Devils Tower National Monument is a geologic wonder unlike any other. Towering 1,267 feet above the picturesque Belle Fourche River Valley, Devils Tower dominates the landscape in northeast Wyoming. Wyoming is perhaps best known for being the home of Yellowstone, a land of unparalleled beauty, and America’s first national park. While not as famous as Yellowstone, Devils Tower is notable in its own right. In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt designated Devils Tower as the country’s very first national monument.
Walking around the base of Devils Tower is an exercise in perspective. The tower appears symmetrical at first, but you quickly realize that each side has its own unique and magnificent views. Walking along the mile long Tower Trail, you get to experience Devils Tower from a wide variety of perspectives, with each step seemingly revealing something new and spectacular. Probably my favorite view of the tower is on the East side, which features “The Window”, a 300 foot high alcove in the middle of the tower’s face. As if an 867 foot high geologic formation needed more distinctive features, it’s details like “The Window” that make Devils Tower truly one of a kind.
Devils Tower is spectacular all on its own, but the fact that it’s located in the middle of a beautiful river valley, only enhances its appeal. While hiking the Tower Trail, take in the views of not only the tower but the surrounding scenery. Turn around and you’ll see ponderosa pine forests, lightly colored meadows, and the calming waters of the Belle Fourche River. One of the prettier views you’ll find anywhere.
For those of you interesting in seeing Devils Tower, the easiest way is to tack it on to a trip to the Black Hills. I say that not just because South Dakota is my new favorite state, but because it’s the easiest way to get there. Devils Tower is only an hour from the northern Black Hills, compared to 8 hours away from Yellowstone in western Wyoming. Assuming you’re not devoting an entire trip to seeing Devils Tower, South Dakota’s Black Hills are the most convenient vacation option in the area. But regardless of how you get there, Devils Tower is a sight to see, and well worth the trip.
