Devils Tower National Monument · Wyoming

Red Beds

2.8 mi of trail, end to end · Hike the Red Beds Loop Trail: 2.8 mi loop in the Service's write-up · about 450 ft of climbing · 3,908 ft–4,302 ft · hiking

ExhibitsVisitor centers

4,255 ft 3,959 ft · 1.4 mi high 4,271 ft

Along the way 001 002 alt 1-5, Climbing Plant Succession Red Beds Trail Red Beds Trail Tower Trail vista overlook vista overlook Visitor Center

Hike the Red Beds Loop Trail 2.8 mi loop · the Park Service's write-up

2-3 Hours · no dogs · season <p paraeid="{0d1ae956-27e0-4774-a509-8333f9d3234f}{62}" paraid="1694938050">The trail is open year round, but is not maintained in the winter.</p> <p paraeid="{0d1ae956-27e0-4774-a509-8333f9d3234f}{68}" paraid="827766673"><strong>Summer</strong>: Very sunny and can get very hot.</p> <p paraeid="{0d1ae956-27e0-4774-a509-8333f9d3234f}{78}" paraid="1299247154"><strong>Winter</strong>: Commonly has packed snow and ice.</p> <p paraeid="{0d1ae956-27e0-4774-a509-8333f9d3234f}{88}" paraid="1107418668"><strong>Spring and Fall</strong>: Suggested best time to hike.</p>

Start Devils Tower National Monument

Path winding through prairie grass, with cliff face, red rocks, and pine trees in background.
A view of the Red Beds Trail in late summer. Photo: NPS Photo

For those craving a traditional hiking experience at Devils Tower, the Red Beds Trail is a 2.8 mile (4.5 km) moderately strenuous path that loops around the Tower. This trail climbs up and down between the river valley and the visitor center, offering stunning views of the Tower and surrounding landscape. Get up-close views of the underlying geologic formations , including the red beds of the Spearfish Formation- the oldest visible rocks in the park! Learn about this region’s past from clues in these rocks.

Be aware that this trail contains steep, rocky sections. For a shorter, less-strenuous loop around the Tower, check out the Tower Trail . Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring plenty of water. The trail is open year-round; it is very sunny in the summer and is not maintained in the winter.

Pets Pets are not allowed on any hiking trail in the park.

Accessibility The Red Beds Trail is not accessible by ADA standards. Most of the trail is only wide enough for one person; it is not wheelchair or assistive device accessible. There are many steep sections on this primitive trail, including rock stairs without railings and portions of the trail with loose rocks and dirt. Be aware that there are sections of the Red Beds Trail that have steep drop offs along the side. During the summer, most of this trail is directly exposed to sunlight.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 7 trails in Devils Tower National MonumentFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.