Devils Tower
In northeastern Wyoming, a rock column rises 867 feet from the surrounding prairie like nothing else on Earth. Devils Tower is the eroded remnant of an ancient volcanic intrusion - magma that cooled underground and was exposed as softer rock eroded away. Its distinctive fluted columns, formed by cooling and contraction of the igneous rock, create a surface that has attracted climbers since 1893. The tower is sacred to the Lakota, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, Kiowa, and other tribes, who call it by names meaning Bear Lodge, Bear's House, and Bear's Lair. Steven Spielberg made it globally famous in 1977's 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind,' where aliens chose the tower as their landing site. Devils Tower was America's first national monument, designated by Theodore Roosevelt in 1906.
The Formation
Devils Tower formed approximately 50 million years ago when magma intruded into sedimentary rock. As the magma cooled, it contracted and cracked into hexagonal columns - like mud cracking as it dries, but in three dimensions. The columns range from a few inches to several feet across. The surrounding sedimentary rock eroded faster than the hard igneous core, exposing the tower we see today. Geologists debate whether the magma reached the surface (making it a volcanic neck) or cooled underground (making it a stock or laccolith). Either way, erosion did the sculpting - the tower isn't rising, the ground around it has fallen away.
The Sacred Site
Devils Tower is sacred to multiple Plains tribes. The Lakota call it Mato Tipila - 'Bear Lodge.' Legend tells of girls fleeing a giant bear; as they prayed for help, the rock rose beneath them, and the bear's claws scored the columns as it tried to climb. Similar bear legends exist among other tribes. The tower remains a site for ceremonies, vision quests, and prayer. A voluntary climbing closure during June honors these traditions; most climbers respect the request. The name 'Devils Tower' likely resulted from a translation error in 1875 - there's nothing devilish about Indigenous traditions. Efforts to officially rename the monument continue.
The Climbing
Devils Tower is a world-class climbing destination. The first recorded ascent came in 1893, when local rancher William Rogers and partner Willard Ripley drove wooden stakes into a crack and climbed them like a ladder. That stake ladder remained visible for decades. Modern climbing began in the 1930s with Fritz Wiessner's free ascent. Today, the tower offers hundreds of routes rated from moderate to extreme. The columnar structure creates crack systems and chimneys ideal for traditional climbing. Approximately 4,000 climbers attempt the summit annually; about 1% of monument visitors. Registration is required. The voluntary June closure reduces climbing activity but doesn't eliminate it.
The Movie
'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' (1977) transformed Devils Tower from a regional landmark into a global icon. Steven Spielberg chose the tower for its otherworldly appearance - it looks alien already. In the film, characters experience visions compelling them to the tower, where aliens make contact. Spielberg shot at the actual monument; scenes of Richard Dreyfuss sculpting the tower in mashed potatoes became iconic. Tourism increased dramatically after the film. The Devils Tower Visitor Center acknowledges the movie's impact, though staff reportedly tire of Close Encounters references. The tower's strange beauty is real; Spielberg just amplified it.
Visiting Devils Tower
Devils Tower National Monument is located in northeastern Wyoming, accessible via Highway 24 from Interstate 90 (Sundance exit). The monument charges entrance fees (National Parks pass accepted). The Tower Trail circles the base (1.3 miles) and offers dramatic views. The visitor center provides geological and cultural information. Climbing requires registration but no permit; climbers should check current regulations. The prairie dog town near the entrance is popular with families. Camping is available in the monument. Sundance (28 miles) and Hulett (9 miles) have lodging. Rapid City, South Dakota, is 110 miles east (nearest commercial airport). The tower is best photographed at sunrise or sunset; summer crowds peak midday.
From the Air
Located at 44.59°N, 104.71°W in northeastern Wyoming. From altitude, Devils Tower is unmistakable - a flat-topped column rising abruptly from the Belle Fourche River valley, surrounded by ponderosa pine forest and grassland. The tower's shadow is dramatic at low sun angles. The Black Hills are visible to the east in South Dakota. The Bear Lodge Mountains surround the tower. Gillette, Wyoming, is 60 miles west. Rapid City, South Dakota, is 110 miles east. The isolation is apparent - this is empty country, and the tower dominates an enormous viewshed.