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A Day at Devils Tower National Monument
Devils Tower is this odd and spectacular rock formation that rises 867ft from the ground with nothing else around it, and it can be visible for miles. Devils Tower is also known as Bear Lodge by the Native American Tribes. Although there isn’t much to do around Devils Tower other than walk the 1.6 mile loop around the rock formation, it’s worth the hour detour from I90, as the place has a sacred and magical feel surrounding it. Plan on a 2-3 hour stop to see the prairie dogs, enjoy the hike, and read a bit about the legend and history at the Visitor Center.
Location, Lodging, and Parking
Devils Tower is about an hour detour for anyone traveling on I90, west of the Black Hills. It’s an hour between Devils Tower and Spearfish and almost 2 hours to Rapid City. As someone who has traveled I90 going west frequently, Devils Tower is about the last interesting thing west of the Black Hills until Bighorn National Forest. For anyone looking for a place to get out and walk for a bit during a road trip, this is a great place to stop.
As there is just one main hike at Devils Tower, parking for the trail is at the Visitor Center. As Devils Tower is a National Park there is a vehicle fee of $25, or you can put that money towards an America the Beautiful Pass ($80 and honored at all National Parks and Monuments) good for 12 rolling months.
There isn’t much nearby for lodging with exception of a KOA campground. I’ve stayed at several KOA campgrounds, this one included, and although they are at the pricier end of campgrounds, they are often worth it. These campgrounds include hot showers and there are often cabins available for rent which have bedding included, so slightly rustier than a hotel, but all of the amenities are available. The one downside to KOAs though for people who tent - these are not private sites, they are right next each other.
Our campsite during a July 2016 road trip when we stopped in Devils Tower, which made a nice break between Yellowstone and Rapid City.
Hiking Around Devils Tower
Devils Tower Map - The main 1.6 hiking loop around Devils Tower is marked in blue. The prairie dog town visible from the road to Devils Tower is marked with a yellow star. The Devils Tower KOA Campground is marked with a red star.
I’ve stopped at Devils Tower twice, so far. Once during a road trip to the Oregon coastline in 2010, and again with our children while we were returning to Minnesota from a camping trip in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. Pictures from both trips are included.
The first interesting stop when traveling to Devils Tower is the Prairie Dog Town. This will be before arriving at the visitor. “Interesting” is honestly going to be dependent on how much roundtripping you’ve done in the Midwest. If you are coming from the east and have already stopped at Badlands National Park, you will have seen so many prairie dogs, you will simply ignore them. For anyone arriving from the west or the south, prairie dogs may seem still a bit out of the ordinary and be worth a pullout to take pictures. I do love their sweet calls and how playful they are, despite how many times I’ve watched them in various Midwest parks.
Prairie dog farm outside of Devils Tower National Monument
There will be several stunning pullouts to view Devils Tower from on the way in as well. This rock formation is the whole point of the hour detour from I90, so you might as well pull over and take pictures.
My first real glimpses of Devils Tower
At the Visitor Center, in addition to reading the exhibit information, remember you can request a Junior Ranger book (at any age) for free. These are fun books because you will continue learning as you work your way around the park and continue to complete activities.
One Native American legend is that the lines down Devils Tower were formed from giant bear claws
Hiking around Devils Tower in 2010 without our children present
The below pictures are from our hike around Devils Tower in 2016 at the end of our hiking trip to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons while on our way back to Minnesota.
Devils Tower viewed from the beginning of the trail
We had pretty young boys on our trip in 2016. Although a 1.6 mile loop isn’t far for them to hike today, at that time, any short lift they could get from Dad would make them smile.
Sometimes dads have to carry both boys while hiking
Another view of Devils Tower
Junior Ranger books are fantastic because you can have your kids do homework on their summer vacation. If they complete the activities, they get a junior ranger badge. We had enough time to stop and let them work on the book during the hike. For anyone in a hurry, keep working on the activities in the car and mail in the book. The book will be returned along with a badge. Or another option is simply to ask the rangers for a badge to be provided to the kids once they finish the actitivies.
Stopping to work through a couple of Junior Ranger activities along the hike
View of the surrounding area from Devils Tower
Had to include this picture as it makes me laugh… Sometimes those books are hard to fill out…
Continuing to hike around Devils Tower
One last picture of the boys in front of the monument
Along any National Park or Monument trail, you never know what you’ll find. On this trip we spotted a baby fawn and its mom and a snake.
Deer resting just beyond the Devils Tower loop trail
Snake staying cool under a rock nearby the trail surrounding Devils Tower
He finished scribbling on his Junior Ranger book, got his Junior Ranger badge, and appreciated not having to walk the rest of the way back to the car.
Other Things Nearby
Explore Waterfalls along Spearfish Canyon
Swim at Hippie Hole
Trailheads at Sylvan Lake
Visit Mount Rushmore
Tour Jewel Cave National Monument
Tour Wind Cave National Park
Exploring Badlands National Park
Visit Minute Missile National Historic Site
More from NatureImpactsUs.com
To see additional hikes I’ve written about around the country, click on a pin, and then click on the hyperlink. Use two fingers to zoom in and move around within the map.