Annual voluntary rock climbing closure begins at Devils Tower

An annual voluntary closure for rock climbing at Devils Tower will be in effect through the month of June. June 1-30, visitors are strongly encouraged to refrain from climbing on the Tower out of respect for the spiritual and cultural significance of the Tower.

The closure zone includes all areas inside the loop of the Tower Trail. This voluntary closure was an agreement reached during the development of the monument’s Climbing Management Plan by a work group that included representatives from climbing organizations and American Indian tribes.

Over twenty American Indian Tribes consider Devils Tower a sacred place. Activities and ceremonies occur in the monument throughout the year; however, the month of June is an especially significant time for traditional tribal ceremonial expression.

Climbers are asked to consider tribal perspectives and to climb at other classic areas such as the Mount Rushmore Needles, Custer State Park Needles, Spearfish Canyon, Ten Sleep Canyon and Tongue River Canyon during the month of June.

The Final Climbing Management Plan (1995) established the annual voluntary closure for all climbing routes as a way to balance the cultural and spiritual importance of the feature to American Indians with its history as a unique and world class rock climbing destination.

The Access Fund, a nonprofit organization working to maintain access to climbing areas and protect the climbing environment, fully supports the voluntary climbing closure as a way to balance these interests and maintain access. Most climbers choose not to climb the Tower during the month of June.