Our Impressions of Devil’s Tower, WY

Geographically Devil’s Tower National Monument is located in northeastern Wyoming. If there is a city or town associated with the national monument, then we didn’t see it! The only area that might be considered “downtown Devil’s Tower” would be the post office building next to the KOA and a gift shop located across from the KOA. The Devil’s Tower National Park entrance is located approximately 250’ from the KOA campground entrance.

We did take a drive one day to a couple small surrounding towns, one about an hour away, Aladdin. And another town about 20 minutes away, Hulett. Besides those two towns there isn’t much until you get back on I-90 about 30 minutes from the Monument. But that is okay. The tower itself is amazing and the surrounding Badlands are also amazing.

Be aware cell phone service is poor in this area.

Attractions

Devil’s Tower: This is the reason to be here. There are walking trails around the base of the Tower, and with permission you can hike the side of the Tower to the top. Be prepared for FAST changing weather!!! During our hike around the base of the Tower, a 1% chance of rain turned into a deluge of rain within 20 minutes of leaving the Visitor’s Center parking lot. The next day, a 15% chance of rain turned into a very major thunderstorm with hail during our hayride! Enough said about the weather. Just be prepared for sudden changes in the weather!

Devil’s Tower was established in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt. The tower itself rises 867’ above the base. The first time anyone climbed the side of the Tower to the top without rigging was in 1937. More than 5,000 have since scaled the Tower. Only 6 have perished.

For centuries, Devil’s Tower has been, and continues to be, a sacred site for rituals and ceremonies by more than 250 Native American tribes. If you walk around the base of the Tower, do not be surprised to see prayer bundles or sacred cloths tied to various trees.

Climbing the Tower is prohibited in June, a holy time for Native American tribes. Hiking the base is still permitted.

Aladdin General Store in the town of Aladdin, population 15. We were told by a few people it was a “must check out”. It was first operated in 1896 by Amos Robinson as Wyoming Mercantile. Somewhere through the years it became known as the Aladdin General Store. It probably looks pretty similar today to what it did 137 years ago!

Hulett is a small town, population 318, about 10 miles from Devil’s Tower. There is a quaint downtown you can walk with mostly restaurants and small locally owned motels. There is a larger Best Western Hotel next to the golf course. Hulett has the only gas station within 45 miles. What was interesting about Hulett is the signs at both ends of town. Apparently during bad weather, the roads outside of Hulett are closed by gates, and you are told to turn around and stay in Hulett. Hence the number of restaurants and motels?

Food and Drink

77 Steakhouse is in the town of Hulett: The 77 Steakhouse is an upscale restaurant overlooking the golf course. The food was good, the wait staff was excellent.

Campstool Café at the KOA: traditional quick, casual fare of burgers and fries. Good for going to after a long travel day. It is one of the very few places to eat out within 10 miles.

Devil’s Tower Gulch: casual restaurant and gift shop. Good food in a relaxed, laid back environment.

Home Base: The Campground

For us, a campground is not our destination. Our RV is self-contained. Except for water, electric and sewer rarely do we use campground services or amenities. We are explorers, not campground reviewers!

We stayed on site 36 at the Devil’s Tower KOA Campground in Devil’s Tower, WY. 30 and 50 amp service were available. The campground was clean and well maintained. The staff was friendly. Every night there is a hayride (weather permitting) and an outdoor showing of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (rain or shine!).

Our full hook up (water-sewer-electric) pull through site was on level crushed stone. It was long enough to leave the Jeep hooked up and still have both vehicles off the road.
There was marginal cell phone coverage (Verizon). KOA’s wi-fi was strong. There was a good open southern sky for our satellite.

The KOA specifically requests you limit your outdoor lights: “We are blessed to have very little light pollution, please help us keep it that way.” Thank you, KOA! Star gazing and watching the ever changing shading of the tower is amazing!

The KOA was probably 250’ from the entrance to the National Monument. If we were in the area again, we would definitely stay here.

Fun Facts

In 1977 Steven Spielberg wrote and directed a movie called Close Encounters of the Third Kind! During the filming of the movie, the cast and crew stayed at the KOA! The movie, starring Richard Dreyfuss, was about a group of people who travel to Devil’s Tower where a giant alien ship hovers above the butte! Every night, rain or shine, the KOA plays the movie at their outdoor theater!

In 1906, Congress and President Theodore Roosevelt designated Devil’s Tower as the first National Monument in the country!

Summary

We are very glad we visited Devil’s Tower. From our site in the campground, we could watch the Tower change from a bright orange when the sun was shining on it, to emerging from a fog bank, to an eerie, spooky outcropping during a thunderstorm! It is definitely a place to experience in person!

Since beginning our full-time journey to discover the country, we have found something to appreciate in every city and town we have passed through. We hope you enjoy reading about them as much as we have enjoyed discovering them!

Your partners in travel,
Kathryn, Dave and Lucky
RVing Nomads

It’s a lifestyle

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