Family Vacations in Wyoming: Devils Tower National Monument

The sheer drama and spectacle of this vertical rock monolith has been a beacon to visitors for hundreds of years. Hiking through the adjacent meadows and exploring nearby forests and boulder fields are fun activities, but climbing stands out as the most alluring activity. When people see a rock that tall, they just naturally want to climb it.

Devils Tower Wyoming.
Devils Tower was popular even before
Close Encounters of the Third Kind, but
the movie helped popularize it as an
icon of the West.

A number of climbing schools are licensed to operate at Devils Tower. Each offers play days where visitors learn the basics of rock climbing. The play days are appropriate for children ages four and older, and kids as young as seven have climbed to the summit.

Outfitters supply all the necessary equipment, including sticky-soled rubber climbing shoes. After an initial lesson, visitors start out on the less challenging north end of the tower. It's not uncommon for a novice climber to ascend between 50 and 200 feet on the first attempt. Families that wish to keep climbing can take follow-up instruction where they learn the skills that will help them make it to the top.

Continue to the next page and learn about William "Buffalo Bill" Cody and the "Rodeo Captial of the World" -- Cody, Wisconsin.

Devils Tower National Monument Information

Address: Highway 110
Devils Tower, WY
Telephone: 307/467-5283
Hours of Operation: Dawn - Dusk
Admission: $10 per vehicle or $5 per person

To learn more about family vacation destinations, see:

  • Family Vacations: Learn about hundreds of family vacations in destinations all over North America.
  • Wyoming State Guide: Learn about Mobil Travel Guide-rated hotels and restaurants in Wyoming, as well as other recreational activities.
  • Scenic Drives: For those who think that getting there is half the fun, we have compiled more than 100 of the most scenic drives throughout the country.