get food at the small shops and cafes that sit right outside of the park, just beyond the entrance station.
If you plan to view the night sky, consider camping at the Belle Fourche River Campground, to save yourself a late night drive.
Before you go, get updates on park conditions and closures on the official website. If you have any questions about planning your visit to Devils Tower, or if you want to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below.
If this is part of a bigger road trip through the USA, visit our United States Travel Guide for more inspiration and travel planning tips. Cheers, Julie. This website is fantastic! We are on a 5 week RV trip on the northwest and I keep coming back to this website because it is so thorough and good!
What a fantastic, thorough post. We stayed at Devils Tower Lodge and climbed with their guiding service — this was an experience all in itself!
It is located IN the actual park. Looking forward to using your experience for future trips to the parks. Excellent guide! Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sign me up for the newsletter! Facebook Pinterest Twitter. Here are driving distances and times from nearby destinations: Rapid City, South Dakota: miles, 1.
View of Devils Tower from Highway Best Things to Do at Devils Tower On a visit to Devils Tower, you have the option to hike one of the trails that circle around its base, take a ranger tour, go rock climbing, or gaze up at the night skies. Hike the Tower Trail Distance: 1. Red Beds Trail Distance: 2. South Side Trail Distance: 0.
Valley View Trail Distance: 0. Joyner Ridge Trail Distance: 1. Prairie Dog Town On highway , as you drive through the park, there will be a few turnouts where you can park your car and look out over the prairie dog town. Circle of Sacred Smoke Sculpture This modern sculpture, also called the Wind Circle Sculpture, is located near the prairie dog town and the picnic area. Climb Devils Tower Devils Tower unique shape and hexagonal towers attract rock climbers from around the world.
Can you spot the rock climbers? This mandatory registration is free and in the best interests of you and the climbing community: it ensures climber safety, documents use of the Tower as a climbing resource, and becomes part of a historical database that has been maintained since Observe posted route closures; visit the Current Climbing Closure page.
Do not leave gear on the Tower including ropes, cams, stoppers, etc. Pets are not allowed on the Tower or the trails - only in developed areas. Chipping or gluing holds, gardening, excessive route cleaning, drilling or installing permanent gear are all prohibited.
Know Before You Go Your safety is your responsibility. In the event of an emergency, remain calm and attempt to call or yell down to the Tower Trail. Assistance from local resources and monument staff may be available, though rescue is not certain. Check the local weather forecast before climbing and observe changing weather conditions. Summer days can bring hot temperatures, and the rock of the Tower can reach over degrees Fahrenheit.
Storm systems develop quickly in the Black Hills. Lightning, rain, hail, slippery surfaces, and hypothermia are possible during storms. Watch for animals stinging insects, birds, rodents and reptiles all live on the Tower.
Temporary route closure due to nesting falcons is typical each spring in order to protect nesting prairie and peregrine falcons.
Check for route closures when you register at the climbing kiosk or visit the Current Climbing Closure page. Routes are typically long and sustained in grade. Technical rock climbing equipment is required to safely climb at Devils Tower National Monument.
Consult multiple sources for information on a route, as suggested gear varies between guidebooks. The majority of climbing accidents and deaths on the Tower occur during the rappel. The National Park Service does not maintain anchors - inspect all anchors and back them up if necessary. Ensure you know the location of your rappel route before you begin. Start rappels over the nose of columns to prevent ropes from jamming in cracks.
Avoid knocking loose rock onto climbers below. Many rappels require two ropes; know the distance of your planned rappel before beginning. Climbing helmets are strongly recommended due to frequent rock falls. The longest of these continuous cracks are almost feet long and vary significantly in width. Technical difficulties range from 5.
Most of the routes at Devils Tower are not bolt protected and therefore require an appropriate selection of stoppers and camming devices in order to safely protect them. The few bolted face climbs that exist were established during the s and early s and the conditions of some of the bolts reflect that era.
Each year about 5, people climb at Devils Tower National Monument. Since that inaugural climb back in , only five climbing deaths have occurred at Devils Tower. All climbers must register for a free climbing permit before climbing, and immediately after climbing each day.
Registration is used for climber safety and also becomes part of a historical database that has been maintained since Registration also provides documentation of the Tower as a climbing resource. It is in YOUR best interest to register. Registration is free. Climbers, please observe any posted route closures. Contact park staff for specific closure areas. Camping is only allowed in the designated campground.
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