Devil's Tower

[Sully54]

We are traveling from Custer State Park to Glacier NP in September. Was thinking of taking a detour and hitting Devil's Tower. It would add about an hour of drive time to our original destination. I don't know how much time we would need once there. Was wondering if it is worth the time?

[Racinforthefinish]

I can't answer for you but it was an interesting trip for me. About two hours to see everything I was interested in.

[wiscampsin]

IIRC it took us about an hour to hike around the base. It's a pretty cool formation and well worth the detour off your original route. You will probably see people scaling the side to get to the top (special permit required).

[RFactor1]

We live in Wyoming, and have visited Devil's tower many times. In my opinion it is worth it. You can get a brief history from the Rangers stationed there, walk around the base, and as mentioned, watch climbers scaling up and down. The surrounding area of the Black Hills are beautiful as well. That said, when my brother was here, and we suggested he take time to see it on his way to Rushmore, he was thoroughly unimpressed. So, to each their own. If this is going to be your only opportunity in a while, then why not? What do you have to lose other than a few hours?

[TaftCoach]

We stayed for a couple days in the area. I enjoyed the area more than Rushmore.

[RedHorse1]

We spent 10 days in Custer SD (Big Pine CG) and thoroughly enjoyed the area. A day trip to Devils Tower was worth the drive and as stated a couple of hours is probably enough time to take in the sights. The visit left me with an odd craving for mashed potatoes tho.
If you want to visit Mt.Rushmore and Crazy Horse monuments I suggest visiting them in that order. While not finished the scale of Crazy Horse is amazing and visiting Rushmore after could leave you with a “meh” feeling.

[Thomson]

We enjoyed the stop at Devil's Tower. You may want to reroute so you can go to the Badlands and Wall Drug in Wall, SD. All worth the trip. There is a great city run RV park in Spearfish, SD so you can camp thre and see all the above, and Sturgis. Good food around there, too.

[RFactor1]

Second the City Campground in Spearfish, SD. That is a very nice place to stay.

[Riich]

Originally Posted by RFactor1

Second the City Campground in Spearfish, SD. That is a very nice place to stay.

Agreed! They pack you in there but it is a well run place that sits right on a creek. Plus there is lots to do in the area, it sits next door to a fishery and there are walking paths all around you. Beautiful place.

[Sully54]

Thanks for the responses...

[Camper_bob]

IMO it's worth the detour. We stayed at Rafter J Bar Ranch last year to see the sights in the Black Hills and Custer SP. We took a day trip out to Devil's Tower, and I liked it a lot. There were beautiful views, and the formation is interesting as is the history surrounding it. The "hike" around the tower is what I would consider somewhat leisurely and nice. It's a paved trail with places to stop and rest along the way, and LOTS of good views of the formation.

I don't remember there being a great deal of access for "larger" vehicles? We took the TOAD out there (Jeep Grand Cherrokee at the time), so there was plenty of parking, and getting around was pretty easy. I seem to remember it getting pretty tight in the parking areas up around the main visitor's center?

My son LOVED spotting the prairie dogs along the road just inside the park. And the gift shops in the area were pretty interesting too. LOTS of alien-related stuff... And I thought a lot about mashed potatoes too...

[GarlicDude]

Spent a week in Custer Park and didn't make the effort to visit Devil's Tower. We did see Mt Rushmore which we enjoyed. We watched the movie of it's making and toured the museum, I would guess 3 hours max and we were done.

[campersam9]

I was well worth it. We were so impressed with the prairie dogs!

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by campersam9

I was well worth it. We were so impressed with the prairie dogs!

I liked Devils Tower WAY better than Mt Rushmore! So glad we saw it.

[Als1]

Originally Posted by Sully54

We are traveling from Custer State Park to Glacier NP in September. Was thinking of taking a detour and hitting Devil's Tower. It would add about an hour of drive time to our original destination. I don't know how much time we would need once there. Was wondering if it is worth the time?

Give yourself a couple hrs.

[JDug66]

Are you kidding ? Did you not see Close Encounters? Best movie ever, how could you not stop. Get out and breathe deep. Nothing wrong with the air there.

[Dr Dan]

We did it a number of years ago. Def worth it but it's a day trip no more. Unless u plan to climb it

[zimkathy]

Originally Posted by Sully54

We are traveling from Custer State Park to Glacier NP in September. Was thinking of taking a detour and hitting Devil's Tower. It would add about an hour of drive time to our original destination. I don't know how much time we would need once there. Was wondering if it is worth the time?

We loved It! It’s so majestic and beautiful. It was my 2nd favorite after Mt. Rushmore. We didn’t stay long, but so worth it.

[Brians first rv]

Just did the same trip in reverse. Montana to SD. Badlands scenic road, (Minuteman missile launch room tour, reserve in advance, and soilo, then up into Black Hills, lakes to camp around, on to Rushmore and then Deadwood, definitely stop at Devils Tower. KOA at entrance (8pm every night they play Close Encounters outside!) or Mom and Pop RV camps nearby. Got to climb the boulder field!!

[mrlarson59]

Definitely worth the trip. I love the American Indian story of how Devil's Tower was created. Indian braves were out on a hunting trip when they came across a giant bear. It chased the braves but they were able to save themselves by climbing up a huge rock. The deep grooves on the sides of this rock were made by this giant bear as he tried to get to the braves. Enjoy your trip and definitely make the side trip to Devil's Tower!