To some, Devils Tower’s massive rock columns may look like they were custom-built for climbing. Visitors have scaled this national monument for decades, though the first bolted face climbs were only established in the ’80s. Since then, this Wyoming landmark has continued to refine its climbing programs. In 1995, Devils Tower National Monument released its Climbing Management Plan (CMP). Updated in 2006, the CMP helps direct climbing activity at Devils Tower while protecting the area.

One part of the CMP is the June Voluntary Climbing Closure. In a compromise with local Northern Plains tribes, Devils Tower National Monument voluntarily closes to climbers during June. Many of the area’s Indigenous communities know Devils Tower as Bear Lodge and consider it a sacred site. As such, some see climbing Bear Lodge as an act of desecration.

Photo via NPS

What climbers need to know

Climbing Bear Lodge goes against the wishes of many local Indigenous communities. As Oglala Lakota Tribe tribe member Waylon Black Crow Sr. told Outside in 2018, “Those rocks represent grandfathers. So when people climb Bear Lodge it’s like they’re climbing one of our grandfathers and it’s disrespectful … It would be like climbing a big old cross. They wouldn’t climb that.”

A 2014 proposal to the United States Board on Geographic Names (U.S. BGN) sought to officially change the site’s name to Bear Lodge. Currently, only the U.S. BGN, President, or Congress can authorize such a name change. Since 2014, the name change effort (headed by Great Sioux Nation spiritual leader Chief Arvol Looking Horse, according to Reuters) hasn’t seen much progress. Further, a 2023 senate bill proposed by Wyoming senator Cynthia Lummis specifically seeks to retain the name Devils Tower.

This context matters, especially if you plan to visit the area. Instead of climbing Bear Lodge, consider other destinations. Wyoming, home of Grand Teton National Park, has no shortage of great climbing locations. Satisfy your wanderlust with a climb at places like the gorgeous Fremont Canyon. And if you’re so inclined, reach out to your congressional representative to comment on the proposal to rename Devils Tower.