Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Devils Tower, Worldwide. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Wyoming, USA
- Country
- Worldwide
- Biome
- Igneous pillar (1,600 m)
- Best season
- April – November
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
Key takeaways
- Biome: Igneous pillar (1,600 m)
- Best season: April – November
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Devils Tower
Topic summary
The USA's first national monument — 866-ft phonolite pillar with 200+ routes.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: April – November
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Igneous pillar (1,600 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Devils Tower trip tools
How to get there
Devils Tower is near Hulett and Sundance in Crook County, northeastern Wyoming, in the Black Hills above the Belle Fourche River. Use those towns as approach-planning anchors and confirm driving directions to the monument before departure.
- Hulett
A nearby town for orienting the approach to Devils Tower; not identified here as a trailhead or monument entrance.
- Sundance
Another nearby town for regional approach planning. Confirm the onward road route and monument entrance arrangements separately.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Devils Tower
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
Animals around Devils Tower
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Devils TowerAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Devils Tower
Planning to fish Devils Tower, Wyoming? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in Wyoming are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at Devils Tower?
- A Wyoming fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Wyoming fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near Devils Tower
Thinking about hunting Devils Tower, Wyoming? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Wyoming are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Devils Tower?
- Confirm the land around Devils Tower is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Wyoming?
- A Wyoming hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
The tower and its setting
Devils Tower is an igneous-rock butte in northeastern Wyoming, near Hulett and Sundance in Crook County. Also known as Matȟó Thípila or Bear Lodge, it stands above the Belle Fourche River in the Black Hills’ Bear Lodge Ranger District. Its dimensions need a little care: the tower rises 867 feet from base to summit, while its height above the river is 1,267 feet. The summit sits at 5,112 feet above sea level. Those measurements describe the formation, not a hiking ascent or a route distance. For trip planning, the defining feature is the contrast between the steep rock mass and its surrounding landscape. Keep the tower itself, the river setting, and the wider Black Hills geography in mind when deciding what to see.
A compact national monument
Devils Tower became the first United States national monument on September 24, 1906, established by President Theodore Roosevelt. The monument boundary encloses 1,347 acres, giving the destination a defined footprint within the broader Black Hills setting. Its national-monument status and its location in the Bear Lodge Ranger District describe different aspects of the place; do not treat the surrounding district as a substitute for monument-specific visitor guidance. A useful visit can focus on the formation’s scale, its igneous rock, and its place above the Belle Fourche River without assuming that reaching the summit is part of an ordinary outing. Bear Lodge and Matȟó Thípila are also names for this same formation, worth recognizing when reading about the destination and its geography.
Build the outing around confirmed access
Plan Devils Tower as a specific monument visit rather than assuming the full range of outdoor activities associated with the Rocky Mountain states is available within its boundary. The wider region supports hiking, camping, cycling, and other outdoor pursuits, but those regional possibilities do not establish local routes or facilities at the tower. Start with Hulett and Sundance as nearby geographic anchors, then confirm the actual approach and visitor arrangements before departure. For an outdoor visit, carry water, bring layers suited to the forecast, and choose an outing that matches the group’s ability. Keep elevation figures separate from route information: neither the summit elevation nor the tower’s height tells how far a visitor must walk. Confirm any intended trail or technical objective before making it the centerpiece of the day.
Route options
- Devils Tower: formation-focused visit
Plan a visit centered on the igneous-rock butte and its 867-foot base-to-summit relief. This is a visit focus, not a specified walking route; confirm suitable visitor paths before setting out.
- Devils Tower: landscape-focused visit
Focus on the tower’s relationship to the Black Hills and the Belle Fourche River below it. This is a landscape-viewing objective, not a river-access route or a named trail; confirm accessible viewing locations locally.
Sample itineraries
- Devils Tower landscape visit · 1 day
Focus on Devils Tower National Monument and its setting above the Belle Fourche River. Make the igneous rock formation the main subject for observation and photography. Confirm available visitor access before planning walks.
- Bear Lodge geology and history · 2 days
Split a relaxed visit between observing the tower’s rock form and understanding its landscape and national monument history. Use the second day for another look at the formation rather than assuming additional routes or activities are available. Confirm access with the managing agency.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring
Check local forecasts and ground conditions before choosing outdoor activities. Regional recreation guidance does not establish spring access at Devils Tower; keep plans flexible.
Summer
Summer
Summer supports hiking and other outdoor recreation across the broader region. Confirm which activities and access options are available at the monument, and carry water and sun protection.
Fall
Fall
Plan around current weather and available daylight rather than assuming summer conditions continue. Bring layers for an outdoor visit and confirm local access.
Winter
Winter
Winter sports occur across the broader region, but that does not establish skiing or snowboarding opportunities at Devils Tower. Check local conditions and access before traveling; pack insulating layers for time outdoors.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring | Check local forecasts and ground conditions before choosing outdoor activities. Regional recreation guidance does not establish spring access at Devils Tower; keep plans flexible. |
| Summer | Summer | Summer supports hiking and other outdoor recreation across the broader region. Confirm which activities and access options are available at the monument, and carry water and sun protection. |
| Fall | Fall | Plan around current weather and available daylight rather than assuming summer conditions continue. Bring layers for an outdoor visit and confirm local access. |
| Winter | Winter | Winter sports occur across the broader region, but that does not establish skiing or snowboarding opportunities at Devils Tower. Check local conditions and access before traveling; pack insulating layers for time outdoors. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current permit requirements and visitor access with the agency managing Devils Tower National Monument.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- The tower stands 867 feet from base to summit. Treat steep rock and exposed terrain as serious fall hazards, not casual walking ground.
- The Belle Fourche River lies below the tower. If approaching water, assess footing and current rather than assuming a safe crossing.
- Weather exposure matters during outdoor visits. Check the forecast and carry layers appropriate to current conditions.
What to pack for Devils Tower
- Drinking water
- Sun protection
- Weather-appropriate layers
- Small first-aid kit
- Supportive footwear suitable for the planned terrain
- Camera or binoculars for observing the formation
- Current visitor access information
Devils Tower FAQ
- Where is Devils Tower?
- Devils Tower is in northeastern Wyoming, near Hulett and Sundance in Crook County. It stands above the Belle Fourche River in the Black Hills’ Bear Lodge Ranger District.
- What kind of formation is it?
- Devils Tower is a laccolithic butte composed of igneous rock.
- How tall is Devils Tower?
- It stands 867 feet from base to summit and rises 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River. Its summit is 5,112 feet above sea level.
- What other names does Devils Tower have?
- It is also known as Matȟó Thípila or Bear Lodge.
- Why is its monument designation significant?
- Devils Tower was the first United States national monument. President Theodore Roosevelt established it on September 24, 1906. The monument encompasses 1,347 acres.