Devils Tower

Location

Wyoming
United States
44° 35' 26.232" N, 104° 42' 56.52" W
US
General info: 

Devils Tower is the most improbable rock formation rising dramatically 1,267 feet (386 m) above the surrounding terrain with summit 5,114 feet (1,559 m) above sea level.

It was the first declared United States National Monument, established in 1906. For Native Americans it has been a sacred place from ancient times.

It is not completely certain how the mountain has been formed. Most common theories say that it is either a laccolith or a volcanic plug. In either of the cases Devils Tower is formed of molten rock that has cooled and become solid igneous rock. It did not visibly protrude out of the landscape until the overlying sedimentary rocks eroded away.

Today it is a popular tourist destination with 400,000 annual visitors. Not surprisingly, it is also very popular among rock climbers.

Getting there: 

The access by car is very easy. Devils Tower is located off Wyoming State Route 24, which is accessed via US Route 14. The US-14/WY-24 intersection is about 1 hour east of Gillette and 1 hour and 30 minutes west of Rapid City.

Costs: 

Admission Rates
1-7 Day Vehicle Pass-$10
1-7 Day Motorcycle Pass-$5
1-7 Day Individual Permit (by feet or bicycle)-$5

Devils Tower National Monument is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week except December 25 and January 1.

The Visitor Center hours:
April 5 - Nov. 26; Beginning May 27, daily 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sept. 4 hours change to 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Interesting places nearby

Bridger Bowl Ski Area has a goal of offering a quality ski experience at an affordable price, and does not disappoint.

Brighton Resort, located at the top of Utah’s Big Cottonwood Canyon, claims to be about these three things: snow, terrain and value.

Big Sky has three mountains to delight skiers and snowboarders. Lone Mountain is the resort's signature peak, rising to 11,166 feet. The Lone Peak Tram takes the adventuresome to its apex with European style expert terrain below.

Arapahoe Basin likes to put private://legendprivate:// alongside their name. While that may sound like a bad case of private://tall hat, no cattle,private:// the people who ski here don't seem to mind.

Anyplace else this would be four separate vacations: Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. You'll find more than 5,300 acres of terrain and endless dining, nightlife, and shopping.

private://The Beavprivate:// is the quieter side of the Vail Valley, but it is a full-scale, World Class resort. The centerpiece is the ultra-plush Hyatt Regency Hotel.