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Can You See A Devil’s Tower Without Paying?

Can You See A Devil’s Tower Without Paying?

Devil’s Tower National Monument is one of the most famous sites in the country. Devil’s Tower inspires mystery and awe in tourists of all ages since it is revered by Native Americans, a well-liked road trip destination, and the location of an alien landing scene in a well-known film. So, can you see the tower without paying? Let’s find out!

It is possible to see the Devil’s Tower without paying anything if you don’t actually enter the park and site-see it from a distance. The entrance charges for the park are $25 per vehicle. However, your entry will be free if you hold an America the Beautiful parks card. 

Different types of visitors come and see the park every year. Some spend an entire day at the tower, while others spend half a day. Meanwhile, some do not enter the park but prefer seeing it from a distance and taking pictures through the parking lot.

Read on to find out more about the tower and the estimated budget.

Amazing Facts About Devil’s Tower

On September 24, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt established Devil’s Tower as the nation’s first national monument. He established Wyoming as the location of the first national park and the first national monument, Yellowstone National Park.

Native Indians have always held Devil’s Tower in high regard. The tower is connected to six tribes geographically or culturally, with the Lakota having one of the most fabulous ties. The locals also know the tower as Bear Lodge, Ghost Mountain, and Mythic-Owl Mountain.

The formation of the Devil’s Tower is the subject of numerous theories. This is the most likely theory that the molten lava was driven into sedimentary rock layers 50 million years ago. Igneous rock developed hexagonal columns as the magma cooled. The sedimentary rock slowly crumbled away over millions of years, exposing Devil’s Tower.

Devil’s Tower rises 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River and 867 feet from the ground. On a clear day, it may be seen from miles away.

Learn more about Devil’s Tower in this video:

The UnXplained: Mystery of Devil’s Tower (Season 1) | History

Access To Devil’s Tower

Wyoming’s northeastern region is where Devil’s Tower is.

Devils Tower is accessible from Rapid City as a day excursion or as part of a cross-country drive. If you want to visit Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone, various driving routes pass through Wyoming. Devil’s Tower can easily be added to this road trip.

Below are the travel times and distances to adjacent locations:

  • Gillette, Wyoming: 66 miles, 1 hour, 15 minutes
  • Rapid City, South Dakota: 107 miles, 1 hour, 45 minutes
  • Billings, Montana: 265 miles, 4 hours, 15 minutes
  • Cody, Wyoming: 300 miles, 5 hours
  • Yellowstone National Park: 350 hours, 6 hours

How Much Does It Cost To Visit Devil’s Tower?

The cost of visiting the tower depends on your planning. It will only cost a penny if you just want to view the tower from a distance without entering the park. The monument is big enough to be seen 10 miles, or even more, away.

Additionally, there are numerous spots where you can park your vehicle and capture the essence of the tower from your camera lens. But then again, you need a good camera with a long lens. Otherwise, the closest you can get to the tower without paying anything is the parking lot which is a good enough site for many visitors. However, you will have to pay to get past this point.

The monument’s usual admission prices are listed below. The information about various annual and lifetime park passes is provided in the next section. Entrance fees to parks assist in funding activities that directly benefit visitors.

Entrance Fee For Vehicles

The charge for one private, non-commercial car and each of its occupants is $25. Moreover, the pass is acceptable for 1-7 days.

Entrance Fee For Motorcycle

The charge for one motorcycle and its driver or passenger is $20. The pass is valid for 1-7 days.

Entrance Fee For Bicycle & Foot

The entrance fee for one person, whether traveling by foot or bicycle, is $15. This individual permit is valid for up to 7 days.

Moreover, young people under 15 are admitted free of charge. This costs for professionally run nonprofit organizations, including service organizations, scout groups, religious groups, etc.

Entrance Fee For Commercial Tours

These entrance prices are calculated based on the commercial tour vehicle’s seating capacity, not the number of passengers. The cost of a commercial tour vehicle with a seating capacity of 1-6 people is $25 plus $15 per participant, up to a maximum of $40.

Meanwhile, the cost of a commercial tour vehicle with a seating capacity of 7-25 people is $40 and is $100 for a total of 26 or more people.

Charge-Free Days

There are certain days when the authority does not charge a single penny to the visitors. However, remember that this fee strictly applies to the entrance fee only. The following are the days when the park does not charge anything:

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 17
  • First day of National Park Week and National Junior Ranger Day – April 16
  • Great American Outdoors Act Signing Day – August 4
  • National Public Lands Day, September 4
  • Veterans Day – November 11

Devils Tower National Monument Annual Pass

Consider obtaining the park’s annual pass if you visit (or want to) the tower frequently. The pass costs $45 for one-time, but it becomes profitable after two visits! For people who reside in the area, this is a fantastic offer. The yearly pass is right if you frequently bring guests, climb the tower, or participate in summertime camping and ranger activities.

America The Beautiful Interagency Passes

The Interagency Pass Program, which provides a variety of passes, includes the National Park Service as a participant. These passes can be bought at the Devils Tower National Monument Entry Station.

Final Thoughts

Although you can view Devil’s Tower for free without entering the park, we highly recommend you visit the tower up close as there are numerous places to stay within the tower. 

The five hiking trails at the Devil’s Tower, the Circle of Sacred Smoke, Prairie Dog Town, Ranger Program, and Night Sky Watching make it worth paying for the visit. So, what are you waiting for? Plan and visit this fantastic beauty.