Red Beds Trail

The Red Beds Trail that encircles Devils Tower National Monument derives its name from a section of the trail that passes through red badland formations. The experience differs depending on whether you go clockwise (mostly downhill) or counter-clockwise (mostly uphill). Personally, I’d rather get rid of the tough parts all at once, so I preferred the clockwise path. Regardless, the best part of the hike are the ever changing views of the tower along the way. Most of the pictures see of Devils Tower are taken from the southeast angle which is viewed at you approach the tower and gives it a perfectly symmetrical, upright appearance. As you hike around the tower, though, you discover that it has a noticeable lean to it from the sides.