Devils Tower Loop Trails
Some of the most scenic hiking in the Black Hills region is at the Devils Tower National Monument in northeast Wyoming. The Devils Tower is an igneous intrusion, by far the most spectacular of many in the Black Hills region. The tower rises 867 feet from it's base, plus another 400 feet higher than that from the Belle Fourche River at it's southern base. There is a visitors center and restrooms at the the base, plus more tourist-type stuff at the entrance to the national monument. There are many camping, lodging and dining options in the area, and the state of Wyoming has tourist information available on their Wyoming Tourism website. The most popular trail at the Devils Tower is the 1.3 mile Tower Trail, an easy hike on a paved walking surface. The Redbeds Trail is another loop trail around the Devils Tower, but the traffic on that trail is not so crowded. There area also has some other trails that connect to the Redbeds Trail. For a free downloadable map, click here: Devils Tower Map PDF
The photos below show the trailhead for the Redbeds Trail, which branches off the Tower Trail just past it's trailhead. This trail is a 2.8-mile loop that circles Devils Tower at a greater radius than the Tower Trail. There are two southern branches off the Redbeds Trail: the .6 mile Southside Trail and the .6-mile Valley View Trail, both which join at the Belle Fourche River Campground to the southeast of the Devils Tower. There is also a .6-mile connecting trail from the northwest part of the Redbeds Trail to the 1.5-mile Joyner Ridge Trail (a loop trail north of the Devils Tower).
The photos below show several climbers on various parts of the Devils Tower. Thousands of climbers have ascended the summit over the years. We do not do this kind of climbing ourselves, nor are we advocating that people try this. But if you feel this is something you must try, two Black Hills climbing companies have outstanding records for instructing and guiding rock climbers on the Devils Tower and other Black Hills challenges. You can access their websites by clicking here:
Sylvan Rocks Climbing Guides Tower Rock Climbing Guides
Sylvan Rocks Climbing Guides Tower Rock Climbing Guides
So whatever you wish that others would do to
you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matt. 7:12