| Devils Tower National Monument ((in)Devils Tower National Monument ) | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Country |  United States |
|---|---|
| Region | Wyoming |
| IUCN Category | III (Natural monument) |
| Maximum altitude | 1 558 m (Devil Tower) |
| Area | 5,45 km² |
| Location | |
 44 ° 35 ′ 26 ″ N 104 ° 42 ′ 54 ″ W | |
| Official site | |
the Devils Tower National Monument is a natural area located in the northeast of the state of Wyoming in the USA.
Understand
The Devils Tower, in French "Tour du Diable", is a remarkable monolith. About 50 million years ago, molten magma forced its way into the sedimentary rocks at this location. It then cooled and contracted to form columns. Over the millions of years that followed, erosion caused the sedimentary rocks to disappear, gradually revealing the monolith as we can see it today. Devils Tower National Monument now stands amid plains and forests. Its base has an area of more than 6000 m2 and its height reached 386 m to rise to an altitude of 1 558 m. The site can be seen in Steven Spielberg's film Encounter of the 3rd type.
Information
- 1 Information center (Visitor Center)
9 h - 16 h. – Next to the parking lot of the national monument is the information center which provides detailed information on the genesis of this special monolith, the flora and fauna living in the protected area and advice on how to visit it. The rangers are available to provide all the necessary explanations.
To go
Entrance fee
As with any site managed by the National Park Service, an access fee is charged at the entrance. He wakes up at 10 $ per vehicle and is valid for a period of 7 consecutive days. The annual access card to all National Parks (America the Beautiful) is also accepted, and sold, within the Park, at the price of 80 $ per vehicle.
By car
The Devils Tower National Monument is located in a sparsely populated area. It is therefore only possible to get there by car.
- 1 Entrance – The entrance to the monument is along the US-24 road.
- Coming from the east – There are two possibilities to reach the national monument. The quickest way is to take exit 185 from I-90, past the town of Sundance, then successively take the US-14 then US-24 roads. It is also possible to take exit 199 from the I-90 motorway, at the information center. Wyoming Welcome Center, then take the US-86 road to Aladdin and the US-24 route. This last possibility adds 05 min of journey but the road is more scenic.
- Coming from the west – From the I-90 freeway, take exit 153 at the city of Moorcroft, then successively take the US-14 and US-24 roads.
Circulate
The discovery of the national monument is done on foot. Route 110 leads from the entrance to the monument to a parking area near the information center.
To see
- 1 Prairie dog town – This meadow located at the edge of the road leading to the monument is the ideal place to observe prairie dogs (animals resembling marmots). It is possible to approach them and hear their specific whistling.
- 2 Devils tower – The Devil's Tower is the name given to this impressive monolith located in the middle of the plain. It is possible to see it from all angles while walking on the paths arranged all around.
- 3 Circle of Sacred Smoke Sculpture – On the occasion of an international peace project, the Japanese artist Junkyu Muto produced three sculptures in 2008, including this one, the others being located in the Vatican and to Bodh gaya, in India, places of spiritual importance. Indeed, Devils Tower National Monument is considered a sacred place by 20 tribes. This sculpture was made from stones from the Italian quarry from which the marbles made by Michelangelo were extracted.
Do
Walk and short hike
- 1 Tower Trail –
This fully paved path with a length of 2 km goes around the monolith as closely as possible. - 2 Red Beds Trail – This trail with a length of 4,5 km goes around the monolith passing through different types of natural environments: after the ponderosa pine forest, the wild meadow is revealed before passing through red rocks which constitute the oldest geological formation present within the park. These rocks offer a panorama of the river Beautiful Fork. It is also possible to see blue thrushes, deer and wild turkeys along the route.
- 3 Valley View Trail – This trail with a length of 1 km passes through the natural habitat of prairie dogs, then along the river Beautiful Fork offering exceptional views of Devils Tower from the valley.
- 4 South Side Trail – This trail with a length of 1 km passes through the natural habitat of prairie dogs and offers beautiful views of Devils Tower.
- 5 Joyner Ridge Trail – This trail with a length of 2,4 km runs along the north ridge of Devils Tower.
This fully paved path with a length of Escalation
It is possible to climb the monolith from April to October. Many routes are listed, with varying levels of difficulty. It is essential to register before and after the climbing activity, in order to guarantee the safety of all practitioners and to maintain a historical database started in 1937. Note that there is no service emergency services within the park and that the nearest hospital is located 100 km of the park.
To buy
- 1 Information center (Visitor Center) 9 h - 16 h. – The information center bookstore allows you to buy books on the fauna, flora and geology of the park as well as postcards.
- 2 Devils Tower KOA - Cowboy General Store 60 Hwy 110, PO Box 100, Devils Tower, WY 82714,
1 307-467-5395, 1 800-562-5785 (free number) – This mini market offers everyday products and souvenirs. - 3 Devils Tower Trading Post 57 Highway 110, P.O. Box 115, Devils Tower, Wyoming 82714, 1 307-467-5295 – This grocery store offers essential products for travel and picnics.
- 4 Devils Tower View Campground and Restaurant 476 Highway 24, Devils Tower, WY 82714, 1 307-467-5737 – This souvenir shop offers products from Wyoming as well as local artwork.
Eat
Picnic area
- 1 Picnic area – This area is equipped with tables, barbecues, water points and toilets.
Restaurants
- 2 Devils Tower KOA - Cattle Kate's Cafe & Sweet Shoppe 60 Hwy 110, PO Box 100, Devils Tower, WY 82714, 1 307-467-5395, 1 800-562-5785 (free number) – This café offers bison meat burgers, homemade ice cream and caramels.
- 3 Devils Tower Trading Post 57 Highway 110, P.O. Box 115, Devils Tower, Wyoming 82714, 1 307-467-5295 – Open from April 1 to October 31, this restaurant offers burgers, hot dogs, ice cream and other fast food options.
- 4 Devils Tower View Restaurant 476 Highway 24, Devils Tower, WY 82714, 1 307-467-5737 – This restaurant offers bison burgers, cakes and ice cream, as well as non-stop snacks.
Have a drink / Go out
There is no restaurant or bar within the grounds of the park, it is however possible to go to one of the restaurants in the immediate vicinity for a drink, or in the neighboring towns of Hulett (To 20 km), Sundance (To 48 km) Where Moorcroft (To 56 km).
Housing
Camping
- 1 Belle Fourche campsite (Belle Fourche Campground)
12 $ (individual location), 2 $ per person (pitches for groups). – This campsite offers 50 pitches which are allocated in order of arrival of customers. These pitches can accommodate tents and motorhomes not exceeding 10 m long. - 2 Devils Tower KOA 60 Hwy 110, PO Box 100, Devils Tower, WY 82714, 1 307-467-5395, 1 800-562-5785 (free number)to be released before 11 a.m.. –
This fully-equipped campsite, open from May 15 to October 15, offers pitches for tents on 16 Ha, pitches for motor homes and cabins. - 3 Devils Tower View Campground 476 Highway 24, Devils Tower, WY 82714, 1 307-467-5737 – This campsite, open all year round, located near the park, offers pitches for tents, with water and electricity.
This fully-equipped campsite, open from May 15 to October 15, offers pitches for tents on Guestroom
- 4 Devils Tower Lodge Bed and Breakfast 34 State Route 110, Devils Tower, WY 82714, 1 307-467-5267 – Open all year round, this place offers 4 rooms with breakfast included.
Around
- 1 Custer State Park – A park rich in fauna, flora and particular rock formations.
- 2 Mount Rushmore National Memorial – The portraits of four American presidents carved from the mountain.
- 3 Wind Cave National Park – Caves forming one of the most extensive network of galleries in the world.
- 4 Badlands National Park – A fault in the middle of an expanse of meadows with impressive rock formations.
- 5 Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area – The meanders of the river in this canyon allow to have spectacular points of view.
