By Edwin Thomas
Devils Tower Holiday & Tourism Guide
Located in northeastern Wyoming, Devils Tower is one of the world's most famous and iconic geological formations. As a legitimate natural wonder, it attracts a large number of visitors every year, who come not only for the tower, but also for the surrounding landscape. While it is the tower itself that draws people to the area, there is much more for visitors to enjoy in the surrounding area.
The National Park
Devils Tower National Monument is home to a 1,300 acre park. A visitor's pass lasts for 7 days and costs $10 per vehicle. Use of the campground costs $12 per day --- there are 50 sites with basic facilities on the grounds. There are also three private, group campsites that cost $2 per person, per day, with a minimum of six and a maximum of 20 people per site. The grounds feature eight miles of trails for hiking, and are home to wildlife such as deer and prairie dogs. Those seeking to climb Devils Tower must register with the park authority before doing so.
Devils Tower National Monument
PO Box 10
Devils Tower, WY 82714
http://www.nps.gov/deto/
Tel: (307) 467-5283
Tower Facts
Devils Tower is 867 feet tall, as measured from its base. The summit is dome-shaped, and amazingly small animals have been found living there in the past. The tower is believed to have formed as the result of an ancient intrusion of magma under the surface of the Earth. This cooled into hard igneous rock, and when the softer sedimentary rock around it was eroded away, the tower was left behind. Climbing the Tower has been a popular activity ever since it was first discovered, and although it is not necessarily a dangerous climb, there have been five climbing deaths since 1937. Every June the park requests climbers to voluntarily stop their climbing efforts out of respect for local Indian traditions.
Indian Legends
The Cheyenne and Sioux have many myths regarding how Devils Tower came to be. The one thing they all have in common has to do with bears. These stories invariably feature children or men being chased by bears, and being saved when the Great Spirit lifts the tower from the ground to keep them safe.
Finding a Hotel
Devils Tower is located in Crook County, Wyoming. This is one of the most thinly populated counties in the country, with a population density of roughly two people per square mile. The largest town is Sundance, and the jail there is the origin of the moniker of the famed Sundance Kid. However, the best bet is the Best Western, located in Hulett.
Best Western Devils Tower Inn
Highway 24 and Cole Street
Hulett, WY 82720
Tel: (307) 467-5747
Neigboring Attractions
Devils Tower is in the vicinity of the Black Hills National Forest and the Thunder Basin National Grassland. Both offer excellent natural scenery and further hiking and camping opportunities.
Black Hills National Forest
1019 N. 5th Street
Custer, SD 57730
Tel: (605) 673-9200
http://www.fs.fed.us/bhnf/
About the Author:
Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.
Photo Credits:
National Park Service, Wikimedia Commons
