Remember the movie, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind?" With Richard Dreyfuss? Do you remember the shape that all of the characters are obsessed with? That shape exists and it is called Devil's Tower. It is the United State's first National Monument (and the best national monument if you ask me).
Devil's Tower is located in Northeastern Wyoming, close to the border of South Dakota. If you find yourself near this wondrous place, go!
You access the park via 1-90 traveling West. It is a beautiful and scenic drive to the park. On our way into the park, we saw deer, a bald eagle and wild turkeys. No need to be concerned about being in the right place. Devil's Tower looms ahead, rising high on the mostly flat landscape.
If you are traveling to Devil's Tower during the summer (peak tourist season) I would recommend arriving as early in the day as possible. It gets crowded quickly. Otherwise, the park is low-key. We got there at 9:30 AM, hopped out for a quick bathroom break and picked up our "Junior Ranger Activity Guide Booklet."
If you have a child between 3 and 9, request one of these at the ranger station within the Visitor Center. These are a best kept secret, a parent's best friend! They give kids little activities to do while walking around the tower. At the end of your trip, you discuss what you saw with a ranger and if you did a good job, you become a junior ranger. Our kids were even sworn in under oath :)
There are multiple trails around Devil's Tower. We take the 1.3 mile trail. It is paved, can accommodate strollers and wheel chairs and gives you great views. Even though it is only 1.3 miles, it still takes roughly 45-60 minutes to go around the Tower. This is a moderate walk with steep terrain. You will walk the entire base of the tower, see animals and if you are lucky, even climbers scaling the tower.
Plan for two hours for your trip to Devil's Tower if you are doing the 1.3 mile trail. I went to Devil's Tower many times as a child and have gone as an adult and I can attest-it is special every time. There is something about it that inspires wonder in the hearts of travelers.
