CLICK HERE to see pictures and review the trip diary of an actual EARTHTRACES Devil's Tower Life Adventure climb!

Experience the awe and beauty of one of God's amazing creations on this one-day ascent of Devil's Tower. Climb or just come for the incredible views, horseback riding and other activities! Trip includes one day of pre-climbing and rappelling at Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills, one day climbing Devil's Tower (certified guide recommended) and one or more days of post climbing at Mount Rushmore or the South Dakota Needles. Even moderately experienced climbers can be tackle the Tower after a few days of training. There are numerous other climbing opportunities on the way out and back. Click HERE for how to get to Devils Tower or Click HERE for a map of Devils Tower itself. 

Technical and camping equipment is provided on all national EarthTraces adventures or can be rented by members from our equipment pool.

Want the 10-day weather forecast for Devils Tower? Click HERE. 

Travel. Allow 2 days to get to the Tower by car from anywhere West of the Mississippi. Nearest Major Airport is Rapid City, South Dakota (110 miles) or about 2 hours away by car.

Lodging.  The Devils Tower KOA is right at the entrance of the park with a great view of the Tower. They do take reservations. It has some great private cabins, camping sites and RV sites. It also has a showers, a heated pool, decent restaurant, game room, gift shop, horses and scenic hayrides. The KOA will be the first restaurant you'll find after a day of climbing the Tower and the food is surprising good, plus they give free refills on drinks (plan to drink a lot after a climb!). Another benefit: they show "Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind" free every night to guests. It's shown outdoors with the Tower in the background. Pretty neat.

For a unique bed and breakfast with rooms looking out on the Tower, stay at the Devils Tower Lodge (about $100/night per room, sleeps 4 ).  There are good camping options as well: the NPS operates the Belle Fourche Campground ($12/night per site), but they do not take reservations and do not have hookups or showers.

Activities. Horseback riding is an option for non-climbers or on a non-climbing day. They can be rented at the Devils Tower KOA (right near the Park's main gate) or Flying Y Ranch. Later, the Devils Tower Trading Post (across the street from the KOA near the Park main gate) has a good sandwich shop and ice cream parlor.

If you don't mind driving an hour, Sturgis, (home of the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (first week of August) is right along the road. It's town is known for its Harley Davison motorcycle enthusiasts and the rally has become a major annual festival, with national music groups and lots of activities for bikers and non-bikers alike. We went during Rally week and there are more motorcycles than you ever thought you would see - up to 1/2 million bikers! (This also tends to drive up lodging rates, for 100 miles in any direction a $50/night room becomes a $150 room during rally week.

Devil's Tower Climb. Unless you are an accomplished lead climber and know the routes, use a certified guide. Start out at first light to reach the Tower by dawn. We started at 5AM and were the first group, but, only by a few minutes. We didn't have to wait, those behind us had to wait 1/2 hour for our climbers to clear the 1st pitch. Early climbing also helps avoid the summer heat - the rock is hot to touch by noon. The Durrance Route is the most straight forward climb on the Tower and at 5.7 is technically the easiest - if you are an experienced crack climber with a competent lead. Our recommended guide, Andy Petefish (Above Ouray Ice & Tower Rock Guides) has 29 years experience guiding & teaching climbing and charges reasonable rates. He'll take you up the South Face Direct, only a bit harder technically at 5.8, but, preferred by many because it mixes face and crack climbing routes.

The tower is very unique. You climb from the top of one broken column top to the next, almost like climbing giant stairs. There is no hurry or rush required. Relax and enjoy the incredible views.

The longest pitch is about 70 feet with large areas at the top of the columns to rest. The climb will take 4-6 hours depending upon the number of climbers in the group and their skill level. 

On the top sign the climber's register to record your accomplishment. Then take some time to sit and reflect on how incredible the natural world around you truly is. The view is worth all your effort. Take along a one or more quiet time guide to aid in this important time.

When you're ready to leave, getting down is straightforward and simple. Four two-rope rappels will take you from the summit to the ground. 

No need to worry about bad weather, you can make a speedy retreat to shelter from anywhere on the climb.

CLICK HERE to see pictures and review the trip diary of an actual EARTHTRACES Devil's Tower Life Adventure climb!

Devil's Tower...

The nearly vertical monolith known as Devils Tower rises 1,267 feet above the meandering Belle Fourche River in southeastern Wyoming. Climbers must tackle a minimum 867 feet of the Tower to reach the top.

Once hidden below the earth's surface, erosion has stripped away the softer rock layers revealing Devils Tower. Known by several northern plains tribes as Bears Lodge, it is a sacred site of worship for many American Indians. The rolling hills of this 1,347 acre park are covered with pine forests, deciduous woodlands, and prairie grasslands. Deer, prairie dogs, and other wildlife are abundant. Proclaimed September 24, 1906 as the nation's first national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt.