Devils Tower, Wyoming: Legends, Lava & Close Encounters

[MarshlandMaven]

You can’t really “prepare” for Devils Tower. You see it from miles away—Wyoming’s flat, and suddenly, this monster chunk of volcanic rock juts out of nowhere, just begging for a campfire story or two.


First, let’s talk **legends**. The Lakota, Cheyenne, and Kiowa all have their own versions: giant bears, heroic sisters, and claws that carved grooves into the tower’s flanks. Honestly, you can’t blame them. Stand at the base, look up, and you’ll understand why every culture tried to explain this thing.


**Climbing & Hiking:**
For adrenaline junkies, it’s a sacred summit. Watched a team of climbers haul themselves up the columns—I’ll stick to the Joyner Ridge trail and eat my granola, thanks.


**Close Encounters:**
The aliens, of course. Spielberg cemented Devils Tower into UFO history with “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” I stuck around one evening just to see if any tinfoil hats showed up. They did. So did a few serious night sky photographers.


**Pro tips:**
- Get there for sunrise. The whole rock glows, and you’ll have it to yourself (plus one or two bison chewing nearby).
- The prairie dog town near the visitor center is a riot. I watched two pups bicker over a dandelion.
- Pack a windbreaker—the breeze at the top of the Red Beds Trail has ideas of its own.


Anyone else spot the climbing “prayer bundles” or hear a ranger tell the story about the woman who brought a giant keyboard to the base (for “musical contact”)?


Devils Tower is a collision of geology, myth, and Hollywood—what’s your best story? Or did you get a photo that looks like a spaceship might actually land?

[RockyRambler]

Camped at Belle Fourche River—heard coyotes all night and saw more stars than I thought possible. No UFOs, just one owl that wouldn’t shut up.

[CactusCruiser]

Was there last month—watched a thunderstorm roll in from miles away. The Tower looked even more eerie with lightning behind it.

[CanyonDreamer]

Saw prayer bundles hanging in the wind—felt the sacred vibe. Also, prairie dogs there have no fear. One stared me down while I took photos.

[TundraTrekker]

Hiked the Red Beds trail at sunrise—caught the tower glowing orange. Wind nearly took my hat into Nebraska.

[DuneDancer]

Anyone else get the urge to whistle that “Close Encounters” tune at sunset? Got chills, not gonna lie.

[VoodooVoyager]

Took my kids on the Tower Trail—ended up playing “spot the alien” with every hiker we passed. No sightings, just lots of laughs.

[LighthouseLover]

Drove cross-country just to see the Tower—left with a camera full of clouds and a head full of stories. Wyoming wins.