The Story Behind Devils Tower in Wyoming Is Incredibly Unique

Devils Tower in Wyoming is truly a one-of-a-kind natural phenomenon with a unique story. Its stark, towering presence, formation, and character are incredibly intriguing and mysterious. Even just the name sets the imagination wandering: What is Devils Tower? What do I need to know about Devils Tower history? It's hard not to feel a bit of a chill down your spine when you see something so imposing. Check out the history of this amazing natural landmark below.

Devils Tower in Wyoming is a huge mass of rock that's nestled among the Black Hills, not far from the town of Sundance. This amazing feature is 867 feet tall and looks above the Belle Fourche River, grasslands, and surrounding Ponderosa pine forests. In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt named this the country's first national monument.

The Devils Tower's history baffled both Native Americans and early settlers to the area. According to Native American legend, little girls were playing in the forest when they were chased by giant bears. The girls ran and jumped on a boulder and began praying for safety. The rock started growing up towards the sky, adding distance between the girls and the bears. It's said that the cracks and columns you can see on the Devils Tower surface came from the bears' claws as they frantically tried to climb the rock to reach their prey.

It's easy to see why Devils Tower is a popular destination for rock climbers! Some of the columns here have cracks that are more than 400 feet long. Even today, many Native Americans consider Devils Tower a sacred site worthy of protection.

In order to respect the tribes' cultural traditions and rituals that are performed at the tower, climbers are asked not to climb Devils Tower during the month of June. That's when the sun dances, vision quests, and prayer offerings that are part of Devils Tower history take place.

On the other hand, geologists determined that Devils Tower in Wyoming was formed as the result of an ancient volcano. The delineated columns were created by magma as it cooled. The tower looks unique due to its size and the type of rock, phonolite porphyry. The columns that make up Devils Tower are some of the tallest and widest known in these types of formations.

Devils Tower has even been seen in movies! In 1977, it was used as a filming location for the science fiction classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind. To truly appreciate Devils Tower in Wyoming, you'll need to see it for yourself. This is one spot we definitely recommend checking out in person!

Upon arrival, guests can start their visit at the Devils Tower Visitor Center, which offers insightful exhibits about the geological, cultural, and historical significance of the site. The gift shop offers a variety of collectables and souvenirs, including books, apparel, and locally crafted items.

The large parking lot is located close to the visitor center and trailheads. If Devils Tower is part of a broader road trip, its location is ideal for exploring other major landmarks. It is about 130 miles from the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial and roughly 470 miles from the Mammoth entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Feeling inspired? Try planning your own Wyoming trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.