Discover Crook County: Nature, Trails and History

Crook County offers a variety of highlights: Devils Tower rises from the prairie around the Black Hills, Keyhole Reservoir is a vast expanse of water, and trails and museums offer further perspectives. You can tailor your visit to your interests, with a focus on nature, outdoor activities or cultural history. The contrast is especially clear between a single walking loop, a large body of water and cultural and historical sites.

Devils Tower: Landscape, Culture and a Walking Trail

Devils Tower is a geological feature that rises above the prairie around the Black Hills. It stands 867 feet tall from base to summit. The Tower is sacred to the Indian tribes of the Northern Plains and Indigenous communities. Its geological form and cultural significance offer two important ways to understand the site.

The Tower Trail is a 1.3-mile paved path around the base of Devils Tower. Allow about 45 to 60 minutes for this loop. Its length and approximate duration make it easy to plan as a standalone activity.

Technical climbing equipment is required for safe climbing at Devils Tower National Monument. Anyone wishing to climb above the boulder field or undertake climbing-style ascents must register beforehand at the climbing information station. Hiking the Tower Trail and climbing are therefore distinct plans, each with different practical requirements.

Water and Outdoor Trails

Keyhole Reservoir covers more than 9,000 acres of water and has 53 miles of shoreline. Public swimming is permitted there. The reservoir’s size and swimming opportunities offer a different focus from a hike: here, the water takes center stage, while the Tower Trail provides a defined route.

Sundance White Ranch Park lies at the foot of Sundance Mountain and has five trails and open spaces for hiking, biking and running. Unlike the single paved Tower Trail, which is 1.3 miles long, the park combines multiple trails with different ways to get active. You can weigh up a clearly defined loop against hiking, biking or running in open terrain.

Archaeology and Cultural History

The Vore Site is a natural sinkhole that was used as a bison trap from around 1500 to 1800 AD. For those interested in cultural history, its appeal lies in the connection between the landform and its earlier use: the landscape is also part of the site’s archaeological history.

The West Texas Trail Museum in Moorcroft preserves and presents the history of the West Texas Trail and its influence on the region. It also offers educational programs, tours and special events. Since these offerings may change, check current dates before your visit.

Since opening in April 2010, the Hulett Museum & Art Gallery has been dedicated to collecting and preserving the history and culture of northeastern Wyoming. It displays prehistoric and historical artifacts. The Crook County Museum & 1875 Art Gallery displays more than 7,000 objects.

A tour of three museums is another way to explore Crook County. It offers a cultural and historical focus alongside the landscapes, trails and water-based activities.

Explore more destinations: Hulett, Moorcroft, Devils Tower, Weston County, Uinta County, Fremont County, Washakie, Hot Springs County

For the main travel overview: Wyoming.