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The Atlas/Wyoming/Devils Tower National Monument

Devils Tower National Monument

The first national monument in the United States, proclaimed by Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. A steep- sided igneous monolith in northeast Wyoming, Devils Tower rises 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River and is famous for the columnar jointing that gives its sides their vertical fluting. Reached via WY-24, it is a classic detour from the Sturgis rally and a sacred site to more than 20 tribes.

Wyoming
Region
Attraction
Stop type
Standalone stop
Atlas
// The stop

Devils Tower was proclaimed the first national monument in the United States by President Theodore Roosevelt on September 24, 1906. It stands in the Bear Lodge region of northeast Wyoming and rises 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River, making it visible from far out on the surrounding plains.

Geologically it is a steep-sided igneous monolith recognized worldwide for columnar jointing: molten rock intruded into overlying sedimentary layers and cooled into tall columns that cracked vertically as they shrank, producing the tower's distinctive fluted sides. The formation is a popular destination for rock climbers, and the Park Service has run a voluntary June climbing closure since 1995 out of respect for tribal ceremonies.

The tower is sacred to more than 20 Plains tribes, who know it by names such as Bear Lodge, and many groups still visit to hold traditional ceremonies. The monument has several miles of hiking trails, including a paved loop around the base of the tower, and is one of the most-visited national monuments in the country. Reached via WY-24 just across the South Dakota line, it is a standard detour for riders in the Black Hills during the Sturgis rally.

// Why riders stop

The iconic Sturgis-week detour — an easy ride across the Wyoming line via WY-24 to a monolith you can see for miles before you arrive. The park road loops to a base parking area with a paved trail around the tower, making it a rewarding half-day out-and-back from the Black Hills.

// Rider photos

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