Mandatory registration is free, so climbing Devils Tower is free, however, not obtaining a permit is subject to a citation and a fine. Why is it called Devils Tower? The name Devils Tower originated during a scientific expedition in 1875. The commander of the army in charge of the military escort, Colonel Richard Dodge, wrote that the Indians call the well the Tower of the Evil God, which he modified to the Tower of the Devil. The first official maps of the area label the formation Bear Lodge, which is a direct translation of the Lakota name Mato Tipila. Other indigenous American names include Bear's Tipi, Home of the Bear, Tree Rock, and Great Gray Horn.
Dodge simply received a mistranslation of the indigenous name; others say it was an intentional name change. The truth is lost in history. When President Theodore Roosevelt declared the site as the first national monument in 1906, Devils Tower was used as a name and the name became official. The Geographic Names Board (BGN) was created in 1890 to ensure uniformity in the names of geographical locations.
Since its creation, BGN has renounced the use of apostrophes in names and has created the title Devils Tower instead of Devil's Tower. From the Devils Tower National Park website, American Indians have considered the Tower a sacred site long before climbers they will arrive in the area. Tribes have expressed concern about recreational climbing at Devils Tower. Some perceive climbing the Tower as a desecration of their sacred place.
It seems to many American Indians that climbers and hikers don't respect their culture just by climbing or near the Tower. The National Park Service (NPS) considers rock climbing to be a legitimate recreational activity in Devils Tower. Geologists agree that Devils Tower is an igneous intrusion; this means that it formed underground from molten rock. Throughout the month of June, the park asks visitors to voluntarily refrain from climbing the Tower or entering the Tower Trail circuit.
This plan provides instructions for climbing activities at Devils Tower to protect the park's natural and cultural resources. But what I do know is that native peoples have been very specific about the Devil's Tower and their desire for space to be used in their ceremonies. The Tower has two important closures for climbing year-round, in early April to protect nesting falcons, and a voluntary closure in June to respect the cultural values of American Indians associated with the Tower site. When using a commercial guide service, make sure that the company has a valid permit to guide the climbs to Devils Tower.
