DEVILS TOWER

WYOMING THE FIRST NATIONAL MONUMENT The "town" is generally inactive during visit before you walk along the Tower Trail. the heat of the day in warm weather. In Ranger-naturalists conduct campfire pro­ DEVILS TOWER winter, the prairie dogs will come out of grams at night during the summer. their burrows to bask in the sun during the warmest time of the day. They stay under­ The Toiver Trail NATIONAL MONUMENT ground when the weather is wet, or when it This trail is gently graded as it encircles is cold. A roadside exhibit tells you some­ the tower. Along it you will find a wealth thing of their way of life. of natural history information in the plants, An 865-foot monolith, evidence of geologic activity millions of years ago animals, and rocks. ABOUT YOUR VISIT Indian relics have been found at a point just off of the Tower Trail. This site This National Monument was established From the east entrance of the monument 3 Geology (marked by a sign) was an Indian workplace on September 24, 1906, by President Theo­ miles of oil-surfaced road leads to the visitor and lookout point. You will want to stop dore Roosevelt's proclamation under the Geologists agree that the rock of Devils center and the Tower Trail parking area. here for the superb view up the Belle Fourche authority of the and became Tower was at one time molten or plastic. Valley. the first of many National Monuments to be About 50 million years ago this material was Interpretive Services set aside for the people of the United States. forced up from deep within the earth and The visitor center is close to the tower. Facilities and Accommodations This natural landmark resembles a colossal cooled not far beneath the surface. There It contains pictures, diagrams, artifacts, and Free camping and picnicking facilities in­ petrified tree stump rising from a mound has been controversy, however, concerning specimens to explain the geology, history, clude suitable tent or trailer space with table, beside the , amid rolling the mode of origin of the great shaft. It has and environment of the tower. Because fireplace, water, and comfort stations. grassland and pine forest. been interpreted as the neck of an old volcano these exhibits will help you understand and Motels and other accommodations are The top of the tower is 1,280 feet above or the remnant of a larger, enjoy your stay so much more, they deserve a available in nearby towns. the river and some 865 feet from its apparent mass. Recent studies indicate that it was base on the mound. The diameter at its base formed from a molten rock intrusion of the is about 1,000 feet, and at the top about 275 general size and shape you see today. feet. Mosses, ferns, grasses, shrubs, and Hundreds of feet of rock have been eroded sagebrush grow on the top surface, which from around the tower, exposing it to view. covers about an acre and a half. Mice, pack The erosion occurred perhaps only 1 or 2 mil­ rats, and chipmunks have been seen there, lion years ago, and the process continues Devils Tower and the Belle Fourche River and falcons and hawks make it their home. today. As viewed from various angles, the tower has The conspicuous columnar structure was many shapes and colors. produced long ago in the buried, newly hard­ there is no record of columns falling in his­ About a half mile from the monument Rock surfaces not covered with lichens are ened rock. It was caused by a pattern of toric times. This columnar structure is not entrance is a thriving prairie dog "town." dark gray. After long weathering, they prismatic cracks that developed at right angles well developed at the base of the shaft, pos­ This colony of prairie dogs will give you bleach to a light gray tinged with buff, the to the rapidly cooling surface of the rock. sibly because the rock there was more deeply a glimpse of the Old West, when these predominant color of the tower. Lichens of These cracks, radiating from points of ten­ buried and therefore cooled more slowly. "towns" were as typical of the plains as the various hues growing on the tower contribute sion, form columns of 3 to 8 sides. Viewed great buffalo herds. The presence of numer­ to its changing appearance during the day from a short distance the columns give Devils The Natural Community ous colonies of prairie dogs, sometimes cover­ under different conditions of atmosphere and Tower a fluted effect. Many broke away and The location of the monument between the ing several square miles, was deemed incom­ sunlight. On occasion, a red sunset may give crashed to the foot of the shaft, building up mountains and plains, and the varied soil patible with farming and cattle raising on the the tower a reddish glow, fading to purple. the heaps of rubble you see there. However, types and weather conditions, produce an plains. Consequently, they have been almost interesting community of plants and animals. exterminated from most of their former You may see mule, or whitetail, deer occa­ range. However, these little animals are pro­ The National Park System, of which this area is a unit, is dedicated to conserving the scenic, PRAIRIE DOG. sionally, as well as cottontails, chipmunks, tected in the monument as are all forms of scientific, and historic heritage of the United States for the benefit and enjoyment of its people. Fish & Wildlife and other small animals. animal and plant life. Service Photo. DEVILS TOWER

Distant vieiv of Devils Toiver

Weather The fees applicable to the monument are not listed herein because they are subject to The monument is open all year. During change, but they may be obtained in advance the summer, the days are generally sunny, of a visit by addressing a request to the super­ though it is sometimes quite cool in the eve­ intendent. ning. Rainy days are few and the rains of All fees are deposited as revenue in the short duration. Winter days are cold with U. S. Treasury; they offset, in part, appro­ occasional snowfalls. As much as 12 inches priations made for operating and maintaining of snow sometimes covers the ground, but the National Park System. the road to the monument is regularly cleared of snow. Mission 66

Location of the Monument Mission 66 is a program designed to be Devils Tower National Monument is in completed by 1966 which will assure the the northeast corner of . The maximum protection of the scenic, scientific, monument entrance, on State Route 111, is wilderness, and historic resources of the Na­ 7 miles north of U. S. 14 and 29 miles north­ tional Park System in such ways and by such west of Sundance, 33 miles northeast of means as will make them available for the Moorcroft, and 52 miles southwest of Belle use and enjoyment of present and future Fourche, S. Dak. generations. Visitor Use Fees Administration Automobile, housetrailer, and motorcycle Devils Tower National Monument covers permit fees are collected at the entrance sta­ more than 2 square miles and is administered UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR tion. When vehicles enter at times when the by the of the U. S. FRED A. SEATON, Secretary WYOMING is unattended, it is necessary Department of the Interior. A superintend­ NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, Conrad L. Wirth, Director that the permit be obtained before leaving ent, whose address is Devils Tower, Wyo., is the monument and be shown upon reentry. in immediate charge. THE FIRST NATIONAL MONUMENT U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : I958-O-456008 Revised 1958