President
Theodore Roosevelt
established Devils Tower
National Monument on
September 24, 1906, making
it the first national monument
in the US. Hulett claims Devils
Tower National Monument,
with its gorgeous hiking trails
and world-class rock climbing,
as its backyard. Standing 1,267
feet above the Belle Fourche
River and 5,112 feet above
sea level, Devils Tower is
867 feet from its
base to the
summit. The circumference
of the base of the Tower is 1 mile with the paved Tower Trail
a respectable 1 3/10 mile, an ideal distance for hikers of all
ages and abilities and offers a welcome reprieve from the car,
motorcycle or RV. With significant spiritual ties to the Native
American community and as an integral part of the American
landscape, The National Park Service’s 2009 estimates record
over 390,000 visitors, with about 4,000 visitors climbing the
tower each year. Along the trail, keep an eye out for birds,
rabbits, coyotes, toads, porcupines and prairie dog “towns”,
affectionately named for the close burrows they use for
shelter and protection. Signs will indicate the best photo-ops
to spot these camera ready residents.
