The drive to Devil Tower is a study in vastness. Two-lane roads, mostly empty, stretched across endless prairie grasslands. The tall grass rippled in the wind, creating waves like river water. There’s a palpable shift in the atmosphere as you approach Devil’s Tower.
It’s not the most convenient place to visit. Mile after mile of flat, seemingly endless grassland stretches in every direction. It’s a canvas of subtle hues under an infinite sky. Then, suddenly, it appears: a colossal monolith rising from the plains. It’s an anomaly that should not exist, yet there it stands. It is a testament to a force beyond the ordinary.
Goosebumps prickled my skin. It’s not just its size—comparable to the Empire State Building—but the sheer, undeniable presence it exuded. It loomed. The word that felt created for this thing.
What is Devil’s Tower?
Nobody exactly knows and scientists disagree. In geologic terms, it’s a butte or a stock that likely used to be a more mushroom-shaped laccolith. It’s composed of rare igneous rock: phonolite porphyry. It’s the most significant example of columnar jointing in the world. Scientists believe it was likely formed by magma, which cooled underground and was later exposed by erosion.
All that to say, it’s a mystery.
It rises 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River, a striking landmark in the Black Hills region. But there’s nothing simple about it. It stands 867 feet from summit to base and every inch of it mesmerizes.
Of all the national monuments I’ve visited, Devil’s Tower stands alone. Its singularity, its unique energy, is undeniable.
Bear Lodge Mystical Origins
Devil’s Tower, or Bear Lodge as it’s known to many Native American tribes, is more than just a geological marvel. It’s a place of deep spiritual significance, steeped in mystery and legend.
The tower is believed to possess mysterious powers. It offers divine protection and a place for vision quests, pipe ceremonies and other spiritual rites. This energy was born of dramatic geological events, power eruptions and fantastic erosion.
I understand why Native American tribes consider it sacred.
After you drive nearly six hours from any direction across plain, flat land and approach this monolith rising out of the middle of nowhere, it’s hard to believe it’s completely natural.
Many tribes still conduct ceremonies and tie prayer bundles to the surrounding trees.
Significance of Prayer Bundles or Cloths
As you explore the park, you’ll see pieces of fabric tied to trees and bushes. These illustrate the sacred nature of this space for many tribes in the area. They are called prayer cloths, prayer bundles, or prayer ties. Other names are used depending on the practices of the person offering them. They represent an offering or a personal connection to that space. Their precise form, meaning, and practice vary.
Many tribes still use the park for traditional ceremonies. Visitors will see prayer cloths attached to trees around the park, especially along the Tower Trail.
Good Idea: Sitting quietly and listening to the wind whip the prayer clothes is a great meditation.
Stories of Devil’s Tower, a Sacred Place
For over two dozen Native American tribes, Devil’s Tower is not only a sacred site but legendary. Legends speak of a giant bear clawing the mountainside as it chased young maidens, creating the tower’s distinctive grooves.
There are many stories about Devil’s Tower as the “birthplace of wisdom.” It’s where the Great Bear taught Lakota shamans the sacred language and healing ceremonies at Bear Lodge.
Other stories say “the Great Spirit” placed Devil’s Tower there for a special reason.
Today, the area is still an active, sacred location. Many traditional cultural and spiritual ceremonial activities are still performed there, including prayer offerings, vision quests, and the Sun Dance.
Hiking Devil’s Tower
The park itself is refreshingly simple. Trails wind around the monument, inviting exploration and contemplation.
Red Bed Trail 3-mile outer loop: This trail takes you away to see it from a vantage. It is surrounded by the Belle Fourche River valley.
Fun Fact: Devil’s Tower National Monument was the first national monument in the United States. President Theodore Roosevelt established it in 1906.
Tower Trail 1.7-mile inner trail: This loop is paved around the monument’s base. It gives you an up-close look at some of the unique geology of the tower. The base of the Tower is strewn with large rocks that have broken away from weathering.
Find other hikes and more details on the National Park’s website.
Formations of Devil’s Tower
The vertical columns of Devil’s Tower are its most unique and rare aspect. The formation is called columnar jointing. It happens when magma cools ingenious rocks and they crack, creating stress points. The stress points form near-perfect five or 6-sided hexagon shapes. They remind me of crystal – oh, the miraculous things our planet creates!
The tower’s columns are hundreds of feet tall and up to 10 feet wide. Scientists struggle to explain the variation in shape or size with any agreement.
See if you can find “The Window.” It’s a thinning crack in the tower that has left a square area in the wall. It’s one of the most striking features of the tower and a popular destination for rock climbers.
Devil’s Tower Stargazing
The remote location makes Devil’s Tower a prime spot for stargazing. The gift shops sells items with the tower’s silhouette against a dramatic night sky.
Fun Fact: Devil’s Tower became a pop culture phenomenon in Steven Speilberg’s movie “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”
Joyner Ridge Parking Lot and Trail and the Circle of Sacred Smoke Sculpture and Picnic Area are popular areas to park for sky gazing.
The park also hosts guided night sky programs sharing Lakota constellations and history. Check the ranger programs page or the park’s event calendar for schedules.
Climbing Devil’s Tower
The park is a rock climber’s haven, but it’s controversial because it desecrates the sacredness of the tower. Because of this, climbing is strongly discouraged in June, when ceremonies connected to the summer solstice are held. The park also closes climbing in April for falcon nesting.
Exploring the Surrounding Powder River Area
Devil’s Tower is part of the Powder River Group of parks. You could visit other national park sites if you’re in the area. Nearby are Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore and Wind Cave National Park.
Nearby state parks include Keyhole Reservoir, Custer State Park and the Vore Buffalo Jump. Other national monuments, such as Jewel Cave National Monument and Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, are also in the area.
The Black Hills National Forest, with 1.2 million acres of forested mountains throughout western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, isn’t far and is worth a drive.
Planning Your Visit
- There is a park campground. It’s available on a first-come, first-served basis. Numerous other campgrounds are in the area.
- Hulett, Wyoming, is the closest town to Devil’s Tower, where you can rent a hotel room. Book in advance – it’s not a big town.
- Check the park site before visiting for closures and events.
- Leave no trace.
Devil’s Tower is a place that lingers in the mind. It’s a powerful reminder of the earth’s raw beauty and the enduring power of tradition. It’s a journey worth taking, a chance to experience the energy of a truly remarkable place.
Read more stories about national parks and monuments here.
