July 2018
It’s a short drive from Rapid City SD to Devils Tower Wy I chose to get off the interstate on rt 34 which becomes rt 24 in Wyoming very scenic and one short 8% grade.
If you wish to buy a town Aladdin WY is for sale it consists of a General Store and a population of 15. Wikipedia says it sold at auction in 2017, but I noticed the for sale sign is still up.
I decided to spend the Fourth of July at Devils Tower National Monument.
The Belle Fourche River campground is at the base of the monument next to the Prarie Dog town. The sites are level with a picnic table and fire ring no hookups, with my senior pass it was only $10 per night. If you must have hookups there is a KOA right next to the entrance.
I grabbed a site next to the creek with a prairie dog town view.
I love to walk, but I haven’t done a lot of Hiking in years, so I decided not to take Matilde up to the visitor center but to hike the 1.6-mile trail from the campground. Uphill but gradual and hoot to come back down. You start off from the Amphitheater straight through the Prairie Dog town.
There are other trails this one goes all the way around the base.
At the visitor center, I got my passport stamp and token and enjoyed a Ranger talk about The Parachutist who got stuck on top for a few days.
I was able to visit with the ranger about volunteering as he and his wife do. And It helped me make up my mind to apply.
Located near the picnic area and entrance to the campground is the Circle of Sacred Smoke Sculpture by Junkyu Muto given to the American people as a gesture of world peace.
The night sky is mesmerizing I sat outside the first night for hours just enjoying the stillness and the clear night sky.
What I did not expect was the incredible view I had from my picnic table during the Fourth Fireworks.
Here is a picture of the boys chilling before the fireworks which they definitely didn’t like.
And the last picture I took.
