Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming (1984) — John Shaqi
Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming (1984)United States. National Park Service
History
Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming (1984)
United States. National Park Service
Devils Tower National Monument (Wyo.)
Highways—From Rapid City, S. Dak., take I-90 west to Sundance. Wyo.;
then U.S. 14 to Devils Tower Junction; then Wyo. 24 to park. From
Gillette, Wyo., take I-90 east to Moorcroft, then U.S. 14 to Wyo. 24.
From Newcastle, Wyo. take U.S. 16 to Moorcroft. From Belle Fourche, S.
Dak., take S. Dak. 34 to Wyoming line, then Wyo. 24 via Hulett to park.
Buses—Nearest regularly scheduled buses serve Moorcroft; no service to
park. Railroads—Nearest rail passenger service is in Cheyenne.
Airport—Rapid City Airport is served by a few commercial airlines. Cars
may be rented.
Visitor Center
For a general introduction to Devils Tower, the visitor center has
exhibits, an audio/visual program, trail guides and plant and animal
checklists, a publications sales outlet, and an information counter with
a ranger on duty to answer questions. This is also the place where
climbers must register to climb Devils Tower. The visitor center is open
from about May 1 to October 31. In winter information requests are
answered in the headquarters administration building.
Camping
The park has one campground for which a campsite fee is charged from
about May 20 through September 10. Opening and closing dates depend on
weather conditions. It has about 50 camping sites which will accommodate
both tent and trailer camping equipment. A water tap, restrooms, fire
grills, and picnic tables are provided, but there are no utility
hook-ups for trailers. Campsites are taken on a first-come, first-served
basis. After September 10, or later at the first sign of freezing, the
water is shut off and the road is not snowplowed. Winter camping is
allowed, however.
Scheduled Activities
The featured program at Devils Tower is presented every evening during
the visitor season in the campground amphitheater. The story of the
nation’s first national monument is told with projected slide
photographs by a park ranger who embellishes the story with colorful
anecdotes about rangering experiences.
Hiking
Even if you have only time for a half-day visit to Devils Tower, it’s
time enough for a hike around the tower. Tower Trail is only 2
kilometers (1.25 miles) long and traverses fairly level ground. It stays
in forest shade while it skirts the jumbled mass of boulders lying at
the base of the Tower. It is the only trail in the park with formal
wayside markers and benches where you can stop and look at the Tower
from close up.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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