| This is a
general review and guide to Devils Tower in Wyoming. Get
background, activities, travel and hotel accommodations
info.
As one travels through the vast
empty space of the west, slide by the wide-open grasslands and
stunning landscape of the State of Wyoming. Wyoming is the official
state of the horned toad (which is actually a lizard) and the state
dinosaur is the Triceratops (non-living).
If that doesn't get
your attention, then get on your horse (horsepower that is!) and head
to the northeastern part of the state and come see Devils Tower,
located roughly 9 miles from Hulett.
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The Park
The park has more than 1300 acres of forest, rocks, five miles of park
road, and four trials with a 1.3 mile loop trial around the tower that
is paved for your walking pleasure. The drive to the park is
magnificent. The rock protrudes upward as if it was king of all
rocks. The tower rises just over 1,200 feet above the lowest point in
Wyoming, the Belle Fouche River.
America's First National
Monument
On September 24, 1906, President Roosevelt announced this rock
structure the nation's first national monument. This monument is
still a sacred worship site for Native Americans and there have been
strong assumptions on how this rock was made. One hypothesis is that
is formed from a volcano which was here millions of years ago. There
is no consensus among scientists though, and the debate continues.
Indian Legends of Devils
Tower
There is a legend, which exists, about a tribe of Indians who made
their home by the river, which just happens to be bear country. The
legend goes something like this: Seven Indian girls went
for a walk when a bear started to give chase. With nowhere to run
other than a rock, they jumped upon the rock and started to pray for
it to save them from the bear. The rock heard their prayers and it
began to grow high toward the sky. The bear tried to climb the rock to
attack the girls but it proved fruitless. The bear tried again and
clawed the side of the rock. If you look closely, you can see where
the bear tried to climb. The claw marks dig deeply into the sides.
Hotels & Travel
Accommodations
There is lodging and camping outside the park so if you want to spend
a few days, miles of walking trails offer breath-taking, ever-changing
views of the Tower. Annual programs draw visitors from around the
world and help enrich the experience of visiting America's first
national monument. The Tower is literally towering above peaceful
pines and a boulder field created over millennia by columns that have
fallen and broken into pieces.
Tourist Attractions &
Activities
The park receives about 45,000 visitors annually and if you are not
interested in rock climbing then there are plenty of other things to
do. This is a bird watchers delight. Birds such as herons, geese,
falcons, eagles, kingfishers, owls, and many more birds are part of
this rock. Other activities include cross country skiing, nature
walks (take your honey up there and gaze at the stars), cats (not your
furry sociable type of felines either), bear, goats, beavers, bats,
skunks (yes, they are everywhere), and many others.
Extreme Rock Climbers
Paradise
If you think just walking around and admiring some big rock is the
only thing to do, you're wrong. This is one of the rock climbers'
pleasure and a very recreational sport. There are vigorous rules that
the park stipulates before you can start your climb, so make sure you
check first with the park. The park stresses they do not have their
own rescue teams so you are on your own if you get stuck. Remember: The only other people that may be around are other climbers. Also the
closest trauma center is about 60 miles away, so make sure you know
what you are doing before climbing this rock.
The visitor's center located at the base of the tower is at an
elevation of 4,250 feet above sea level. They offer Junior Ranger
Booklets with a program that children can complete for a Junior Ranger
Certificate. They also have Ranger Programs, a Tower Walk, Climbing
Demonstrations, and many more activities.
Still not convinced this is the right place for your vacation?
Then a trip to Prairie Town may convince you. The entrance is located
less than a 1/2 mile from the main entrance. Prairie dogs live in
complex societies and spend most of their time on the lookout for any
predators and will emit a sound like a ‘bark' when danger
approaches. Not only does the 'bark' alert one family, it is
passed from family to family until the entire colony will be
attentive.
The Singles Scene
Okay, so what if you are single and you go for a hike around the
Tower? Try your hand at mingling with other singles on the trails, in
the visitor's center, or as you climb the tower. Who knows… you may
be a damsel in distress and meet your one and only as he rescues you
from the mighty clutches of the rock. Or maybe you may rescue the
damsel and meet Ms. Right. You may just get lucky and find other
nature lovers while camping, hiking,
climbing, or just relaxing with the wildlife.
You may not recognize the name
Devils Tower, but take a look at the shape of the
Tower and think 1977. In the movie, "Close
Encounters of the Third Kind" Devils Tower is in the scene where
the mothership lands (toward the end of the movie). If you have not
seen the movie, travel back in time and as you watch, look out for
Devils Tower.
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