National Park Service · Wyoming
America's first national monument: a 867-foot volcanic tower above the Belle Fourche River, ringed by a walkable base trail and world-class crack climbing.
Field briefing
Devils Tower National Monument changes fast with season and elevation.
Before you go
The entrance fee is $25 per vehicle for 7 days. There are no reservations to book inside the monument, so the planning move is timing your visit and deciding whether to grab a first-come site at Belle Fourche River Campground. Many Native American tribes hold the tower sacred, and a voluntary climbing closure each June reflects that.
The landmarks worth the trip. Tap any photo to enlarge.
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Cool and variable, with green prairie, wind, and possible late snow.
Pack Wind layer, warm midlayer, and footwear for muddy trail sections.
Warm to hot days with afternoon thunderstorms and long daylight.
Pack Sun protection, water, and an early arrival to beat midday parking congestion.
Crisp, clear, and quieter, with strong light on the tower.
Pack Warm layer, headlamp for shorter days, and a camera for low-angle light.
Cold and quiet, with snow and ice possible on trails and the access road.
Pack Insulation, traction, and a plan for limited winter services.
Tower Trail
The signature paved loop that circles the base of the tower through pine forest and boulder fields, with constant views straight up the columns.
Red Beds and South Side Trail
A longer loop through red sandstone, prairie, and river-bottom country for a wider perspective and far fewer people.
Watch the climbers
Devils Tower is a premier crack-climbing destination. A voluntary June closure honors the cultural significance to many Native American tribes.
Put the timed or highest-demand stop first, then keep the rest of the day close and low-friction. For one day in Devils Tower National Monument, time Tower Trail first, then keep Red Beds and South Side Trail and Watch the climbers close enough that the visit still feels relaxed.
Turn Devils Tower's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Devils Tower National Monument. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Devils Tower National Monument packing list
0 of 23 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
Checklist mode
23 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
The buying guides that match what Devils Tower asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
The only camping inside the monument is Belle Fourche River Campground, a first-come, first-served campground near the entrance. Outside the gate, the small town of Devils Tower and the nearby KOA have lodging, food, and RV sites, and Hulett and Sundance offer more services. For a longer trip, most travelers base in the Black Hills near Spearfish, Sturgis, or Rapid City and visit on a day trip.
Camping reservations
Devils Tower has one campground inside the monument, and it does not take reservations. The planning reality is timing: roll in early on summer afternoons, or have a backup outside the gate.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
No reservations. Belle Fourche River Campground sites are first come, first served and typically open mid-May through mid-October.
Where to book or verify
Official NPS page with season, fees, loop layout, and amenities.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Plan the handoff from arrival to shuttle.
Parking, pedestrian entrances, and shuttle timing decide how calmly the first morning starts.
Getting there
Arrival note
Devils Tower sits in northeast Wyoming, off US 14 near the South Dakota border.
Car strategy
Most visitors drive from the Black Hills, about two hours from Rapid City, and pair it with Spearfish Canyon or the Sturgis area.
Shuttle access
The access road climbs from the entrance station to the visitor center and tower parking, which is where summer congestion concentrates.
Pair this with lodging: sleep where the park transfer is simple, especially if your route needs an early start.
The entrance fee is $25 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days. Motorcycles are $20 and individuals on foot or bike are $15. The park is cashless and accepts credit or debit only.
No. Belle Fourche River Campground inside the monument is first come, first served with no reservations. It is open roughly mid-May through mid-October, so arrive early on summer afternoons or use a private campground outside the gate.
No. The paved 1.3-mile Tower Trail circles the base and is the signature walk for most visitors. Watching climbers on the columns is part of the experience, and a voluntary June climbing closure respects the site's cultural significance to many Native American tribes.