National park · United States
Devils Tower National MonumentMato Tipila (Lakota)
Give Devils Tower half a day: walk the 1.3 mi Tower Trail before 10:00, add the 2.8 mi Red Beds loop if you have two hours, and skip the midday queue — visitor-centre parking fills 10:00–15:00 in summer and metering can cost 45 min.Give Devils Tower half a day: walk the 1.3 mi Tower Trail before 10:00 AM, add the 2.8 mi Red Beds loop if you have two hours, and skip the midday queue — visitor-centre parking fills 10:00 AM–3:00 PM in summer and metering can cost 45 min.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
5 km²2 sq mi
approximate
Established
1906
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 5 km²2 sq mi
- About 1,347 acres (check). The monument boundary is small; the surrounding Black Hills National Forest starts roughly 16 km east.
- Established
- 1906
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Devils Tower is a single, unmistakable object: a phonolite monolith of fluted columns rising about 265 m above the Belle Fourche River at the edge of the Black Hills. Roosevelt made it the first US national monument in 1906. It is sacred ground to Lakota, Arapaho, Shoshone, Cheyenne and Crow people, who still hold ceremonies here, and it is the closing scene of Close Encounters of the Third Kind. You do not need a full day: the base walk is short, the outer loop is gentle, and the real planning problem is arriving outside the summer parking crush.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1906.
Size and age
5 km²2 sq mi · national park since 1906
About 1,347 acres (check). The monument boundary is small; the surrounding Black Hills National Forest starts roughly 16 km east.
Why go
- A 265 m columnar monolith you can circle on foot in under an hour.
- Sacred site with living ceremonies — prayer cloths hang in the trees along the base trail.
- Prairie dog towns and prairie falcons on the approach road, no extra ticket.
- Easy stop between the Black Hills, Badlands and Yellowstone on I-90.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, snow, park road can ice up
- FebCold; quiet if you are equipped
- MarMelt and mud; variable
- AprCool, few people
- MayMild, green prairie, climbers return
- JunLong days; afternoon storms
- JulHot and busiest; arrive before 10:00Hot and busiest; arrive before 10:00 AM
- AugHot and busy; storm risk
- SepWarm days, thinner crowds
- OctCool and clear; some snow late
- NovCold, very quiet
- DecSnow; check road status
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie falcons nesting on the towerApr–Jul · Some climbing routes close each year to protect nestlings. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Black-tailed prairie dogsApr–Oct · Active colonies along the entrance road. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Mule deer and pronghorn on the prairieMay–Jun, Sep–Oct · Dawn and dusk along the outer trails. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| RattlesnakesMay–Sep · Stay on trail; watch hands and feet on rock. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Rapid City, SD
I-90 west to US-14, then WY-24 to the entrance on WY-110.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Gillette, WY
US-14 east to WY-24, then north to the monument.
1–1.5 h
From Hulett, WY
WY-24 south to the park road; nearest food and fuel.
15 min
From Black Hills and Mount Rushmore
US-14 or I-90 west, then WY-24; a natural half-day stop.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre and tower base | Exhibits, bookstore, restrooms and the start of the Tower Trail. | Open with entry fee; parking limited. |
| Tower Trail ring | The 1.3 mi loop around the columns, with prayer cloths in the pines. | Open; stay on the path. |
| Red Beds and Joyner Ridge | Outer prairie loops with river views and the softer red sandstone. | Open; no fee beyond entry. |
| Prairie dog town and entrance road | Colonies along the park road; pull-outs for viewing. | Open; stay in the car or on the road. |
Sketch map
- 1Entrance station (WY-110) · Gate≈44.589, -104.701Map ↗
- 2Visitor centre · Headquarters≈44.590, -104.721Map ↗
- 3Tower Trail start · Trail≈44.590, -104.720Map ↗
- 4Prairie dog town · Viewpoint≈44.586, -104.708Map ↗
- 5Wind Circle sculpture · Viewpoint≈44.583, -104.710Map ↗
- 6Belle Fourche River Campground · Sleep≈44.582, -104.707Map ↗
- 7Hulett · Town≈44.683, -104.602Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance, private vehicle | US$25 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; valid 7 days (check) |
| Entrance, motorcycle | US$20 | motorcycle | 2026 estimate (check) |
| Entrance, per person on foot or bike | US$15 | person | 2026 estimate (check) |
| Belle Fourche River Campground | US$20–30 | night | Individual site; group sites higher. First-come, first-served (check) |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | year | Covers entry here and at federal fee sites for 12 months |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entrance fee permit or guide
Rock climbing permit or guide
Commercial filming or drone use permit or guide
Park rules
- Do not approach prairie dogs
- Their fleas can carry plague; view from the road and keep children back.
- Respect the sacred site
- Prayer cloths and offerings in the trees are not souvenirs; do not touch or photograph them closely.
- Drones
- Launching drones is prohibited in the monument.
- Climbing closures
- Voluntary June closure and annual falcon closures apply to some routes; check at the visitor centre.
- Campfires
- Only in provided rings when fire danger allows; camp stoves otherwise. Check current fire restrictions.
- Pets
- Allowed on roads and in the campground, not on trails; keep leashed.
Where to stay
In the park
Belle Fourche River Campground
46 first-come sites among cottonwoods, no hookups, no showers; 14-night limit.
Near the park
Devils Tower Lodge
Small B&B in a former superintendent's house off the Joyner Ridge road.
Near the park
Hulett
Motels and cabins 15 min north; nearest restaurants.
Near the park
Sundance
Larger town 30 min southeast with more beds and services.
Safety
Summer heat on exposed trails medium
Afternoon thunderstorms medium
Plague from prairie dogs low
Winter road ice medium
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, restrooms and a section of the Tower Trail are wheelchair accessible; the full loop has steps and uneven gravel.
- Accessible campsites and parking are available at the visitor centre and campground.
- Service animals are allowed on trails; pets are not.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on trail to protect fragile prairie and the base vegetation.
- Pack out all rubbish; bins are limited outside the visitor centre.
- Do not buy or take prayer cloths or rock fragments.
- Treat the tower as a cultural site, not only a photo stop.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Devils Tower National Monument?
A private vehicle pays about US$25 for a 7-day pass, a motorcycle about US$20 and a walker or cyclist about US$15 (2026 estimate; confirm current rates). The America the Beautiful annual pass at US$80 covers entry here and at other federal fee sites for a year.
What are the best hikes in Devils Tower National Monument?
The Tower Trail is the one to do: 1.3 mi around the base, 45–60 minutes, easy with a few steps. Add the 2.8 mi Red Beds Trail for prairie and river views, or the shorter Joyner Ridge loop for the long view back at the tower.
When is the best time to visit Devils Tower National Monument?
May, June, September and early October give mild weather and manageable crowds. July and August are hottest and busiest, with visitor-centre parking full between 10:00 and 15:00; arrive before 10:00 or after 16:00. Winter is quiet but the road can ice up.
How long do you need at Devils Tower?
Half a day covers the visitor centre, the Tower Trail and the prairie dog town. Add two hours if you walk the Red Beds loop, and a full day if you are climbing.
Can you climb Devils Tower?
Yes, with registration at the visitor centre and proper traditional climbing experience. Some routes close each year while prairie falcons nest, and a voluntary closure in June respects tribal ceremonies.
Is Devils Tower worth a detour from the Black Hills?
Yes if you are already driving I-90 between Rapid City and Gillette: it is 1.5–2 hours from Rapid City and fits a half-day stop. It is not worth a dedicated long flight on its own.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go