Devil's Tower can be one of those parks which quickly can have a line just to get in, especially on busy holiday weekends. I visited on Labor Day and found that the early bird gets the worm when it comes to entry and camping alike. While there are other camping facilities just outside of the grounds the ability to simply wake up and hit a trail from your campground is something of unique appeal.
As you enter the park you will wind around the way with spectacular views of the Devil's tower, pass through prairie dog town and then stumble upon the campground just before ascending to the parking area for the tower's popular trails and small information center. When crowds are large parking in this area is tight, which is why camping inside the parks bounds has even more of an appeal. I found that the campground had an access trail which allowed you some of the best views of the tower and also the red beds.
There are two access points, one to the lower area and one to the higher allowing you to completely bypass the majority of the tourism traffic unless you really want to take the paved ADA trail.
Campsite is spacious and has limited number of sites so registration on a busy weekend is best done online. On a normal day of the week the campground can fill up by noon so keep that in mind if you are wanting to wing it.
Camp offers all the basics of home without showers. Flushing toilets and running water are centrally located as is potable water. This makes even camping in a tent feel luxurious as you are nestled under large shade trees with the Devil's Tower right in your backyard view.
Additionally there is abundant cell signal at all points around the park.
While there is no firewood or a local store located in the park, less than 50 yards from the entrance gate is a general store and restaurant which has everything you need and despite being so close prices are fairly reasonable.
I greatly enjoyed the area and also the company of the neighboring campers at this location, everyone was generally very friendly!! I felt like in comparison to other area campgrounds the price was also just right for what was offered at only $20.
TIPS:
Get the Annual Pass for Parks for only $80 and save big if you are visiting more than one park. There are several within a stones throw of this area you will want to visit including Wind Cave, Jewel Cave and Rushmore.
Try the Red Beds trail for a unique vantage point which seems completely disjointed from the look of Devil's Tower. For more information about this I suggest doing a little research beforehand.
Σχόλια