In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt established a small 1347 acre monument, Devils Tower, as our nation’s first national monument. Thus, Wyoming is home to our first national park-Yellowstone in 1872- and our first national monument. We visited on the 40th anniversary of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, the movie that showcased Devils Tower as a UFO landing site. The movie was filmed onsite in 1976 at the campground where we stayed and the film is shown outdoors nightly at the campground.
OUR PERSONAL CLOSE ENCOUNTER: VIEW FROM THE AIRSTREAM DINING TABLE
Devils Tower rises dramatically 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River and surrounding grassland and Ponderosa pine forests. It stands 867 feet from summit to base. The summit is 5,112 feet (1,559 m) above sea level. Devils Tower was formed by the intrusion of magma into or between other rock formations composed of soft sandstones and shales which have been gradually eroded away. We hiked two of the five trails which provided fantastic views. All who “climb or scramble” above the boulder fields must register before their climb and check in when they return. We did see climbers at the top of the tower, but that is not our cup of tea!
As we hiked we noticed cloths and small bundles tied to the trees. These are Native American prayer cloths, and represent spiritual connection many tribes have with the Tower. Many feel that photographing the prayer cloths is not respectful to the Native Americans. We learned this after taking a photo so chose not to publish on the blog.
VIEW FROM RED BEDS TRAIL; 3-MILE HIKE AROUND NATIONAL MONUMENT LAND
VIEW FROM TOWER TRAIL AROUND BASE
Northern Plains Tribes have lived and held ceremonies near this remarkable geologic formation for thousands of years. There have been multiple names for the formation in languages of the various tribes who visited the sacred site. The names almost all translated approximately to “Bear Lodge”. Yet, in 1875, Colonel Richard Dodge’s interpreter reportedly misinterpreted a native name to “Bad God’s Tower” which later became Devils Tower. In spite of opposition from native Americans, the name remains.
NATIVE AMERICANS ATTRIBUTED THE RIDGES AS THE BEARS CLAW MARKS
PoolSmally 
Absolutely fascinating. Thank you!
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