Crook County brings together a variety of discoveries: a striking rock monolith, trails on the mountain, a large reservoir, and places with archaeological and regional history. When planning your trip, it is worth choosing your main focus first. If you want to spend time outdoors, you will find trails and opportunities by the water; if you are interested in culture, you can explore archaeological sites and museums.
Landscape and Trails
Devils Tower rises above the prairie surrounding the Black Hills. The geological rock formation measures 867 feet from base to summit. At its base, the paved Tower Trail loops around the rock. It is 1.3 miles long, and the estimated time to complete it is about 45 to 60 minutes. The distance and approximate walking time offer a practical guide when fitting the loop into your day’s plans.
Climbing requires different preparation from a walk: technical climbing equipment is required for safe climbing at Devils Tower National Monument. Anyone wishing to climb above the talus field or make a climbing-style ascent must register in advance at the climbing information booth.
Keyhole Reservoir offers a different focus. It covers more than 9,000 acres of water and has 53 miles of shoreline; public swimming is allowed there. Unlike the loop trail at Devils Tower, the focus here is on the water. Sundance White Ranch Park, meanwhile, has five trails and open spaces for hiking, biking, and running. The park is at the base of Sundance Mountain. This makes it possible to choose outdoor activities by type: a paved loop trail, trails and open spaces for different kinds of exercise, or swimming in the reservoir.
Archaeology and Cultural Significance
Devils Tower is more than a geological feature. The rock is considered sacred by the Northern Plains Indian tribes and Indigenous peoples. This cultural significance offers a different way of experiencing the site than its striking shape and height, and is worth keeping in mind when planning your trip.
Vore Buffalo Jump is one of the region’s most significant archaeological sites of the Late Prehistoric Plains Indians. The Vore Site is a natural sinkhole that was used as a bison trap from about 1500 to 1800 AD. This timeframe places its historical use in context and makes it a distinct point of connection with the history of the Plains. Together with the landscape and museums, it shows that Crook County offers more than a range of outdoor activities.
Museums and Regional History
The county’s Museum District recommends a driving tour of three museums as one way to explore Crook County. The West Texas Trail Museum in Moorcroft preserves and presents the history of the West Texas Trail and its influence on the region. Its offerings include educational programs, tours, and special events. If you would like to plan for any of these, check the current offerings in advance, as programs may change over time.
Since opening in April 2010, the Hulett Museum & Art Gallery has collected and preserved the history and culture of northeastern Wyoming. Its exhibits include prehistoric and historical artifacts. The Crook County Museum & 1875 Art Gallery displays more than 7,000 objects. These museums have different thematic focuses; the recommended driving tour offers a way to include them in a trip through the county without turning it into a fixed itinerary.
There are several interests to consider when choosing your stay: the Tower Trail with its stated walking time, additional trails and open spaces for hiking, biking, and running, swimming at the reservoir, and archaeological sites and museum collections. Choose your focus based on which of these sides you would like to get to know better during your trip.
Discover more destinations: Hulett, Moorcroft, Devils Tower, Big Horn, Park, Teton, Natrona, Niobrara County.
For the broader travel overview: Wyoming.
