![]() This process, known as deposition, is common in river deltas and coastal areas. ![]() These rocks are formed from solidification of minerals or organic material, and are usually deposited by water or wind. Most of the landscape surrounding Devils Tower is composed of sedimentary rocks. Fossilized remains of marine plants like crinoids and creatures such as oysters and belemnites are found in these rocks. A last minute Devils Tower camping trip was exactly what I needed to hold on to summer’s adventurous heart, even as the leaves began to fall.The visible layers of sedimentary rocks today give us clues to the ancient environments under which they formed. The anxiety I’d experienced just a day before had calmed. We sipped fantastic coffee at Blackbird Espresso in Spearfish before hopping on the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway to gaze at Bridal Veils Falls and hike the Roughlock Falls Trail.īy the time we’d made it home, I felt refreshed. We had breakfast in Belle Fouche at Patty’s Place, where the food wasn’t exactly tasty, but was certainly endearing it was endearing in the sort of way where I could imagine my grandma in their kitchen cooking everything in leftover bacon grease. Our drive home included plenty of stops to enjoy the northern side of South Dakota’s Black Hills. It had been a race to get to Devils Tower last minute, but now we could take it slow. We leisurely packed up camp and hit the road again, but with a much different pace than the day before. We chose a grassy patch tucked off into the trees, did a quick survey of the area with our flashlight, and settled into our new home for the night.Īrriving in the night has the benefit of waking up to see the beauty unveiled by morning. Luckily for us, however, after we turned onto Co Rd 204 from WY-24 E, we were able to find several wide spots in the road, visible even in the dark, where we could pull out. When opting for dispersed camping, finding a good site is much easier in the daylight. We planned to find a good spot for dispersed camping down the first dirt forest access road we saw. We looked up the fastest route into the national forest and headed east for quieter pastures. However, enamored by the stillness we’d experienced in the presence of the tower, we knew an established campground would no longer do. The Bearlodge Ranger District of Black Hills National Forest also offers a few established campgrounds within a 30-50 minute drive, including Bearlodge Campground, Reuter Campground, and Cook Lake Recreation Area. I pulled out my phone and used the park’s remarkably good reception to look for other Devils Tower camping options.ĭevils Tower View Campground is a privately run option three miles from the park. ![]() We could see stars faint in the sky and knew we still needed a place to sleep. I tried to imagine what it must feel like for those who climb the tower, dangling so tiny against such grandeur. It was just what I needed after chasing so many to-do lists. It was hard to place myself in the world. The hiking loop felt disorienting next to the tower’s beauty and mass. We put the camping question back on hold and headed to the tower. They can accommodate up to 20 people and 4 cars (though I would say pretty tightly), and cost $30. We also learned that the ideal sites we’d seen in the back were considered group sites. Within this time, the campground had nearly filled up. We got the $20 and fudgsicle we needed to camp, and drove back. Luckily, just outside of the park, across from the Devils Tower KOA, is the Devils Tower Trading Post, which has an ATM, and, arguably more important, ice cream. However, last minute trips never seem to be quite that easy.Ĭampground registration requires exact cash. Given the descending sun and the convenience of being able to stay so close to all of the park’s hiking trails and amenities, our big camping question seemed answered. It’s open May through October, weather permitting.Īfter a quick drive through the campground, we spotted a few open spots toward the back of the loop that looked just right. The campground also has restrooms and spigots for drinking water. Belle Fourche River Campground has 4 accessible sites and 43 sites with room for RVs up to 35 feet. This 2-loop, 46-site campground is the only Devils Tower camping allowed within the park itself. We showed our annual park pass at the fee station and quickly drove over to the first come, first served Belle Fourche River Campground.
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