A last‑minute change of plans led me to Devils Tower, where a quiet walk around the monument became one of the most memorable moments of my 2011 tour.
Devils Tower was never meant to be part of our itinerary. We were scheduled to visit the site of the Battle of Custer’s Last Stand, but landslides made the route impossible. The day before, I had asked our guide whether we would be going anywhere near Devils Tower and was told we wouldn’t. So when she announced that we couldn’t reach the battleground and would be heading to Devils Tower instead, I couldn’t help but smile. Sometimes the best stops are the unexpected ones.
Devils Tower.
Devils Tower is one of the most striking natural formations in the United States, rising abruptly from the rolling landscape of northeastern Wyoming. Its sheer, fluted columns make it instantly recognisable, and long before it became a national monument, it was a sacred place for many Native American tribes, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, Crow and Kiowa. Each tribe has its own stories explaining the tower’s creation, often involving bears, spirits and acts of protection. These legends give the monument a sense of mystery that you can feel the moment you arrive.
In 1906, Devils Tower became the very first United States National Monument, designated by President Theodore Roosevelt. Geologists believe the tower was formed millions of years ago when molten rock pushed upward and cooled into the dramatic columns we see today. Over time, erosion stripped away the softer surrounding rock, leaving the tower standing alone like a giant stone sentinel.
Despite its fame, Devils Tower still feels surprisingly peaceful. The quiet trails around its base, the rustling of the trees and the distant calls of birds create an atmosphere that feels almost suspended in time. Prayer cloths tied to branches remind visitors that this is still an active spiritual site for Native American communities, a place where traditions continue and ancestors are honoured.
The name Devils Tower comes from a mistranslation dating back to 1875. During an expedition led by Colonel Richard Dodge, an interpreter incorrectly translated the Native American name for the formation as “Bad God’s Tower.” Dodge shortened this to Devils Tower, and the name stuck.
Native American tribes, however, have never used this name. Many tribes consider the formation sacred and refer to it with names that reflect its spiritual meaning or its appearance. Some of the traditional names include:
- Bear Lodge.
- Bear’s Tipi.
- Tree Rock.
- Aloft on a Rock.
- Home of the Bear.
The most widely used Indigenous name is Bear Lodge, which appears in several tribal stories explaining the tower’s creation. These stories often involve children being saved from a giant bear, whose claws scratched the vertical grooves into the rock.
There have been several modern efforts to officially rename the monument to Bear Lodge, but none have yet succeeded. Despite this, many Native communities continue to use their traditional names, keeping the cultural meaning alive.
My Visit to Devils Tower.
When we arrived at the base of the monument, we were given an hour to explore before returning to the coach. I decided to walk part of the trail around the base, hoping to make the most of the time. The place was incredibly peaceful, almost as if time had paused. I kept walking, enjoying the quiet and the scenery, and before I knew it, I had completed the entire loop.
I returned to the coach expecting to be the last one back and fully prepared for a few annoyed looks. Instead, I was the first person there. Most of the group hadn’t even made it past the souvenir shop. It made my walk feel even more special.
The monument moved me deeply. I could understand why Native American tribes hold it in such reverence. Along the trail, I noticed pieces of cloth tied to tree branches. When I asked about them, I was told they represented the spirits of ancestors. It felt as though those spirits had guided me around the tower.
I hope to return one day, spend more time there, and maybe even camp nearby. Devils Tower has a calmness that stays with you long after you leave.
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