In the wide grasslands of northeastern Wyoming, where the sky stretches endlessly and the wind carries only the sound of the prairie, a solitary monument rises from the earth like a sentinel: Devil’s Tower. But to truly feel its presence, you must leave the popular trails and approach it from the northwest, where the Joyner Ridge Trail offers one of the most peaceful and awe-inspiring perspectives on this ancient geologic marvel.
This little-known trail, often overlooked by visitors, grants a strikingly solitary and panoramic view of the tower. From Joyner Ridge, there are no crowds, no infrastructure—just rolling meadows, distant pine groves, and the massive volcanic neck rising abruptly from the ground. The silence here is immersive; you can hear the grass brushing your boots and the distant calls of hawks circling high above. It is a setting that demands stillness and rewards observation.
Geologically, Devil’s Tower is a phonolite porphyry intrusion, formed over 40 million years ago and later exposed by relentless erosion. Its distinctive vertical columns—some over 600 feet tall—give it a surreal, almost architectural presence. But long before it was studied by geologists, it was revered by Indigenous peoples as a sacred site. To the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho nations, it is known as Mato Tipila, or “Bear Lodge,” a place steeped in origin stories and spiritual ceremony.
Joyner Ridge allows you to feel that sacredness. It is not simply a place to take photos; it is a space that feels alive, ancient, and significant. At sunrise, the tower glows in warm tones of gold and rust. At dusk, it casts long shadows across the prairie. With each passing cloud, its surfaces change, revealing new textures and details. In these quiet moments, it’s easy to understand why Devil’s Tower has inspired legends and spiritual reverence for generations.
The trail itself is a short loop—just over a mile—but rich in experience. It traverses hills dotted with sagebrush, pine, and tall grass, and opens up to natural overlooks where the full majesty of the tower becomes visible, framed by open sky and distant horizons. Unlike the base trails, here you see Devil’s Tower in context—not as an isolated feature, but as a profound element of the surrounding land.
To visit Devil’s Tower from Joyner Ridge is not merely to see a geological curiosity. It is to step into a realm where stone holds memory, and where the land speaks quietly to those willing to listen.
