Title: Can You See Devils Tower Without Paying?
Hey fellow adventurers, Dane here from DoubleDeckerFam! If you’ve been following our journey, you know that the Eyerly family loves to explore the great outdoors, especially when it’s a place that captures our imagination. One such place, steeped in Native American folklore and known for its otherworldly appearance, is Devils Tower in northeastern Wyoming.
Devils Tower, or “Bear Lodge” as it’s known to several Native American tribes, shoots up like a colossal tree-stump out of the rolling prairie surrounding the Black Hills. It’s a sight to behold, and as a family who is always looking to stretch the travel budget, we wanted to know: Can you see Devils Tower without paying an entrance fee?
The Great Outdoors Awaits
Firstly, it’s worth mentioning that Devils Tower is a National Monument, and typically, there is a fee to enter National Parks and Monuments. Money collected from park fees goes toward maintaining these precious natural gems, ensuring they remain accessible and preserved for generations to come. However, for those frugal families out there, there are a few strategies that can help you enjoy the view of Devils Tower without reaching for your wallet.
Strategy 1: View from the Road
Devils Tower is incredibly prominent in the landscape, and it’s visible from miles away. As we approached in our Double Decker RV, the excitement built with each mile as the tower grew larger on the horizon. One of the best spots to catch a glimpse for free is from route 24. Pull off to the side of the road (safely, of course), and you can snap some great pictures without entering the monument area.
Strategy 2: Annual Passes and Specific Dates
The Eyerly family advocates for making the most of America’s beautiful national parks, and if you plan to visit multiple sites within a year, an America the Beautiful Pass may save you money. For a fixed annual fee, you can gain access to all National Parks, Monuments, and Federal Recreational Lands. There are also free entrance days throughout the year, like National Public Lands Day or the National Park Service Birthday. Keep an eye on the NPS calendar for these dates!
Strategy 3: Peripheral Activities
For those who love the great outdoors, there are a host of activities around Devils Tower that don’t require entry into the monument itself. Hiking around the nearby Black Hills National Forest can give you stunning views of the Tower. Just make sure to check out trail accessibility and whether any fees apply for the parking or trail access in these areas.
A Closer Look: Worth the Fee?
Let’s be real for a second. While free is great, sometimes it’s worth shelling out a few bucks for an unforgettable experience. For the Eyerly family, getting up close to Devils Tower was one of these times. The visitor center, the interpretive programs, the ranger-led tours, and the maintained trails that circle around the Tower present a much richer story and tactile connection to this American icon than a distant roadside stop could ever offer.
Moreover, consider that the majority of the entrance fees stay within the park, helping with maintenance, conservation, and educational programs. It’s a way for us, as a traveling community, to give back and support these stunning locations.
When Practicality Meets Adventure
Here’s where the rubber meets the road—figuratively and literally—in our family’s double-decker travels. When contemplating whether or not to pay the fee, we chatted as a family, considering both our mission to be mindful of expenses and our desire to create deep, lasting memories.
Having the chance to walk beneath the towering monolith, watching peregrine falcons soaring above, and touching the ancient, grooved rock faces that have inspired stories for generations, it’s a full sensory experience that you just can’t get from afar. And let’s not forget the Junior Ranger Program for the kids, which always adds an educational twist to our visits.
Making the Decision: The Eyerly Perspective
So, what’s the verdict? Can you see Devils Tower without paying? Yes, you can. Should you? Well, that depends on your family, your budget, and your travel goals.
For us, the Double Decker Fam, we decided that paying the entry fee – this time – was a worthwhile investment. After all, part of the magic of family travel is immersing ourselves in these iconic locations and giving our kids the richest experience possible. And Devils Tower did not disappoint.
Whether you’re passing by Devils Tower on a grand family road trip or making it the centerpiece of your Wyoming adventure, we hope this post sheds light on the different ways to appreciate this natural wonder.
For more practical tips, engaging stories, and the continued adventures of our family of eight traveling the U.S. in our converted RV, keep those wheels rolling to our blog, and don’t hesitate to reach out and share your experiences.
Stay adventurous,
Dane – and the entire Double Decker Fam