Devils Tower – Wyoming`s Sacred Monolith and Sci-Fi Icon

Standing 867 feet above the surrounding prairie, with vertical walls that seem carved by giants, Devils Tower is one of the most striking natural wonders in the USA. This massive monolith in northeastern Wyoming has been a sacred site for Native American tribes for centuries — and a source of fascination, legends, and even Hollywood blockbusters.

Whether you know it as Bear Lodge, Mateo Tepee, or from its close encounter with cinematic aliens, Devils Tower demands attention. It looms silently above rolling hills and pine forests like a sentinel from another time — or another world.

A Geological Mystery in Plain Sight

Devils Tower seems to erupt straight from the earth. In reality, it's the hardened core of a volcanic formation, left behind after the softer rock around it eroded away over millions of years. What makes it especially unique are its vertical columns — hexagonal (and sometimes more-sided) formations that look as if nature used a colossal honeycomb mold.

These structures are known as columnar basalt, and while they appear elsewhere in the world (like the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland or the Apostle Islands in winter), Devils Tower is by far the largest and most dramatic example in the United States.

Geologists still debate the exact origin of the tower — was it a volcanic plug? A laccolith? A stock? The debate continues, but what’s certain is this: it's been here for at least 40 million years, and erosion has slowly exposed more of its shape with time.

A Sacred Site for Native Peoples

Long before it became the first national monument in U.S. history (designated by Theodore Roosevelt in 1906), Devils Tower was a holy place for many Indigenous tribes. To the Lakota, Cheyenne, Crow, Arapaho, and Kiowa, this towering rock is sacred — a place of stories, ceremonies, and prayers.

One of the most enduring legends is that of the bear and the girls. In the Kiowa telling, several girls were chased by a giant bear and climbed onto a rock to escape. The Great Spirit raised the rock into the sky, and the bear clawed at its sides, leaving the massive grooves we see today. The girls were lifted into the heavens and became the stars of the Pleiades cluster.

To this day, colorful prayer cloths are tied to trees around the monument. Visitors are asked to respect these offerings and understand that Devils Tower is more than a natural feature — it's a living part of Indigenous spirituality.

A Climber’s Dream (And Controversy)

With its massive vertical face and hexagonal cracks, Devils Tower is one of America’s classic climbing spots. More than 200 routes wind up its fluted sides, and experienced climbers consider it a rite of passage.

However, climbing here is not without cultural tension. Many Native groups ask climbers to refrain from ascending during the month of June, when sacred tribal ceremonies are held. The National Park Service honors this request with a voluntary climbing closure each year — a model of shared stewardship and respectful compromise.

Close Encounters of the Monument Kind

For movie buffs, Devils Tower is instantly recognizable from Steven Spielberg’s 1977 film Close Encounters of the Third Kind. In the film, the monolith becomes a key contact point between humans and extraterrestrials — a beacon of mystery and cosmic connection.

The image of Richard Dreyfuss sculpting the tower from mashed potatoes has become pop culture legend. Since then, countless sci-fi fans and curious travelers have made the pilgrimage to see it in person, hoping to tap into the same eerie awe the movie captured.

What to Do When You Visit

• Walk the Tower Trail: A 1.3-mile paved loop circles the base, offering incredible views and a chance to see prayer cloths left by Indigenous visitors.
• Go wildlife spotting: The area is home to prairie dogs, mule deer, red foxes, and soaring raptors.
• Climb it (if you dare): For experienced climbers, the tower offers world-class routes. Respect closures and register with the park.
• Attend a ranger talk: Daily programs delve into the natural, geological, and cultural history of the monument.
• Stargazing: With little light pollution, Devils Tower is perfect for night photography and watching the Milky Way drift overhead.

When to Go and What to Know

• Location: Northeastern Wyoming, near the town of Hulett.
• Park Hours: Open year-round, but visitor center is seasonal (closed in winter).
• Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall offer cooler weather and fewer crowds. Summer can be busy but lush.
• Fees: Entry fee per vehicle is required (check NPS site for latest rates).
• Stay Nearby: Campgrounds are available near the base; motels in nearby Sundance and Hulett.

Other Wonders Like This

• Great Sand Dunes National Park (Colorado) – Towering natural formations shaped by time and wind.
• The Wave (Arizona) – Nature’s most surreal sculpture garden.
• Mono Lake Tufa Reserve (California) – Another alien-looking landscape, this one made of salt and stone.
• Thor’s Well (Oregon) – Where the ocean disappears into a roaring pit.
• Shiprock (New Mexico) – Another towering volcanic plug revered by Indigenous cultures.

Final Thoughts

Devils Tower is more than a rock. It’s a monument to geology, to culture, and to imagination. Whether you come for the science, the spirituality, or the cinematic nostalgia, you’ll find something here that speaks to you.

It stands — quiet, resolute — as it has for millions of years. Watching. Waiting. And always drawing humans toward it, just like in the movie. But you don’t need a spaceship to experience its power. You just need to look up.

Tags: Devils Tower, Wyoming rock formation, Native American sacred sites, Close Encounters filming location, USA hidden wonders