Devils Tower National Monument
Devils Tower, WY
A 867-foot column of rock that is sacred to many Plains tribes. A 1.3-mile trail loops around its base.
Devils Tower rises 264 m (867 feet) above its base and 386 m (1,267 feet) above the Belle Fourche River. The tower is made of phonolite porphyry, an igneous rock with large feldspar crystals, and formed about 50 million years ago from magma that cooled underground. In 1906 President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed it the first national monument in the United States. Many Native American peoples consider it sacred; in Lakota it is called Mato Tipila, "Bear Lodge."
The most popular walk is the paved Tower Trail, 2 km (1.3 miles) around the base of the tower; other trails explore the surroundings. Climbing is generally allowed, but in June climbers are asked to refrain voluntarily out of respect for American Indian ceremonies, and some routes close during falcon nesting season. The monument has a first-come, first-served campground but no lodging or food service.
- Nearest town
- Devils Tower, WY
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 44.5902, -104.7146
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Belle Fourche CampgroundCampsite1 mi from Devils Tower National Monument
- Devils Tower NM - Belle Fourche CampgroundCampsite1 mi from Devils Tower National Monument · 50 pitches
- Devils Tower KOACampsite1 mi from Devils Tower National MonumentCaravans
- Cook Lake Recreation AreaCampsite15 mi from Devils Tower National Monument · 32 pitches
- Reuter CampgroundCampsite18 mi from Devils Tower National Monument · 24 pitches
- Sundance Horse CampCampsite21 mi from Devils Tower National MonumentTentsCaravans
All campsites in Wyoming · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Devils Tower National Monument?
Devils Tower National Monument is in Devils Tower, WY, at GPS 44.5902, -104.7146. It is about 21 mi from Sundance.
Can you camp near Devils Tower National Monument?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Belle Fourche Campground, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 8 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Devils Tower National Monument?
Devils Tower National Monument is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Badlands and the Black Hills with kids and Deadwood and Spearfish Canyon.
What is there to see near Devils Tower National Monument?
Places worth a stop nearby: Spearfish Canyon (43 mi), Deadwood Historic Downtown (51 mi), Jewel Cave National Monument (74 mi) and Crazy Horse Memorial (75 mi).
When is the best time to visit Devils Tower National Monument?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)