Arrive early, make the prairie dog town your first or last stop, choose a trail that fits the youngest walker and ask about the free Junior Ranger booklet.
Start before the heat and parking line
A morning arrival makes almost every part of a family visit easier: cooler walking, better parking and more patience for the entrance station. Pack water and snacks even if lunch is planned nearby.
Restrooms and services are concentrated in developed areas, so use them before beginning a longer trail.
Choose the walk by attention span
Tower Trail is the obvious first choice because the scenery changes constantly and benches provide breaks. The entire outing is longer and hillier than a flat 1.3-mile loop may sound.
For younger children, walk only part of the trail and turn around. Valley View near the picnic area offers gentler walking and prairie dog views without committing to the whole base loop.
Earn a Junior Ranger badge
The Devils Tower Junior Ranger program is designed for children ages 5 through 12. Free booklets and badges are available through the visitor center, and the National Park Service recommends allowing at least an hour to complete the program.
A printable booklet is available online if you want to begin before the trip or if the visitor center schedule does not match your arrival.
Set clear wildlife rules
- Stay on paths and never approach prairie dogs or other wildlife.
- Do not feed animals, even when they approach developed areas.
- Do not touch prayer cloths or bundles seen near the trail.
- Keep children close near roads, boulder fields and steep trail sections.
Check current official information
Details such as fees, openings, closures and regulations can change. Use these official sources before travel: