When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Cool and variable, with green prairie, wind, and possible late snow.
Pack Wind layer, warm midlayer, and footwear for muddy trail sections.
Summer
Warm to hot days with afternoon thunderstorms and long daylight.
Pack Sun protection, water, and an early arrival to beat midday parking congestion.
Fall
Crisp, clear, and quieter, with strong light on the tower.
Pack Warm layer, headlamp for shorter days, and a camera for low-angle light.
Winter
Cold and quiet, with snow and ice possible on trails and the access road.
Pack Insulation, traction, and a plan for limited winter services.
Top things to do
Tower Trail
The signature paved loop that circles the base of the tower through pine forest and boulder fields, with constant views straight up the columns.
Red Beds and South Side Trail
A longer loop through red sandstone, prairie, and river-bottom country for a wider perspective and far fewer people.
Watch the climbers
Devils Tower is a premier crack-climbing destination. A voluntary June closure honors the cultural significance to many Native American tribes.
Make Tower Trail the timed anchor
Put the timed or highest-demand stop first, then keep the rest of the day close and low-friction. For one day in Devils Tower National Monument, time Tower Trail first, then keep Red Beds and South Side Trail and Watch the climbers close enough that the visit still feels relaxed.
- 1Start with Tower Trail: The signature paved loop that circles the base of the tower through pine forest and boulder fields, with constant views straight up the columns.
- 2Add Red Beds and South Side Trail: A longer loop through red sandstone, prairie, and river-bottom country for a wider perspective and far fewer people.
- 3Use Watch the climbers as the slower finish before leaving the area.
Plan your trip
Turn Devils Tower's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Devils Tower National Monument. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Devils Tower National Monument packing list
0 of 23 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Devils Tower National Monument asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, Electrolyte mix, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, 4 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- If overnightSleep and shelterTent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad
Checklist mode
23 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Devils Tower National Monument
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
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THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Devils Tower
The buying guides that match what Devils Tower asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
The only camping inside the monument is Belle Fourche River Campground, a first-come, first-served campground near the entrance. Outside the gate, the small town of Devils Tower and the nearby KOA have lodging, food, and RV sites, and Hulett and Sundance offer more services. For a longer trip, most travelers base in the Black Hills near Spearfish, Sturgis, or Rapid City and visit on a day trip.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Belle Fourche River Campground is first come, first served. Arrive early.
Devils Tower has one campground inside the monument, and it does not take reservations. The planning reality is timing: roll in early on summer afternoons, or have a backup outside the gate.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
No reservations. Belle Fourche River Campground sites are first come, first served and typically open mid-May through mid-October.
- Sites cannot be reserved in advance, so plan to arrive early on summer weekends.
- The campground sits along the Belle Fourche River near the entrance, with the tower in view.
- Private campgrounds and the KOA just outside the gate are the practical backup when sites fill.
Where to book or verify
Official NPS page with season, fees, loop layout, and amenities.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Belle Fourche River Campground
Details- Season
- Typically mid-May through mid-October, weather dependent.
- Sites
- About 45 sites across two loops, with pull-through sites for RVs up to 35 feet and tent-only group sites.
- The only camping inside the monument. Arrive early on summer afternoons to claim a site.
Getting there and practical info
Plan the handoff from arrival to shuttle.
Parking, pedestrian entrances, and shuttle timing decide how calmly the first morning starts.
Getting there
Get to Devils Tower National Monument, then remove the first-morning friction.
- Nearest airport
- Rapid City (RAP) about 2 hours; Gillette (GCC) about 1.5 hours
- Access rhythm
- Plan the last mile
- Region
- Wyoming
Arrival note
Devils Tower sits in northeast Wyoming, off US 14 near the South Dakota border.
Car strategy
Most visitors drive from the Black Hills, about two hours from Rapid City, and pair it with Spearfish Canyon or the Sturgis area.
Shuttle access
The access road climbs from the entrance station to the visitor center and tower parking, which is where summer congestion concentrates.
Pair this with lodging: sleep where the park transfer is simple, especially if your route needs an early start.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
The Wyoming Film Office (Office of Tourism) smooths access but does not permit; state parks and historic sites require a special use permit, and roughly half the state is federal land with its own rules.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Legal under FAA rules; commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: photographing people and property visible from public space is legal in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter Devils Tower National Monument?
The entrance fee is $25 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days. Motorcycles are $20 and individuals on foot or bike are $15. The park is cashless and accepts credit or debit only.
Can you reserve a campsite at Devils Tower?
No. Belle Fourche River Campground inside the monument is first come, first served with no reservations. It is open roughly mid-May through mid-October, so arrive early on summer afternoons or use a private campground outside the gate.
Do you have to climb to enjoy Devils Tower?
No. The paved 1.3-mile Tower Trail circles the base and is the signature walk for most visitors. Watching climbers on the columns is part of the experience, and a voluntary June climbing closure respects the site's cultural significance to many Native American tribes.