Known to many by its appearance in Steven Spielberg's movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the nearly vertical monolith known as Devils Tower rises 1,267 feet above the meandering Belle Fourche River. It is the remnant of an ancient volcanic feature. Known by several northern plains tribes as Bears Lodge, it is a sacred site of worship for many American Indians. The rolling hills of this 1,347-acre park are covered with pine forests, deciduous woodlands, and prairie grasslands. Deer, prairie dogs, and other wildlife are abundant. In September of 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed this region as the nation's first national monument.

Rock climbing at Devils Tower is a popular recreational sport. The tower is acclaimed as one of the premier crack climbing areas in North America and boasts a colorful 100-year climbing history. If you plan to climb the tower, observe any route closures posted on bulletin boards and on the Tower Trail. Some routes are closed from mid-March to mid-summer to protect nesting Prairie Falcons. Contact the monument for specific closure areas.

• Devils Tower National Monument -

• Visit Prairie Dog Town to enjoy the antics of this furry creature.
• Hike the Tower Trail loop to learn about the region's natural features.
• Climbers should tackle a section of the Tower.