Buzz
Even if the name doesn’t ring a bell, Steven Spielberg enthusiasts will recognize Devils Tower from its iconic role in the 1977 classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Rising 1267 feet above Wyoming’s northeastern plains and the Belle Fourche River, this striking butte served as the backdrop for the film’s climactic scene, where an extraterrestrial spacecraft makes contact.
Since its debut nearly 50 years ago, the movie has brought this geological marvel to the attention of countless viewers, whether through home viewings or unique screenings held at the foot of Devils Tower. However, there’s far more to this site than its cinematic fame.
1. Numerous Native American tribes hold Devils Tower in deep spiritual reverence.
For the Northern Plains Indian Tribes, Devils Tower holds profound spiritual significance, far beyond its breathtaking appearance. It features prominently in numerous oral traditions and sacred stories, bearing various ancient names.
The Arapahoe, for instance, name it “Bear’s Tipi,” while the Kiowa call it “Aloft on a Rock” or “Tree Rock.” The Lakota people have several names for it, including “Bear Lodge,” “Bear Lodge Butte,” “Grizzly Bear's Lodge,” “Mythic-owl Mountain,” “Grey Horn Butte,” and “Ghost Mountain.” It is often referred to as “Mateo Tepee,” believed to mean “Bear Wigwam” or “Bear Lodge” in Sioux, a nod to the area’s historical bear population.
Even today, Devils Tower remains a vital location for sacred ceremonies such as sun dances, sweat lodges, and offerings of prayers and artifacts. Visitors are reminded to respect these traditions by not disturbing any religious items.
2. The name of Devils Tower sparks debate.
A wooden sign located near Devils Tower. | Jean-Marc Giboux/GettyImagesThe name Devils Tower became widely known in 1875 during Colonel Richard Irving Dodge’s expedition with geologist Walter P. Jenney through the Black Hills. Their mission was to verify gold claims sparked by General George Armstrong Custer. Upon encountering the rock formation, they were struck by its awe-inspiring beauty, with Dodge calling it “one of the most extraordinary peaks in this or any other land.”
Dodge documented the butte as “Devils Tower,” noting that Native tribes referred to it as “The Bad God’s Tower,” a name slightly adapted by the surveyors. However, given that many Native names for the site referenced bears—and early maps included translations for “Bear Lodge”—it’s probable that Dodge’s team misinterpreted the name. (In Lakota, the term for bad god or evil spirit is wakansica, while black bear is wahanksica.)
In recent years, Native tribes have advocated to rename Devils Tower to Bear Lodge, as they consider the current name disrespectful. On the other hand, some locals contend that a name change could create confusion and negatively impact tourism in the area.
3. Devils Tower holds the distinction of being the first national monument in the United States.
Devils Tower holds the honor of being the first designated United States National Monument. President Theodore Roosevelt, known for his deep affection for the American West, declared it as such on September 24, 1906, soon after enacting the Antiquities Act. Roosevelt officially adopted Dodge’s translation for the name, but a clerical error led to the omission of the apostrophe in “Devil’s Tower.” This mistake was never rectified, leaving the monument known simply as “Devils Tower” to this day.
4. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not a volcano.
While some speculate that Devils Tower is an ancient volcano, geologists argue it’s more likely an igneous intrusion. This means it formed underground as magma forced its way into sedimentary rock and solidified. Over millions of years, erosion stripped away the surrounding sedimentary layers, revealing the towering gray core we see today.
According to experts, Devils Tower formed approximately 50 million years ago, with the erosion process occurring between 5 and 10 million years ago.
5. The tower is not hollow.
Devils Tower is made of a rock type known as phonolite porphyry, which resembles granite but lacks quartz, giving it a less sparkly appearance. Despite its distant appearance suggesting hollowness, the monument is entirely solid. (The NPS likens it to “a cluster of pencils held together by gravity.”)
6. It’s enormously large.
Devils Tower isn’t only remarkably tall—it’s also exceptionally wide. Its summit measures about 180 feet by 300 feet, comparable to the size of a football field, while the base has a circumference of roughly one mile.
7. It’s a renowned spot for rock climbing.
Devils Tower attracts rock climbing enthusiasts who use its numerous parallel cracks to ascend to the summit. (Before modern climbing gear, local ranchers used wooden ladders.) The National Park Service reports that the site welcomes 5000 to 6000 climbers annually.
Climbing is prohibited each June to respect Native American ceremonies held during the summer solstice. Certain routes are also closed every spring to protect nesting prairie and peregrine falcons.
