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

Beaver Mountain near Logan believes in the personal touch. The first snowboards were allowed on the slopes and the first boardercross race was held on Little Beaver in 1998.

Alta Ski Area, located in the Little Cottonwood Canyon region of Utah, is a must visit for anyone that calls themselves a true skier.

The Andes Tower Hills Ski Area is located smack dab in the middle of Minnesota’s farm country. The Anderson Brothers envisioned a ski area on Tower Hill and Andes Tower Hills was born.

  • No more items