Climb the columns of Devils Tower with certified guides who teach trad multipitch technique while honoring the site’s cultural significance. Expect long crack pitches, quiet prairie views, and a strong Leave No Trace ethic.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The first steps up the gravel overflow lot feel ordinary — pickup trucks, backpacks, the nervous laugh before a rope goes tight — until the Tower itself rises from the prairie like a man-made cathedral. Granite columns, actually phonolite porphyry cooled into hexagonal pillars, climb straight up from grassland; the rock does not ask you to look, it insists. Climbers gather at the base, harnesses clicking, as guidebriefs parse rope etiquette and the history that sits on the same stone: Bear Lodge, a sacred site for several Plains tribes.
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Participants should have a high level of cardiovascular fitness and be comfortable with sustained climbing and exposure.
Wildlife
History
Designated the first U.S. national monument in 1906, Devils Tower is also known as Bear Lodge and holds long-standing cultural significance for several Plains tribes.
Conservation
Climbing groups promote Leave No Trace and minimize fixed gear; respect the voluntary June closure and stay on trails to protect fragile soils and native plants.
Reserve your spot on the Rock Climbing Devils Tower Activity today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Respect the June closure
Observe the voluntary climbing closure in June to honor Indigenous ceremonies; guides will reschedule or suggest alternate objectives.
Bring 2–3 liters of water
There is no potable water on the climbing routes; high temperatures and exposure can dehydrate you quickly.
Layer for wind and sun
Mornings can be cool and afternoons hot; a light wind shell and sun protection keep you comfortable on exposed pitches.
Practice knot and rappel skills beforehand
Guides teach technique, but prior familiarity with basic knots and rappels speeds progress and boosts confidence.
Approach shoes or light hikers
Firm footing for the short, sometimes slick walk from the parking area to the base.
Climbing shoes
Essential for edging and jamming on the Tower’s steep crack systems.
Light wind shell and sun layer
Protects against prairie wind and variable temperatures; bring sun-protective clothing for summer climbs.
spring
Hydration system (2–3L)
No reliable water on the route; carry enough to stay hydrated through long efforts.
summer