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National monument · Hulett, Wyoming
Devils Tower National Monument
Volcanic rock tower rising about 265 meters above the base, sacred to Plains peoples and the first U.S. national monument.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Devils Tower National Monument
Devils Tower is an igneous rock tower that rises roughly 265 meters above the surrounding terrain, with vertical, multi-faceted columns that resemble a bundle of pencils. Geologists explain that magma cooled below the surface and erosion removed the softer surrounding rock; the details of the formation are still studied.
For more than 20 Plains peoples, such as the Lakota, Cheyenne and Kiowa, the site is sacred and has names like Bear Lodge, linked to stories of bears clawing the rock. In 1906 President Theodore Roosevelt designated the tower the first U.S. national monument, and the 1977 film Close Encounters of the Third Kind made it widely known.
The Tower Trail, about 2 km and paved, circles the base through pines and fallen blocks. Climbers ascend via cracks in the columns, and in June the park asks them to avoid climbing out of respect for Indigenous ceremonies. At the entrance, a prairie dog colony sits by the roadside.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Two to three hours.
Best time
Early morning or late afternoon, when side light highlights the columns; from May to October, when the trails are free of snow.
How to get there
About 15 km from Hulett by car, via WY-24 highway.
Tip
Entrance is charged per vehicle; check the park website. Respect the prayer ties left on the trees—do not touch them or photograph them up close.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Devils Tower National Monument
How tall is Devils Tower?
About 265 meters above the surrounding terrain.
Can you walk around Devils Tower?
Yes, the Tower Trail, about 2 km and paved, circles the base.
Why is Devils Tower sacred?
For more than 20 Plains peoples, the tower is a sacred site tied to stories and ceremonies; in June the park asks climbers to avoid ascending.