Devils Tower Guide: Trails, Fees, June Closure and Black Hills Trips
What to see at America's first national monument in Wyoming, how the June closure works and how to pair the tower with Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills.
Devils Tower National Monument in northeast Wyoming takes 2 to 4 hours to visit: walk the paved 1.3-mile Tower Trail loop around the base, add the 2.8-mile Red Beds Trail if you have time, and stop at the prairie dog town. As of November 2026, entry is $25 per private vehicle, card only. Each June, climbers and all visitors are asked to stay off the tower and boulder field out of respect for the tribes who hold it sacred.
What is Devils Tower and why is it sacred?
Devils Tower is a column of igneous rock that rises 867 feet from its base to a summit 5,112 feet above sea level, and about 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River. President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed it the first U.S. national monument on September 24, 1906, under the newly passed Antiquities Act.
The National Park Service says more than 20 American Indian tribes consider the tower a sacred place. Many know it by names such as Bear Lodge. Ceremonies take place throughout the year and are often private. Along the Tower Trail you may see prayer cloths and bundles tied to trees; the park asks visitors not to touch, disturb or remove them, and notes that some people consider photographing them insensitive.
How much does Devils Tower cost?
Devils Tower charges a standard entrance fee and accepts America the Beautiful passes. The park is cashless, so bring a credit or debit card. Fees below are from the NPS Devils Tower fees page as of November 2026.
| Pass | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $25 | Covers driver and passengers |
| Motorcycle | $20 | Valid 7 days |
| Per person (on foot or bike) | $15 | Ages 15 and under free |
| Devils Tower annual pass | $45 | For U.S. citizens and residents |
| America the Beautiful | Free to $250 | $80 resident annual, $250 nonresident annual, $20 senior annual |
If you are also visiting Badlands, Wind Cave or other fee parks on the same trip, see whether the America the Beautiful pass is worth it for your route.
Which trails should you hike at Devils Tower?
The Tower Trail is the one almost everyone walks: a paved 1.3-mile loop around the base, 1.8 miles round trip from the visitor center, with views of the columns and the boulder field. The NPS recommends hiking before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m. because the trail is often crowded at midday.
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tower Trail | 1.3-mile loop (1.8 miles from visitor center) | Easy; paved, some moderate grades | Closest views of the tower; accessible path to the loop junction |
| Red Beds Trail | 2.8-mile loop | Moderate; steep in parts | Red sandstone cliffs, river valley, quieter views |
| Joyner Ridge Trail | 1.5-mile loop | Moderate; climbs on the east side | Open ridge with views of the tower’s north side |
| Valley View Trail | 0.6 mile | Easy | Prairie dog town near the Belle Fourche River |
| South Side Trail | 0.6 mile | Easy, then moderate to steep | Prairie dog town, connects to Red Beds |
Pets are not allowed on any park trail. Carry water, especially on Red Beds, which has little shade.
What is the June climbing closure?
The voluntary June climbing closure asks climbers not to climb the tower during June, the month many tribes hold important ceremonies. It comes from the 1995 Climbing Management Plan and has been observed each June since 1996. According to the NPS, the closure covers all visitors above the Tower loop trail, which includes scrambling in the boulder field, not only roped climbing.
The closure is voluntary by design, so visitors can learn about Northern Plains cultures and choose to show respect. The NPS suggests that climbers use other routes in northeast Wyoming and the Black Hills in June. Details are on the current climbing closures page.
Separate, mandatory closures protect nesting prairie and peregrine falcons in spring and summer. Affected routes are posted at the climber registration kiosk, and all climbers must register in person. The whole monument is a no-fly zone for drones.
What should you know about parking, fire and seasons?
Parking near the visitor center is limited, and the NPS says lots are often full between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. from May through September. Arrive early or late, especially on summer and holiday weekends.
Wildfire can change plans. On August 1, 2026, a fire about a mile from the tower led the park to evacuate visitors. The monument reopened on August 3 with limited access, while trails and backcountry areas stayed closed for a time. Check the park’s current conditions before you hike, because burned areas can remain closed.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Late May–June | Green prairie, wildflowers, voluntary climbing closure in June |
| July–August | Busiest months, hot afternoons, thunderstorms and hail; Sturgis Motorcycle Rally traffic in early August |
| September–October | Cooler days, smaller crowds, fall color along the river |
| November–April | Cold and windy; snow can close roads and some facilities |
How do you combine Devils Tower with the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore?
Devils Tower is about 130 miles from Mount Rushmore, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours by the fastest route on I-90 through Spearfish, Sturgis and Rapid City. Scenic routes on US-85 and US-385 or through Spearfish Canyon take longer. Many travelers base in Spearfish, Rapid City, Keystone or Custer and visit Devils Tower as a long day trip.
- Day 1: Devils Tower in the morning, then drive to Spearfish (about 1 hour) and Spearfish Canyon in the afternoon. Overnight in Spearfish or Deadwood.
- Day 2: Mount Rushmore in the morning light, then Custer State Park’s Wildlife Loop and Needles Highway. Overnight in Custer or Keystone.
- Day 3: Wind Cave or Jewel Cave tours, or Badlands National Park on the way east.
Mount Rushmore has no entrance fee, but parking is a separate fee that federal passes do not cover. Cave tour schedules at Wind Cave and Jewel Cave change by season, so check each park’s page before you go; our guide to the best caves to visit explains tour types. Needles Highway closes in winter, and lodging prices jump during the Sturgis rally in August.
Where can you stay near Devils Tower?
The closest beds are in small towns: Hulett is just north of the monument, and Sundance and Moorcroft are on I-90 to the south. The NPS-run Belle Fourche River Campground inside the monument is seasonal; camping outside the campground is not permitted. Gillette and Spearfish have the widest choice of hotels within about an hour. For a bigger western loop, Devils Tower also fits a drive toward our Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary, about 6 to 7 hours west. Nonresidents aged 16 and over pay an extra $100 per person at Yellowstone and Grand Teton since January 1, 2026, unless they hold the $250 nonresident annual pass.
Bottom line
Give Devils Tower half a day: the Tower Trail before 10 a.m., the Red Beds loop if you want quiet, and the prairie dog town on the way out. Bring a card for the $25 vehicle fee, check current conditions for fire or weather closures, and respect the June closure by staying on the trail. Then continue to Spearfish and the Black Hills for Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park.
FAQ
Can you climb Devils Tower?
Yes, experienced technical climbers can climb the tower after registering in person. The park asks climbers not to climb in June, and some routes close in spring and summer to protect nesting falcons.
How long is the walk around Devils Tower?
The paved Tower Trail loop is 1.3 miles, or 1.8 miles round trip from the visitor center. Most people take 45 minutes to an hour with photo stops.
How far is Devils Tower from Mount Rushmore?
About 130 miles, or 2 to 2.5 hours on I-90 via Spearfish and Rapid City. Scenic routes through the Black Hills take longer.
Is Devils Tower open in winter?
The monument is open year-round, but winter storms can close roads, and facility hours are shorter. Check the park’s alerts and current conditions before you drive.
