Established in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt himself, the Devil’s Tower is a geological wonder that has fascinated people for more than a century. This expansive butte or rather isolated hill with steep vertical sides and a small flat top is several thousand feet tall. Due to its shape and sheer size, this towering formation, located in the Bearlodge Ranger District of the Black Hills, Wyoming, is a popular destination for climbers and outdoorsy types. So, if your next adventure happens to be at the base or atop this butte, the more you know, the better. In fact, here are ten mind-blowing facts about the Devil’s Tower that you more than likely didn’t know.
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10/10 The First US National Monument
As briefly mentioned, President Theodore Roosevelt decided that the Devil’s Tower needed to be recognized for its cultural, historical, and scientific significance. Adorned with lichens, moss, grass, and an abundance of thriving wildlife, this geological wonder met the following qualifications for permanent protection by Congress. Thus, this prehistoric formation known as the Devil’s Tower became the first National Monument in the United States or was declared the first by President Roosevelt. That said, this wasn’t the first time in history that the Devil’s Tower was proclaimed to be of great significance.
9/10 A Sacred Site
For centuries, the Devil’s Tower has been a sacred site for rituals and ceremonies by the region’s indigenous people. Today this geological formation is still considered to be a Holy site for most American tribes, including over twenty Plains tribes. Many of these tribes still utilize the Devil’s Tower for various formal occasions, prayer offerings, sweat lodge times, vision quests, and communal gatherings. Thus, visitors shouldn’t be surprised by the sight of prayer bundles or sacred cloths that may be tied to various trees near or at the monument.
8/10 Hiking Trails Galore
In addition to all the climbing routes at Devils Tower, there are more than a few hiking trails. What’s more, there’s pretty much a trail for every type of hiker. For newer or less experienced trailblazers, the Amphitheater circuit is a relatively short trail that is roughly 1.5 miles long. If you opt for this pleasant loop, you can easily cover the south side of the Tower and enjoy some nice views. Alternatively, for avid hikers, the Joyner Ridge Trail is a 5-mile hike that offers a breathtaking view of the river, the surrounding landscape, and more.
7/10 Camping At Devil’s Tower
Camping at a national monument might seem strange or unheard of, but visitors definitely can at Devil’s Tower. The NPS (National Park Service) actually operates a small campground here. In a rather lovely wooded area with stunning views, campers will find the necessities, including a restroom, a dump station, and a water-filling station. That said, there are no hookups at this site, and only dry camping is permitted. But if you can get past that, then this is a great place to pitch a tent.
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With the surrounding wooded areas, valleys, and rivers, it isn’t too surprising that a variety of species have claimed the Devil’s Tower for themselves. Here, visitors should expect to see everything from white-tale deer, mule deer, elk, and pronghorns, to beavers, squirrels, chipmunks, and striped skunks. But that’s not all; adventurers should keep their eyes peeled for mountain lions, grizzly bears, snakes, black bears, coyotes, gray wolves, and more. There are also bullhead catfish, sunfish, perch, and spiny soft-shell turtles in the nearby waters. Plus, butte visitors can catch glimpses of several species of birds that frequent this area.
5/10 Climbers Welcomed
Since the first semi-success-free climb by American-German mountaineer Fritz Wiesner, the Devil’s Tower has been a popular rock-climbing destination. Though there are more than a few climbing routes located at Devil’s Tower, most of the annual visitors that come to climb tend to favor the Durrance route. Initially established in 1938, this climbing route is tried and true. However, it is worth noting that this famous route is closed every June to climbers out of respect for the various Native American ceremonies that take place here during the summer months.
4/10 A Butte By Any Other Name
Shortly after the 1875 expedition led by Colonel Richard, Bear Lodge Butte, as it was widely known, suddenly became the Bad God’s or Devil’s Tower. Bear Lodge Butte’s fate was forever sealed, thanks to a misinterpretation by Colonel Richard’s trusted interpreter at the time. But long before this momentous expedition, this geological wonder was often referred to as Aloft, Bear Rock, Bear’s Tipi, Bear’s House, Grizzly Lodge, and Bear Peak by several local Native American tribes. Other popular names for the Devil’s Tower include Grey Horn Butte, Ghost Mountain, and Mythic-Owl Mountain.
3/10 There’s No Volcano Here
It has long been thought that the Devil’s Tower was an old volcano or at least formed by one that was now dormant. But geologists have always argued that this unique formation is actually an igneous intrusion. Such a formation occurs when magma undergoes crystallization, slowly cooling just below the earth’s surface. Over the course of 50 million years or so, this magma was pushed into sedimentary rock. Now solid rock, the surrounding sedimentary eventually eroded, leaving a tall, gray-colored core that we now know as the Devil’s Tower.
2/10 It’s Much Larger Than It Looks
As suggested, the Devil’s Tower is rather tall. Reaching over 5,112 feet above sea level, the Tower definitely isn’t a small rock formation that’s for sure. Since the Tower is made up of several columns, many of which vary in size and height, some points of the Devil’s Tower are approximately 600 feet tall and 10 to 20 feet wide. However, from its base up, the Tower is only a mere 867 feet high when measuring to the top of its summit—not too shabby, right?
1/10 A Possible Tower Of Death
Despite its name, this Tower hasn’t seen a large number of fatalities. In fact, only six climbing deaths have been recorded since 1937, and three of those six fatalities occurred when people descended the Tower. An estimated 5,000 people go climbing yearly here, so it is safe to say that the Devil’s Tower isn’t a tower of death. That said, there have been a few reported incidents where people were attacked and chased by bears over the years—but it’s unclear how many, if any, died due to a wild animal attack.