About Devils Tower (Bear Lodge)
Devils Tower is a great columned rock rising some 260 meters above the Belle Fourche River. More than twenty tribes, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, Kiowa and Crow, hold it sacred. Many call it Bear Lodge, and stories tell of girls saved from a giant bear when the rock grew skyward, its sides scored by the bear's claws. The tower is the remnant of molten rock that cooled underground and was later exposed by erosion.
Prayer cloths and bundles hang along the trails, and ceremonies such as Sun Dances take place nearby in summer. The National Park Service asks climbers to stay off the tower voluntarily during June, a month of special ceremonial significance, and many respect this request. Visitors can walk the Tower Trail around the base, reflecting on the meaning of the place for its Indigenous stewards. A quiet walk here can be a lesson in shared stewardship.
What to see
- Tower Trail around the base
- Prayer bundles along the paths
- Red Beds Trail
- Prairie dog town
- Visitor center exhibits
Visiting Devils Tower (Bear Lodge): practical guide
- Best time
- May to September
- Hours
- Open daily; visitor center hours seasonal
- Entry
- National park entry fee
- Dress code
- Outdoor clothing and good shoes
- Nearest airport
- Gillette-Campbell County Airport (GCC), 90 km
Tips from experienced pilgrims
- Respect the voluntary June climbing closure
- Leave prayer bundles untouched and unphotographed
- Visit early to find parking in summer
Festivals and special days
- June ceremonial month
Etiquette for visitors
Guidance drawn from Native American religions tradition. Always follow signs and local custodians.
- Follow tribal rules; many ceremonies prohibit photography, recording and sketching.
- Do not climb, remove objects from or leave offerings at sacred sites without permission.
- Do not applaud at ceremonial dances, which are prayers rather than performances.
- Respect closed areas and the sovereignty of tribal lands.
- Buy art directly from Native artists or tribally certified shops.
- Avoid wearing imitation regalia or headdresses.
Location map
Open in OpenStreetMap · Get directions
Frequently asked questions
Where is Devils Tower (Bear Lodge)?
Devils Tower (Bear Lodge) is in Devils Tower, Wyoming, United States, North America. GPS coordinates: 44.5902, -104.7146. The nearest airport is Gillette-Campbell County Airport (GCC), 90 km.
What is the best time to visit Devils Tower (Bear Lodge)?
May to September
Is there an entry fee for Devils Tower (Bear Lodge)?
National park entry fee Opening hours: Open daily; visitor center hours seasonal
What should I wear when visiting Devils Tower (Bear Lodge)?
Outdoor clothing and good shoes
Which religion is Devils Tower (Bear Lodge) sacred to?
Devils Tower (Bear Lodge) is sacred to Native American religions. Active place of worship.
