Devils Tower Travel Guide: A Perfect Day Trip from the Black Hills
- Eric Beuning
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Devil’s Tower is only about 90 minutes from Rapid City, making it an easy half-day trip from the Black Hills. It’s an ancient geological marvel rises dramatically above the Wyoming plains and has long been a sacred site to Indigenous peoples. If you’re visiting the Black Hills for the first time, or you’re on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, I think Devil’s Tower is a must-do bucket list experience.
A Devil’s Tower day trip is something you can drive yourself, or there are some great Devil's Tower tour options. The nice thing about taking a tour is that you don’t have to worry about the mountain driving or the surprisingly sketching parking situation at Devil’s Tower.
If you’re planning your own adventure, here’s an easy self-drive itinerary. And if you’d rather relax and leave the logistics to someone else, we’ll also introduce you to a fantastic, guided tour option.
Self-Drive Itinerary: Rapid City to Devil’s Tower
If you have your own car or you want to rent one, you can use the following self-drive itinerary to visit Devil’s Tower.
Start in Rapid City
Grab a coffee and breakfast downtown, then head west on I-90 toward Wyoming. It’s about a 1 hour and 45-minute drive to the monument. However, there are some potential stops to consider along the way.
Belle Fourche, South Dakota
About an hour into your drive, pull off in Belle Fourche, the “Geographic Center of the Nation.” The visitor center here has a small monument and a great photo opportunity if you're looking for a fun roadside stop.
Sundance Travel Center & Rest Area
This is the last place to get snacks, drinks and use a good bathroom before getting to Devil’s Tower.
Joyner’s Ridge
Joyner’s Ridge is a secret gem near Devil’s Tower that dog lovers will appreciate.
Dogs are allowed here, on leash. Whereas they are only allowed in the crowded, disorganized parking lot at Devil’s Tower, and not on the Tower Trail!
If you’re traveling with your dog, I recommend walking them at Joyner’s Ridge on the way up to the Devil’s Tower parking lot.
Devils Tower Junction and Prairie Dog Town
As you near Devil’s Tower, take the exit for Hwy 24. Before you reach the main monument entrance, look for the Prairie Dog Town. It’s a quirky spot where you can watch dozens of these energetic animals pop in and out of their burrows. My daughter got a real kick out of it.
Pro Tip: The parking at Prairie Dog Town is terrible, and is going the other way you drive in. So, if you don’t see a spot at first, you can try to catch it on the way out again. Otherwise, you can park at Belle Fourche about a quarter mile ahead and walk back.
Devil’s Tower National Monument
Stop at the Visitor Center to pick up a map and learn about the history and geology of the site. There are some great plaques here that represent both the geology of the tower and respect the culture of the Native Americans who lived here.
The best bathrooms are below and behind the Devil’s Tower Visitors Center.
What’s the Best Place for a Picnic at Devil’s Tower?
Belle Fourche River is the best place for a picnic near Devil’s Tower. It’s on the way up just past the Prairie Dog Town. There’s a small complex of B-Roads here along the Belle Fourche River with little parking lots.
There are picnic tables and a pavilion with some basic public-use grills near the main road. However, I think the sweet spot for eating sandwiches or grilling up hot dogs on the tailgate of your truck is the parking lot by the Wind Circle Sculpture.
Hiking Devil’s Tower
The Tower Trail is a paved 1.3-mile loop around the base of the Tower offering unbeatable close-up views. You can really get up close to the tower on the back/east side. Not a lot of people hike beyond the first 200 yards or so, and it gives you a connection to the natural beauty of the place.
Pro Tip: If you’re lucky, there might be people climbing Devil’s Tower. You’ll often see the support ropes or members of the climbing team. So, bring your binoculars to watch their progress.
Red Beds Trail
A slightly longer loop with wider landscape views if you're feeling more adventurous.
It takes you a pretty fair distance from Devil’s Tower. However, it gives you a more authentic connection with the local geology and the chance to perhaps spot some of the local wildlife.
Be Snake Aware
There are rattlesnakes at Devil’s Tower, and I’ve had two encounters with them out of my last four visits. If you hear rattling, freeze so you can figure out where the sound is coming from.
Turn your head slowly without moving your body to locate the rattling. Snakes rattle to warn, not to attack. It's their way of saying, "Stay away."
Then slowly back away to make the snake feel like you aren’t a threat. If you see the snake but want to continue on give it as wide of a berth as possible.
If you’d rather skip the driving, navigating, and park logistics, the Devil’s Tower National Monument Day Trip from Rapid City is the best guided tour.
It includes comfortable roundtrip transportation, a knowledgeable guide who shares fascinating stories about the area, and plenty of time to explore the monument and surrounding attractions without the stress of planning.
Worry-free transportation from your hotel in Rapid City
Expert storytelling about the cultural and geological significance of Devil’s Tower
Flexible free time to walk, hike, and photograph the Tower at your own pace
Bonus stops at scenic viewpoints and local landmarks
Final Thoughts on Touring Devil’s Tower
Devil’s Tower is easy to explore from Rapid City and the rest of the Black Hills Area. It’s the sort of thing you have to see and experience at least once in your life. If you leave in the morning, you should have time to
Taking a guided tour of Devil’s Tower lets you fully immerse yourself in the experience, enjoy the drive, and focus on the beauty and mystery of this unforgettable site.
If you want to learn more about the Black Hills area and other outdoor adventures, you should follow Eric Beuning's Author Page.
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