Devils Tower National Monument (Mato Tipila)

Distance from Rapid City: 1 hour, 40 minutes (107 miles)

Just across the South Dakota border in Wyoming, one of the most awe-inspiring geological wonders in the American West rises dramatically above the surrounding prairie. Devils Tower National Monument towers 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River, its massive stone columns reaching skyward from the rolling forests and grasslands surrounding the Black Hills. Visible for miles in every direction, the monument feels almost otherworldly, an isolated monolith standing in quiet contrast to the landscape around it.

Long before it became America’s first national monument, the formation was known by many Indigenous tribes as Mato Tipila, or “Bear Lodge.” For generations, this sacred site has carried deep spiritual and cultural significance for the Lakota, Cheyenne, and numerous Northern Plains tribes. Stories, ceremonies, and oral traditions connected to the tower continue to shape its meaning today.

The name “Devils Tower” traces back to an 1875 expedition led by Col. Richard Irving Dodge, when a translation misunderstanding transformed the original meaning into “bad gods tower,” a phrase that was later shortened into the name used today. Though the translation was incorrect, the name remained, and in 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt designated the site as the first national monument in the United States, cementing its place in American history.

The journey to Devils Tower is part of the experience itself. About an hour and 40 minutes northwest of Rapid City along US Highway 14 and Wyoming Highway 24, the drive winds through scenic Black Hills landscapes, open prairie, and towering pine forests before the monument suddenly appears on the horizon. Whether you’re hiking the trails around its base, photographing the tower beneath a glowing sunset, or simply taking in its immense scale for the first time, Devils Tower is the kind of place that leaves you feeling wonderfully small beneath the vast western sky.

Entrance Fees

1-7 Day Pass:

$25.00 for a single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers.
$20.00 for a single motorcycle and operator/passenger.
$15.00 for one individual when entering on foot or bicycle. Individuals 15 years of age or younger are admitted free. This may also be used to calculate cost for organized non-profit groups (service organizations, scout groups, religious groups, etc.).

Commercial Tours:

These entrance fees are based upon the seating capacity of the commercial tour vehicle - not the actual number of passengers.

$25.00 seating capacity 1-6 people - plus $15/person, not to exceed $40.
$40.00 seating capacity 7-25 people.
$100.00 seating capacity 26 or more people.

Things To Do At Devils Tower

A visit to Devils Tower National Monument promises a variety of activities and adventures for you to enjoy. From camping to climbing to stargazing, the natural wonder of Devils Tower offers a wealth of exciting discovery.

Visitor Center

The Visitor Center is open year-round, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Visitors can browse exhibits about the geological, natural and cultural history of the monument. For more information, call 605-718-8484 or visit the Devils Tower page on the National Parks Service website.

Ranger Programs

A full schedule of interpretive activities and ranger-led programs is offered Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, with some programs continuing into September. Programs can include a tower walk, natural and cultural talks, a Junior Ranger Program and evening programs held under the stars. A full listing of programs is available in the Visitor Center.

Rock Climbing

Vertical faces of igneous rock with hundreds of parallel cracks make Devils Tower one of the most appealing places for traditional crack climbing in North America. Technical rock climbing is permitted, but all climbers must register at the Visitor Center before climbing, and then check-in afterwards upon departure. Because the site is considered sacred by Native American tribes, there is a voluntary climbing closure during the month of June.

Hiking Trails

There are approximately eight miles of hiking trails at Devils Tower that take you around the monument. Some of the popular paths are paved and accessible, while others take you through forests and prairie meadows.

Wildlife Viewing

Devils Tower National Monument and the surrounding area are home to a diverse range of plants and animals, making it a popular destination for wildlife viewing. You may spot bison, mule and white deer, porcupines, prairie dogs, bats, turkey and rattlesnakes among the Ponderosa Pine forests and cottonwood-dotted fields of the monument, or prairie falcons nesting in the cracks of Devils Tower.

Learn More About Devils Tower

Visiting Devils Tower promises natural wonder and Native American cultural discovery. A place of great spiritual significance, Devils Tower is considered sacred to over two-dozen Native American tribes. Traditional and modern cultural and spiritual ceremonial activities continue here, including prayer offerings, vision quests and the Sun Dance. There are many stories among Native American tribes surrounding the formation and spiritual significance of Devils Tower. One particular American Indian legend holds that Devils Tower sprang up from the earth just in time to save a group of warriors from a gigantic bear; the fluted nature of the tower formed as the bear pawed at the rock. You can read more about the culture and legends surrounding Devils Tower here.

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