Devils Tower National Monument
Time Needed: 1-2 hours, half-day
Experience Type: photo op, scenic views
America’s first national monument, Devils Tower is both a sacred site and geological marvel. This dramatic butte, made famous in Steven Spielberg’s 1977 sci-fi classic, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, offers incredible opportunities for hiking, climbing, and stargazing.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Hike the Tower Trail – This 1.3-mile paved loop circles the base of Devils Tower, offering awe-inspiring views. Interpretive signs share the park’s natural and cultural history.
- Stop in the Visitor Center – Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps using ponderosa pine logs, this historic building is as fascinating as the exhibits inside.
- Join a Ranger Program – From Memorial Day to Labor Day, evening talks at the amphitheater range from prairie dogs and night skies to the history of Devils Tower.
- See the Prairie Dogs – Around 600 black-tailed prairie dogs make their home here, popping in and out of burrows. They’re fun to watch, but give them space to keep them safe and wild.
- Check Out the Sculpture – The Circle of Sacred Smoke, symbolizing the first puff of smoke from a newly lit pipe, honors Devils Tower’s spiritual meaning for more than 20 affiliated tribes.
Sleep Soundly: Stay just steps from Devils Tower at Devils Tower KOA, where cabins, tent sites, and RV sites offer unbeatable monument views. Gather under the stars for an outdoor screening of Close Encounters of the Third Kind—with the real Devils Tower as the backdrop.
Photo Credit: Mick Haupt/Pexels