On this Page: General Information Climbing Beta

General Information

• We flew into Rapid City South Dakota
• We purchased camping gas in Rapid City. There was a Walmart or Kmart on the left side of the highway.
• Showers can be found at the "fort" near the entrance of the park.
• The Black Hills of South Dakota are relatively close and a great place to climb if the waether at the Tower turns ugly.
• Crook County Memorial Hospital (28 miles away in Sundance, WY)
• Sylvan Rocks Climbing School and Guide Service

Climbing Beta

• We used Devil's Tower National Monument Climbing Handbook by Guilmette, Carrier and Gardiner and
Devils Tower Wyoming and The Black Hills, South Dakota (#7 in the Classic Rock Climbs Series) by John Harlin II (Chockstone Press)
• Sign in at the ranger's station before climbing
• Bring big pieces of protection
• Bring more water than you think you will need
• Recommend two ropes for rappel
• Be careful to stay in the same line of rappel stations. A climb or rappel to the side can be confused with the rappel you want.
• Bring sunscreen
• Allow time for the approach if it is unfamiliar
• The Durrance route does not end at the top of the tower
• The rappel from the summit brings you to a lower part of the tower than the Durrance route start, so if you leave stuff at the base of the climb you will have to hike back.