OverviewDevils Tower is best characterized by its numerous, long crack systems. Free climbing routes, that lead to the Summit, range from 5.6 to 5.12 in difficulty. There are numerous aid lines, currently ranging in difficulty from A1 to A4 and C1 to C3. Routes that Summit, provide 500 to 600 feet of climbing, on very solid rock. Climbing is popular , with more than 1,100 climbers each season. About 85% of all climbers are on the Durrance Route, the easiest route to the summit. That leaves the other 150+ routes with significantly less traffic and a much more private atmosphere.Fritz Weissner, Jack Durrance, John McCarthy, Royal Robbins, Bob Kamps, Chuck Pratt, Harvey T. Carter, Layton Kor, Fred Becky, Henry Barber, Todd Skinner and Dennis Horning (to name a few)have all pioneered routes here. There are Truly Classic routes of every grade and cracks of every size.Devils Tower climbing needs to be on your Lifelist!!!
Getting ThereLocated in Northeast Wyoming, turn off of Interstate 90 at either Sundance or Moorcroft exits and simply follow the signs for 30 miles , to the Park entrance. Entrance fees are $10, or a Golden Eagle Park Pass gets you in for free. If you get lost, call The Park Service at 307-467-5283
Red TapeThe Park Service only asks that you sign-in each day, before Climbing and sign-out when you finish. A portion of the Tower on the west side is closed to Climbing from late March, to the end of June, with respect towards the Falcons that nest there. Contact Jim Cheatham with the Park Service for details (307-467-5283 ex.12). The Park provides an exact list of closed routes for that period. Otherwise, Devils Tower is a very "climber friendly" place, and open for Climbing every day of every month of the year.
When To ClimbAlthough the Tower is climbed in every month of the year, the best weather is in the April through September time frame. The best months are May and June, when the days are the longest and the temperatures still moderate. July and August can be quite hot, especially for those aspiring to do the Durrance Route, as it is located on the South Face. Excellent times to avoid would be Memorial Day & Labor Day weekends and the first two weeks of August (Sturgis Motorcycle Rally).
CampingNo overnight camping is allowed ON the Tower. There are campgrounds both inside the Park (NPS) and outside the Park (KOA). There are also 3 Motels, 12 miles away in Hulett, WY. Yet, all of these options fall far short of one facility that is nestled at the base of the Tower. There is a Lovely Bed & Breakfast and Lodge, that you must drive through the Park to access. Located on 21 acres of private land, it is the closest residence to the Tower and features stunning views and the finest accommodations, as well as a hot tub, and a fitness room with an indoor climbing wall. The folks there guide and instruct climbing and are knowledgeable, friendly and eager to help in anyway, whether you stay there or not!! Needless to say, they can be contacted at www.devilstowerlodge.com or www.devilstowerclimbing.com or phone toll free 1-888-314-5267.
Mountain ConditionsSimply the finest web sites for weather are www.weather.com , www.crh.noaa.gov and www.weather.unisys.com . Enter the 82714 zip code. You will get a "stereo" vision of the weather, if You take a composite view of these three sites !!!!! Beta and any other information can be obtained by phoning 307-467-5267.
External LinksDevils Tower Fly-Over; A Short Video Images
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