Rising dramatically from the plains of Wyoming, Devils Tower is one of the most striking natural formations in the United States. Standing 867 feet (265 meters) from base to summit, it looks almost otherworldly — a massive stone column surrounded by rolling grasslands and pine forests.
Geologists believe the tower formed about 50 million years ago, when molten magma pushed up beneath the Earth’s surface and hardened into rock. Over millions of years, erosion stripped away the softer layers surrounding it, leaving the towering structure that remains today. Its distinct vertical grooves were created as the magma cooled and cracked.
To the Lakota, Kiowa, and other Native American tribes, Devils Tower is far more than a geological wonder — it’s a sacred site. Many legends surround its origin, including one where giant bears clawed the mountain as they tried to reach children who were lifted to safety by the Great Spirit. As one Lakota elder once said, “The land remembers everything. You just have to listen to its stories.”
Declared the first U.S. National Monument in 1906, Devils Tower remains a symbol of endurance and mystery. Its presence draws climbers, photographers, and spiritual seekers alike. Standing before it, many visitors feel an unspoken reverence — a reminder of humanity’s smallness before nature’s vast and ancient power.
In the words of naturalist John Muir, “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” Devils Tower embodies that truth — a place where rock, legend, and spirit meet under the endless Wyoming sky.
