Devils Tower rewards a half-day: walk the Tower Trail, watch prairie dogs, then add Hulett or Keyhole Reservoir.
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In northeastern Wyoming, the Tower is the anchor, but the day works better when you pair the monument with one or two close stops. For things to do near Devils Tower, start inside Devils Tower National Monument, then add Hulett, Keyhole Reservoir, or a short Black Hills detour if you have more time.
The smartest plan is simple: arrive early, walk the base, leave room for wildlife and the visitor center, then decide whether your extra hours belong to a lake, a small museum, or a longer drive toward the Black Hills. The Tower is sacred to many Indigenous nations, so the best visit is slow, quiet, and respectful.
If you want guided climbs, Black Hills day trips, or private outings around the monument, compare what is actually running before you lock in the rest of the day:
What Should You Do First At Devils Tower?
Devils Tower National Monument should come first because parking and heat are easier before late morning. Walk the Tower Trail early, then use the visitor center, prairie dog town, and nearby pullouts as your flexible add-ons.
The Tower Trail is the classic first move. The paved loop around the base is 1.3 miles, with close views of the columns, boulder field, pine forest, and prayer cloths tied near the path. Do not touch or photograph prayer cloths; these are part of living cultural practice, not trail decoration.
The visitor center is small, but it gives useful context before or after the walk. Climbers should also know that anyone climbing or scrambling above the boulder field must register before the climb and check back in after returning.
Prairie Dog Town is the easy family stop. You can see the colony from the road, and the South Side and Valley View trails put you closer without adding a long hike. Watch from a distance and keep food packed away; prairie dogs are wild animals, not roadside pets.
Things Around Devils Tower: Trails, Wildlife, And Close Stops
The strongest mix around Devils Tower is one base walk, one quieter trail, one wildlife stop, and one nearby town or lake. That gives you the monument without turning the day into nothing but parking lots and overlooks.
The official park trails connect, so you can make the day as short or as active as you want. Tower Trail is the easiest answer for first-timers, Red Beds Trail adds a steeper 2.8-mile loop, and Joyner Ridge gives wider views from the north side when its dirt road access is in good shape.
The current private-vehicle entrance pass is $25, and the park is cashless, per the official Devils Tower fee page. A motorcycle pass is lower, a per-person foot or bicycle pass is $15 for visitors 16 and older, and an America the Beautiful pass covers entry if you already have one.
Timing tip: In summer, aim for the entrance station before 10 am or after 4 pm. Midday works, but parking near the visitor center is the pressure point.
| Experience | Free/Paid/Tour | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Tower Trail | Included with park entry | First-time visitors who want the closest base views |
| Prairie Dog Town | Included with park entry | Families, wildlife watching, and short stops |
| Red Beds Trail | Included with park entry | Hikers who want a 2.8-mile loop and fewer crowds |
| Joyner Ridge Trail | Included with park entry | Wide Tower views and a quieter 1.5-mile loop |
| Circle Of Sacred Smoke Sculpture | Included with park entry | A respectful photo stop with cultural context |
| Devils Tower Visitor Center | Included with park entry | Geology, climbing rules, and cultural background |
| Hulett, Wyoming | Free to wander; food and shops paid | A simple meal or small-town break about 10 miles away |
| Keyhole Reservoir State Park | State park fee may apply | Water, camping, and a longer outdoor afternoon |
| Vore Buffalo Jump | Paid seasonal site | Plains history between Devils Tower and the Black Hills |
Use The Trails Before You Chase Farther Stops
The trails inside the monument are better than a rushed drive to a distant attraction. A good half-day route is Tower Trail, Prairie Dog Town, the visitor center, and one overlook or short connector trail.
Red Beds Trail is the best add-on for hikers who want more than the paved base loop. The 2.8-mile route has steeper sections, views into the Belle Fourche River valley, and changing angles on the Tower. South Side Trail and Valley View Trail can make shorter loops from the amphitheater and picnic area.
Joyner Ridge Trail suits travelers who want space. The 1.5-mile loop sits along the north side of the monument, and the dirt access road means fewer visitors use it. After rain, ask at the visitor center before counting on that road.
- For kids: Tower Trail plus Prairie Dog Town is enough.
- For hikers: Add Red Beds Trail or Joyner Ridge Trail.
- For photographers: Plan one early-morning view and one sunset pullout.
- For climbers: Register before going above the boulder field.
Getting Around Near The Tower
A car makes the area work because public transportation is not the practical choice here. Most travelers reach Devils Tower by road from Rapid City, Gillette, Spearfish, Deadwood, or a Black Hills route.
Driving also lets you add Keyhole Reservoir, Hulett, or Vore Buffalo Jump without losing the day to backtracking. If you are flying in and building a wider Black Hills trip, compare car rental options before you decide where to sleep:
Do not overpack the route. Devils Tower looks close to many Black Hills sights on a map, but two-lane roads and photo stops make the day longer than the mileage suggests.
How Many Days Do You Need Near Devils Tower?
Most travelers need half a day at Devils Tower, one full day if they want a real hike and a nearby stop. An overnight stay helps if you want sunrise, sunset, stargazing, or a calmer visit in peak summer.
Half a day is enough for Tower Trail, the visitor center, Prairie Dog Town, and a meal in Hulett. A full day lets you add Red Beds Trail or Keyhole Reservoir. Two days only makes sense if Devils Tower is part of a slower Black Hills or eastern Wyoming route.
June needs extra care for climbers because the park has a voluntary climbing closure during the month to respect tribal ceremonies. Non-climbing visitors can still hike, drive, and visit the main areas, but the cultural reason for the closure matters.
Where To Stay For Easy Access
Devils Tower has limited lodging right by the monument, so the best base depends on your route. Stay close in Hulett or near the monument for sunrise and stargazing, or choose Spearfish, Deadwood, Rapid City, or Gillette if Devils Tower is one stop in a longer road trip.
Staying near the Tower saves the most time, but larger towns give you more restaurants, fuel, and backup plans if weather changes. Compare the nearby stays on a map before you choose a base:
Campers should check current campground status before arriving, especially outside the main season. RV travelers should also plan fuel stops; northeastern Wyoming has long gaps between services compared with the Black Hills towns.
A One-Day Plan That Does Not Waste The Drive
A strong one-day plan keeps Devils Tower as the center and adds only one nearby place. That gives the monument enough time to feel meaningful instead of turning it into a roadside photo.
- 8:00 am: Enter the monument and drive straight toward the visitor center parking area.
- 8:30 am: Walk Tower Trail before the largest crowds arrive.
- 10:00 am: Visit the visitor center and read the cultural and geology exhibits.
- 10:45 am: Stop at the Circle of Sacred Smoke Sculpture and Prairie Dog Town.
- Noon: Eat in Hulett or pack lunch for the picnic area.
- Afternoon: Choose Red Beds Trail for hiking, Keyhole Reservoir for water and camping scenery, or Vore Buffalo Jump for Plains history in season.
- Evening: Return for sunset if you are staying nearby, or continue toward Spearfish, Deadwood, Gillette, or Rapid City.
For one day, Tower Trail, Prairie Dog Town, Hulett, and either Red Beds Trail or Keyhole Reservoir is the cleanest plan. For a half day, cut the lake and keep the visit inside the monument.
References & Sources
- National Park Service.“Fees & Passes — Devils Tower National Monument.”Supports current entrance pass pricing and the park’s cashless payment policy.