Rising dramatically over the Belle Fourche River in northeastern Wyoming, Devils Tower is a giant flat topped rock formation that stands at almost 900 feet tall. Dominating the rugged prairie landscape, this striking geological feature has inspired legends and native spiritual traditions for millenia, and was named America’s first National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906.
And the massive igneous rock column has also inspired some pretty daring acts of showmanship, most notably in 1941 when George Hopkins became the first person to successfully land a parachute on the table top of Devils Tower. Unfortunately, Hopkins was stranded on Devils Tower for 6 days because his climbing ropes were damaged when he landed, although he did eventually get back down to safety on the plains below.
Devils Tower was formed millions of years ago by cooling magma, and stands like a giant sentinel watching over the pine covered hills and rolling prairies of the American Mountain West. Devils Tower is recognized as the largest columnar jointing rock formation on the planet, and showcases rare vertical geometric rock patterns. The monument first shot to world fame after it starred in 1977 film Close Encounters of the Third Kind, but for native American tribes it’s long been a site of important spiritual significance.
Located in the Black Hills region of northeastern Wyoming, near the town of Hulett in Crook County, the iconic landmark attracts photographers, nature lovers, and adventurous travelers from all over the world. Also known as ‘Bear Lodge’ or ‘Bear Tipi’ by native tribes, visitors can learn about the region’s native heritage, explore the hiking trails that criss-cross its lower slopes, camp out under the stars, or experience some of America’s most unique rock climbing routes.
Set away from the crowded tourist hotspots, the 1,347 acre Devils Tower National Monument reserve evokes a powerful sense of solitude in which you can feel deeply connected to the wilderness and the ancient roots of Native American culture. A spectacular destination for couples looking for an outdoorsy adventure, families who want to make lasting memories with their children, and anyone who’s interested in exploring the untamed side of the American West.
How To Get To Devils Tower, Wyoming, USA
For international visitors to Devils Tower, you’ll first need to fly into Denver International Airport (DEN) in Colorado. This is one of the biggest airports in America and services frequent daily flights from all over the world. Average flight times to Denver International Airport are around 9 to 10 hours from London, 18 to 22 hours from Dubai, 19 to 24 hours from Singapore, and 3 to 4 hours from New York.
Once you land in Denver Airport it’s advisable to hire a car to continue your journey to Rapid City, one of the nearest main towns to Devils Tower. The public transport system in America is very underdeveloped which means it’s extremely difficult for visitors to travel around the country by bus or train – although not impossible!
From Denver International Airport, Rapid City is about 625 km to the north, and the drive should take about 6 hours – and then from Rapid City, Devils Tower is another 1.5 hour drive away. Of course, if you’ve just got off the plane from a long international flight you may want to stop for the night along the way to freshen up; but otherwise, you can make the drive and then rest once you get to your hotel in Rapid City.
Rapid City, in South Dakota, is the main gateway to the Black Hills and Devils Tower, and it’s a great place to stay during your visit. The city has an excellent range of accommodation to suit all budgets, numerous restaurants, shops, and outdoors equipment stores, as well as lots of tour operators leading guided trips into the Black Hills and beyond. It provides you with very easy access to Devils Tower and the Black Hills region, making it a perfect home from home for your stay in rural Wyoming.
What’s The Best Time to Visit Devils Tower, Wyoming, USA?
Wyoming has a continental climate with long hot summers and cold winters. Temperatures during the summer months, between May and late August, range from about 20 to 32 Degrees Celsius, while temperatures in the winter, between December and February, are much colder, averaging between -10 and 5 Degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, spring and autumn temperatures are pleasantly mild, and vary between 5 to 20 Degrees Celsius.
The most popular times to visit Devils Tower and the Black Hills region is during the warm summer months. The sun is shining, the sky is clear, and the day time temperatures are ideal for hiking, climbing, and exploring the Great Outdoors of the American West. What’s more, the daylight hours are longer during the summer which means you can enjoy leisurely evenings after a long day of sightseeing.
However, if you want to avoid the main tourist season, spring and autumn are also good times to visit. During the spring you’ll see the wild flowers in full bloom and in the autumn the forests are filled with beautiful red and yellow leaves. And while temperatures are lower than the summer, if you pack accordingly you can still enjoy some great hiking, star gazing, and adventures in the Black Hills.
The winter time is a beautiful time of year to visit, with snow falls bringing a photogenic contrast to the stark wintertime landscape. However, due to icy conditions the hiking trails can be dangerous to traverse and climbing Devils Tower itself is definitely not a good idea. And so for most visitors this is a time of year to avoid when planning your trip to Devils Tower.
Overall, the best time to visit is during the summer; although if you want to avoid the crowds and save a little on flight and accommodation prices then either the spring or the autumn, on the shoulders of the summer season, are also good times to visit Devils Tower.
Things To Do at Devils Tower and Rapid City, USA
Stay at the Hotel Alex Johnson, Rapid City
The Hotel Alex Johnson, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, is one of Rapid City’s premier upmarket boutique hotels, combining historic charm and highly refined modern luxury. The hotel has excellent amenities, most notably the Vertex Sky Bar, a rooftop lounge with an enticing cocktail menu and spectacular views across the city and the Black Hills beyond.
The hotel also has its own fine dining restaurant, an on-site fitness center, valet parking services, a 24 hour front desk, and an on-site exhibition of local arts and crafts. The hotel’s city center location in Downtown Rapid City means that it’s just a stone’s throw from art galleries, restaurants, shops, and other local attractions.
All of the rooms in the Hotel Alex Johnson are individually designed, blending classic art nouveau themes with contemporary finishes. Each room has a private ensuite bathroom with premium toiletries, free WiFi, a flat screen TV, and a comfortable seating area, with larger suites offering especially stunning views over Rapid City and the Black Hills. The hotel also offers a range of Room Packages which allow guests to take advantage of dining credits in the hotel restaurant, as well as other interesting perks, during your stay.
A fantastic choice for anyone visiting Rapid City with an eye to travel out into the Black Hills to see Devils Tower and the surrounding areas. What’s more the staff at the front desk are always on hand to help you arrange a day trip, organise a tour, or book your onward travel. Great for couples, solo travelers, and culture vultures who want to stay right in the heart of the city, the Hotel Alex Johnson ticks every box for visitors to the Black Hills region.
You can find out more about the Hotel Alex Johnson, and book your rooms, at the official hotel website, here.
Devils Tower and Deadwood with Spearfish Canyon Picnic
Departing from Rapid City, this full day tour explores the astounding scenery of the Black Hills, with relaxed sightseeing stops at Devils Tower, Spearfish Canyon, and other unmissable attractions along the way. Led by an experienced local guide, you’ll learn all about the history of the region as you stop to take photos, wander through the wilderness, and explore the rich native culture of the region.
One of the main highlights of the tour is the visit to the Devils Tower National Monument. Your guide will lead you around the trails at the base of Devils Tower – with stops for photos and refreshments – while recounting stories of the old Wild West, as well as explaining some of the more spiritual native traditions that are associated with the giant rock formation.
After exploring Devils Tower you’ll drive to Spearfish Canyon where you’ll have a picnic lunch in the wilderness – you’ll have a choice of salads and sandwiches with drinks. After lunch, additional stops include Bear Butte State Park, Roughlock Falls State Nature Area, the Geographic Center of the National Monument, Deadwood, and the Old Fort Meade Museum, all of which will give you a deeper insight into the history of the landscapes you’re visiting.
The tour is relaxed, friendly, and informative, giving you plenty of time to wander about the sites, snap some picts, and generally take in the awesome scenery around you. The tour includes a hotel pickup and drop off in Rapid City, as well as all the entrance fees for the places you visit.
You can find out more about the full day tour to Devils Tower, and book your places on the tour, here.
Visit Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills with Two Meals and a Music Variety Show
This full day adventure begins with an all-you-can-eat breakfast at Fort Hays Old West Town in Rapid City, and then sets out to the iconic Mount Rushmore – one of the best known attractions in America. Once you arrive at Mount Rushmore your guide will tell you about the history of the monument celebrating former American presidents, how it was designed by the sculptor Gutzon Borglum, and give you a chance to explore.
Next on the itinerary, you’ll head on to the picturesque Iron Mountain Road before stopping for lunch at the Game Lodge in Custer State Park. For lunch you can try buffalo stew – although there are alternatives available if you don’t eat meat. Other highlights of the day trip include driving along Needles Highway, famous for its granite spires, and a leisurely stop at Sylvan Lake.
After lunch you’ll visit the Crazy Horse Memorial, a sculpture that is still under construction but is set to become the world’s biggest mountain sculpture. It depicts the Oglala Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse, riding his horse and pointing to his traditional tribal lands.
To finish up a whirlwind day of adventure, you’ll have a delicious Chuckwagon Supper meal while enjoying a family-friendly music variety show. A magical way to conclude an enchanting day, this full day of Mount Rushmore and other attractions is a wonderful way to experience some of South Dakota’s most famous landmarks while enjoying lots of great food and entertainment along the way.
You can find out more about the full day Mount Rushmore tour, and book your tickets, here.
All Aboard for a Full Day Jeep Bison Safari Tour with a Lakeside Picnic Lunch
This full-day, small group tour is designed to give visitors an up-close view of the wildlife of South Dakota in their natural setting. The day starts with a hotel pickup in Rapid City before you drive out to Custer State Park where you’ll see some of the region’s most pristine mountain scenery and prairies, complete with a thriving ecosystem of wildlife.
Sitting comfortably in the jeep, you’ll be driven around the park to see the herds of bison, elk, prairie dogs, and birdlife. There’ll be lots of opportunities for photos and your guide will tell you about animal migration patterns and daily habits, as well as a bit about the history of the park. Next you’ll visit the Custer State Park Visitor Center to learn more about the historic game reserve, before climbing Mount Coolidge fire Lookout Tower for the sweeping panoramic views across the Black Hills.
You’ll then drive through some of the region’s top landmarks, including Needle’s Eye Tunnel and Iron Mountain Road. You’ll also stop at the beautiful Sylvan Lake for a picnic lunch while relaxing in the shade of the trees. All in all, a fantastic way to experience the natural beauty of the region while getting to know about some of the state’s best loved wildlife.
You can find out more about the full day Jeep Bison Safari tour, and book your tickets, here.
Eat at the Delmonico Grill, in Downtown Rapid City
No visit to the American West would be complete without experiencing the world-famous steakhouse culture of the region; and as one of Rapid City’s premier fine dining steakhouses the Delmonico Grill should definitely be on your itinerary! Situated in Downtown Rapid City, Delmonico Grill combines traditional Black Hills recipes with classy modern fusion cuisine, making this a standout choice for a fine dining evening in the city.
Famous for its dry-aged steaks, seasonal menu, top quality wine list, and locally sourced organic ingredients, the restaurant has a warm and sophisticated atmosphere that still feels down to earth and welcoming. Some of the signature dishes include the melt-in-your-mouth ribeye steak, the tender filet cuts, artisan soups, and the delightful bacon-wrapped shrimps. There’s also bison on the menu, as well as other local game, giving this fine dining restaurant an authentic taste of the old Wild West.
Delmonico Grill is ideal for couples seeking a romantic setting for dinner, families with children, small groups, and anyone celebrating a special occasion in Rapid City. And it’s a must-visit for any connoisseur of the steak house classics.
You can find out more about the menu at Delmonico Grill, and book your table for dinner, at the official website, here.
