²dzԲ’s is having a “big moment” this September, the 120th anniversary of its crowning as the nation’s . But its biggest international fame came in 1977, the year that the classic film “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” was released.
The tower was the backdrop for a convergence of the film’s main characters and extraterrestrials. The character played by Richard Dreyfuss, in one of his many iconic roles, had figured out that a series of numbers broadcast by UFOs indicated the coordinates of Devils Tower. The movie’s success actually doubled visitation to the tower the following year.
“Devils Tower rises up out of the Wyoming plains in a way that stops you in your tracks. Itap not just a geologic wonder; itap a place layered with meaning,” said Domenic Bravo, executive director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism.
“As America’s first national monument, it holds a defining place in our national story, while continuing to be a sacred site for many Indigenous tribes. Places like Devils Tower remind us that the most powerful way to celebrate is to experience these landscapes firsthand, slowly, respectfully and with deeper appreciation for the history and cultures that shaped them.”
The tower soars in northeast Wyoming, and its summit is roughly the size of a football field. Near the border with South Dakota, the two states share the Black Hills region. Scientists believe that Devils Tower was formed some 65 million years ago by molten lava forced into hard rock formations. After millions of years of cooling and erosion, the site, sacred to the Lakota and other Plains Tribes, became the striking site that it is today.
Thanks to a legend arising from the deep vertical grooves surrounding the tower, it is also known as The grooves were believed to be from a giant bear’s claws.
While it is common knowledge that Yellowstone was designated the first National Park in 1916, in 1906, Devils Tower was named by President Theodore Roosevelt. The Antiquities Act authorized Roosevelt to set aside “historical landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest that are upon lands owned or controlled by the United States as National Monuments.”
Stargazing is a renowned activity at Devils Tower, due to its dark sky location. Naturally, weather conditions are critical. There are many online resources to check sky conditions at Devils Tower, including at the . One of the best views of the tower with very little light pollution is at the , which is reached by turning left onto a gravel road before reaching the Visitor Center. Another spot is the, reached by turning left at the park administration building. and proceed to the picnic area.
Devils Tower National Monument hosts night sky programs throughout the year, listed on the and the event calendar.
Know before you go
In addition to the monument’s daily ranger talks (starting at 10 a.m. through Oct. 12) at the Pavilion, other events are scheduled throughout autumn. Check the National Park Service’s for details and a current schedule of other events.
● Devil’s Tower sees around 500,000 visitors per year; over 80% of visitors come between Memorial Day and Labor Day (late May to early September).
● Parking is very limited. The park often experiences maximum parking capacity for several hours every day throughout the summer.
● Road conditions in the region are variable. Closures may occur through the winter, and construction projects are common throughout the summer.
● Climbing is a common form of recreation at the park. When planning a climbing trip, be aware of possible route closures. Each June, Devils Tower enacts a voluntary climbing freeze to allow uninterrupted access for tribal ceremonies.
● Depending on your mode of transportation, Devils Tower National Monument has . One price point for private vehicles (cars, trucks, vans, RVs), another for motorcycles, and lastly, one for individuals walking or biking, etc.
Where to stay
is just outside the national monument boundary. Family-owned and operated, the cozy bed-and-breakfast lodge features just six rooms, a mini-museum filled with Devils Tower artifacts and memorabilia, a hot tub and a terrace with excellent views of the monument. Gabe and Rachel Skiera have managed (and now own) the lodge since 2018.
They also operate , with a variety of guided climbing experiences on Devils Tower and in the Black Hills, for everyone from novice level to expert. Skiera says that they host about 500 climbers per year, from all over the world. The season for climbing is generally May to mid-October.
“We get people on the so-called ‘Great American Road Trip,’” the Tennessee native said. “Many fly into Rapid City, South Dakota, and then come here, then continue on.”
Skiera observes that many visitors think the area will be flat and barren. “We have rolling hills and green meadows filled with wildflowers and turkeys gobbling. Prairie Rose, purple Harebells and pink Astrid flowers bloom. It is so pretty,” he said. “I love it here, and have spent more time here than anywhere else in my life.”
Irene Middleman Thomas is a Denver-based freelance writer.
