Is this iconic Wyoming monolith a volcanic remnant or a sacred bear lodge?

Countries & Cities · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Rising 867 feet from its base, Devils Tower is a geological marvel and a deeply spiritual site. While scientists study its volcanic origins and hexagonal columns, many Plains Indian tribes revere it as a sacred landmark. This duality creates a unique tension between modern recreation and ancient religious tradition.

Established in 1906 as the first national monument in the United States, Devils Tower is a striking geological feature in northeastern Wyoming. Geologists believe the tower formed approximately 40.5 million years ago when magma intruded into sedimentary rock layers. As this molten material cooled, it contracted into massive, mostly hexagonal columns. Over millions of years, the surrounding softer sedimentary rock eroded away, leaving the harder igneous phonolite porphyry exposed as the prominent tower seen today.

The site is known by many names, including Bear Lodge, reflecting its significance to various indigenous groups. Traditional stories from the Kiowa and Lakota peoples describe the tower's formation through the intervention of the Great Spirit, who raised the ground to protect children from giant bears. The deep, fluted grooves on the tower's sides are interpreted in these traditions as the claw marks left by the bears as they attempted to reach the summit.

Today, the tower serves as both a popular destination for rock climbers and a sacred site for religious ceremonies, particularly during the month of June. This overlap has historically led to friction, as some indigenous groups advocate for climbing restrictions to preserve the sanctity of the area. In response, the National Park Service introduced a voluntary climbing hiatus in 1995. While the name 'Devils Tower' remains the official designation, efforts to formally rename the site 'Bear Lodge' have been debated for decades, highlighting the ongoing struggle to reconcile different cultural perspectives on this singular landscape.

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