Devils Tower National Monument
Devils Tower is a giant stone tower that rises out of the rolling hills like a huge tree stump. Its sides are covered in tall stone columns that go all the way to the flat top.
It became the very first national monument in the United States and stands out for miles around. Native American tribes hold it sacred, rock climbers love its columns, and it starred in a famous movie about space visitors.
How it formed
The tower is made of hardened magma that cooled underground and cracked into tall columns. Over millions of years, softer rock around it washed away and left the tower standing tall.
Native American stories
Many tribes tell a story that a giant bear scratched the deep grooves into the sides of the tower. It is a sacred place, and colorful prayer cloths can be seen tied to nearby trees.
Rock climbing
Climbers from around the world come to scale the straight stone columns to the top. Visitors on the ground can walk an easy loop trail and watch the tiny climbers high above.