Sometimes, when you drive along the road, you see a naturally occurring oddity reaching into the heavens.
Welcome to Devil's Tower National Monument, the first declared as such, reaching high in the hills of Eastern Wyoming. Devil's Tower gets its name from an errant translation, when Colonel Richard Dodge mistakenly took what was known by the Lakotas as "Bear's Lodge" to mean "Bad god's Tower", and despite maps to the contrary from the 19th century, the name stuck. It's not known for bad luck by the natives of the area, as many will leave items to ward off any sort of demons that they believe possess them, and these remain strewn among the trees of the area surrounding the tower.
Devil's Tower is quite the sight to behold. As you drive from Sundance or Moorcroft towards Hulett along US Highway 14 and State Highway 24, you begin to see the ominous formation as if it were a city's skyline on the horizon. Once you travel in, make a stop at the Visitor's Center to see more information about its history, along with the random alien as a tribute to the popular film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". If rock climbing is your cup of tea, perhaps Devil's Tower will provide a challenge to reach the top, as many have attempted. Even if it isn't, a trip around the base of the butte will give great views of not only the formation, but the many of those attempting to conquer it.
Devil's Tower is a national monument, and unlike many of the other areas to visit in the Black Hills, this one will actually accept the National Parks passes that you may have, including the program at the time of writing this for fourth graders to enter, along with their family, at no cost to the family. Do be aware that the entrance gate will not accept cash as of the time of writing this, though National Park Service offices in the greater Black Hills region will be able to do so. Pets are strictly prohibited from trails, and even those who might use service tags without a legitimate medical service may face hefty fines.
So if your Internal Compass is pointing skyward while in the Black Hills, give Devil's Tower a try.
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