A Complete Guide to Devils Tower with Kids
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Devil’s tower was an incredible site to see!
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If you’re looking for what to do at Devil’s Tower with kids, you’re in the right place. Devil’s Tower was named as the first National Monument in the United States by President Theodore Roosevelt in September 1906. This unique landscape features a natural rock tower and is the remnant of a volcanic intrusion now exposed by erosion.
Every visitor to Devils Tower National Monument should make a stop at the park’s visitor center to get a park map, find up-to-date weather forecasts and possible park closures. Park Rangers are also a wonderful resource for learning a deeper history of the monument. There is only one visitor center in the park; it is open 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Don’t forget to check out the Devils Tower Natural History Association bookstore and souvenir shop! Be sure to pack the right road trip snacks for your adventures in the Black Hills.
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Best Time of Year to Visit Devils Tower
What is the best time of year to visit Devils Tower? Arguably the best time to visit Devils Tower is sometime between September and October when the crowds thin out, the temperatures cool and it’s much less likely to rain. An alternative is sometime between April and May before the throngs of people pour in for the summer and before the heat has settled in.
Summertime, June through August, is the most crowded. The bulk of the 468,000 annual visitors visit during these months.
If you must visit in the Summer months, don’t worry! Plan your visit for first thing in the morning to ensure a thinner crowd. Devils Tower is open 24 hours a day, so come to watch the sunrise above the Wyoming Plains or to stargaze after dark.
No matter what season you visit, make sure you bring an umbrella or poncho because the weather changes quickly!
Graph Courtesy of: https://www.weather-us.com/en/wyoming-usa/devils-tower-climate#temperature
How to get to Devils Tower National Monument
Devils Tower National Monument is fairly convenient to get to. To give you an idea of how long it will take to get to the park, here are a few examples.
We drove through custer state park to get to mt rushmore and were stuck in bison traffic!
How long does it take to get from Rapid City to Devils Tower? 1 Hour, 37 Minutes
Casper to Mt Rushmore is 45 minutes
Badlands National Park to Devils Tower is 2 hours and 30 minutes
Yellowstone to Devils Tower is 7 hours, 22 minutes
Teddy Roosevelt National Park to Devils Tower is 3 hours, 35 minutes.
Cheyenne to Devils Tower is 4 hours, 45 minutes.
The closest city to Devils Tower is Rapid City. It is a very easy drive and doable as a day trip.
READ NEXT: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Mount Rushmore with Kids
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How much does it cost to visit Devils Tower?
For a single vehicle with 1-7 passengers, it costs $25
For a motorcycle, it costs $20
For a single person walking or biking in, it costs $15
National Park Annual Pass Members get in free.
Be sure to get there early! The line gets long at the front gate
Where to Stay When Visiting Devils Tower National Monument
Can you Camp at Devils Tower?
Yes! There is a campground at Devils Tower National Monument!
Belle-Fourche River Campground: This campground offers 46-sites with 3 tent-only group sites. There are restrooms and water spigots available. While there are 43 pull-through 35’ RV Sites, there are no hookups.
READ NEXT: How to ENJOY Tent Camping with Toddlers
Where to Stay Outside of Devils Tower:
Camping:
Devils Tower KOA: Devils Tower National Monument, named a "top 10 ecotourism destination," is America's first national monument. This KOA campground lies in the shadow of Devils Tower. Enjoy the nightly hayride through the historic Campstool Ranch, one of the oldest ranches in Wyoming. The movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind was filmed on-site in 1976, and it is shown nightly at the campground. This KOA offers a full-service restaurant, an extensive gift shop and a Sweet Shoppe that features legendary fudge and hand-dipped ice cream.
Hotels:
Devils Tower Lodge: Nestled on 21 private acres of precious prairie and ponderosa pine, Devils Tower Lodge is a one of a kind, rustic experience. Spacious, unique rooms with private baths, a hot tub with a view and a 25 foot dining room table overlooking at the base of Devils Tower make up this incredible place.
We stayed at the Ellsworth Air Force Base Fam Camp outside of Rapid City and made a day trip to Devils Tower
The classic National Park sign! I loved that the tower fit perfectly in the shot behind it!
What to do at Devils Tower
1) Hiking:
I was able to push my son on Tower trail in his stroller!
Tower Trail: This is the most popular trail at Devils Tower. This 1.3 mile trail circles around the base of the Tower. This trail is paved the entire way and is stroller friendly with mild elevation changes. Hikers are rewarded with up close views of the tower, sweeping views of the surrounding plains and up close encounters with the boulder field.
Valley View Trail: This easy .6 mile trail has little to no elevation change and is a perfect trail for stretching your legs or walking with a family. Hikers get up close to a prairie dog town and will walk along the Belle Fourche River.
South Side Trail: This .6 mile trail is very similar to the Valley View Trail. I recommend this trail for families with young children or for someone who wants to stretch their legs. Hikers will walk through a prairie dog town.
Red Beds Trail: This 2.8 mile trail is a more traditional trail where hikers will be rewarded with fantastic views of the Tower and the Belle Fourche River. This trail does have moderate elevation change and would be better suited for elementary age children or older.
Joyner Ridge Trail: This 1.6 mile trail rewards hikers with incredible views of the tower and the Belle Fourche River. This trail does have an area of significant elevation change.
2) Join a Ranger Program
We hiked with both kids around the base of the tower and even climbed the boulders!
There are several FREE Ranger Programs offered at Devils Tower. You do not need a reservation for any of them. All of them are weather dependent, so check the status at the Visitor Center!
3) Devils Tower Junior Ranger Program
The Junior Ranger program at Devils Tower is designed for children age 5 -12. Junior Ranger books and badges are available at the visitor center, free of charge. Once your Junior Ranger finishes their tasks, head back to be sworn in by a Park Ranger and to receive their badge!
There are many view points to look out into the prairies around the tower
READ NEXT: What to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota)
4) Climb Devils Tower
While climbing Devils Tower is definitely not for young children, this is a very popular activity. Somewhere between 4,000-6,000 people climb the Tower every single year. However, there are many rules and regulations for making the climb, so be sure you know ALL of them.
The tower is incredible from any view
We climbed up onto the boulder field and thew views were amazing
5) Stargazing:
The saying “Half the Park is After Dark” rings true! Stargazing at Devils Tower is phenomenal. While the weather is what determines what viewers will see, when the skies are clear visitors can see an enormous night sky. For as long as we have known about Devils Tower there have been oral histories told that incorporate tribal star knowledge. Astronomers and night sky photographers seek out the darkness.
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History of Devils Tower
The history of Devils Tower is very interesting and complex.
The Formation: The tower is believed to have been formed about 50 million years ago when molten rock, moving upward, encountered a hard rock layer that it couldn’t get past. This blockage caused the flat top. The tower’s flat top is 1.5 acres and the sides are fluted. The tower itself is 867 feet tall and the highest elevation is 5,112 above sea level.
The Name: Why is it called Devils Tower? Back in 1875 on a scientific exploration, an Army Colonel dubbed the tower “Devils Tower” after learning the Native Americans called the tower “Bad Gods Tower.” Other names for the tower include the Lakota term Mato Tipilia which means “Bear Lodge,” Tree Rock, Home of the Bear, Great Grey Horn and Bear’s Tipi.
Native American Stories: There are many oral histories about Devils Tower that have been told by several American Indian Tribes. These stories have been passed down generation after generation and hold a sacred spot in each Tribe. Each tribe has their own version of how the tower was formed. Each is just as interesting, colorful and exciting as the last. Read the stories from the Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Crow, Kiowa and Lakota HERE.
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Devils Tower is the perfect destination for families. As America’s very first National Monument and deep ties to Native American heritage, Devils Tower is a must see for anyone visiting or living in the United States. No matter whether you camp out, stay nearby, Devils Tower will be an unforgettable family adventure. While you’re exploring Wyoming and the Dakotas, pop up to North Dakota to explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park or take e a weekend Road Trip through North Dakota!
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