NM Campground Review – Belle Fourche Campground, Devil’s Tower National Monument, WY
Link to campground here: Devil’s Tower National Monument, WY
Link to map location here: Devil’s Tower National Monument, WY
- Site Quality = 3.5/5
Overall nice sites here with just a few main dings. Sites are arranged in 2 loops (A & B) and are all gravel pull-throughs, very long with very spacious (lovely) “sitting areas” containing picnic table and fire-pit. Site spacing is generally good and almost all sites have at least a slice view of Devil’s Tower (a few sites, esp. A12, B1 and B17 even have fully open views!) as well as excellent views of the surround area too. Good selection of shaded and more open sites, depending on what you’re looking for. Main ding is that the “official” length limit at the campground 35-feet and this reflects in the site quality -> some of the pull-throughs are a bit too tight in the curve (making it difficult to squeeze in a big rig) and several sites are quite unlevel (requiring levelers). However the roads are easily negotiable and sites are more than long enough for bigger rigs. We arrived on a Sat and the campground had plenty of open spots, so we had no issues finding a site to suit us. Also the price is outstanding (only $12/night) and the views are lovely. NO hookups, but generators are permitted from 8AM to 8PM.
Note/ There is a large rig parking area right before the campground which is the perfect place to unhook and scout. - Facilities = 2.5/5
Very basic facilities here. There are central flush toilets, kept impeccably clean. Several potable water spigots around camp (threaded and non-threaded). As a nice bonus there is also firewood (available for a donation) at the beginning of the campground. NO showers and NO dump station however. - Location = 5/5
There is one and only one reason to come here is to see Devil’s Tower and honestly I don’t think you can get much better than this. The campground is less than 1-mile from the base of the mountain with hiking trails accesible directly from camp. Most of the campsites even have direct views of the Tower! NO real grocery or shopping around this area though, so come stocked-up and ready to bask in the glory of the Mountain. - Pet Friendliness = 3.5/5
The big ding here is that Devils’ Tower doesn’t allow pets on ANY of their hiking trails, so unfortunately that means doggie cannot accompany you on ANY of your hikes. Other than the trail issue however, there is lots of space to hang out in camp and decent walking around the campground and day-use area.
Overall Rating = 3.6
BONUS ALERT = Camp within view of Devil’s Tower!!
Summary: There is one, and only one reason to come to this campground and that is to visit Devil’s Tower. For that purpose I don’t think this place can be beat either in price or location. The campground is located within the National Monument itself, a mere mile from the base of the mountain. Most sites have views of the mountain (or slices of views) and there are miles of excellent hiking trails directly from camp. The sites themselves are all long gravel pull-throughs, no hookups nicely spaced with very lovely “sitting areas”. Main ding is that some sites are rather too curved (esp. for big rigs) and unlevel, reflecting the 35-foot “official” length limit of the campground. However the camp roads are easily driveable and even though we arrived on a Saturday we had no issues finding a site to suit “the beast”. The other main ding is that Devil’s Monument does not allow doggies on any trails, so for those of you with paws in the RV you cannot take them hiking with you and are limited to the campground, main roads and day-use area. However if, like us, you’re just coming here to bask in the glory of the Mountain for a day or two, make a few mashed potato sculptures and hike a short hike then I don’t think this can be beat. And for $12/night it’s a total bargain too. I don’t think this will become a repeat return location for us (Devil’s Tower is a bit too far off the beaten track, and the dog-restrictions are too limiting), but it was totally worth it for us to come here for a few days. The campground was lovely and quiet, location was fabulous, views were excellent and seeing Devil’s Tower was a TOTAL blast. I recommend coming here at least once in your RV life!
NOTE/ For those seeking full hookups, there is a KOA just outside the main entrance to the National Monument. It rates well, and also has lovely views, but it is rather more expensive ($45/night). Also be aware that Devil’s Tower National Monument has an entry fee of $10 per car (or free with an America The Beautiful Pass). For more on entry fees click HERE.
Extra Info: Good Verizon signal (3 bars of fast LTE unboosted), but iffy ATT (1-3 bars 4G unboosted, but it came in and out). 50 total sites, all first-come-first-serve. Sites cost $12/night (or $6/night with Senior Pass). 14-day stay limit. Potable water on site, but NO dump station.
I LOVE your blog and your campground reviews! Thanks so much!!! Unfortunately, too many dog owners DON’T pick up their dog’s poop. Personally, that pets aren’t allowed on the trails is a plus from my point of view. Best wishes!
HAPPY TRAILS!! Larry
Well that’s the very reason I categorize my reviews, so people can pick and choose what’s important to them. For some (like us) pet friendliness is a big deal, but for others it isn’t. Same with facilities or site quality…important for some, but not for others. My overall rating is simply a straight average, but folks can always see the individual details in the category ratings and make their own decisions accordingly.
By the way, with your preferences you would enjoy National Parks. Almost none of them allow doggies on the trails. I’ve also come across certain campgrounds that prohibit dogs, but of course we never stay at those.
Nina
Hi Nina – I won’t be able to start my own travels until I retire so I’ll expose my utter ignorance of RV camping and ask how many campgrounds in the west are like those at Devils Tower and the Custer(?) campground that you reviewed just the other day. From the pictures you included (which I really love since they clearly show the reality of the campgrounds) campsites are simply barren pull-outs off the road leaving campers virtually on top of the campground road and completely exposed to their neighbors. I realize you may be forced to use these kinds of sites due to the size of your RV, but I grew up in the Pacific Northwest mainly tent camping in forested national parks where the campsites were actual campsites with privacy provided by the trees/foliage as well as being situated so they weren’t right on the road. So, can you (or maybe any of your readers here) give me an idea of what percentage of the parks you camp at in the west offer just road pull-outs as opposed to actual campsites that are more like the traditional campgrounds I’m familiar with. As always thanks so much for all your campground write-ups and letting me travel in my mind with you!
TOTALLY depends where you go. The campground tends to follow the landscape of the surrounding area. The last 2 campgrounds we visited were all on the dry side of Wyoming in the high plains. Not many thick trees here. However if you go to the PNW (OR, WA) especially on the western side you’ll find dense campgrounds with lots of trees. So, just depends on the environment. Desert and high plains campgrounds will be more barren. Forest and mountain campgrounds will be denser.
Nina
We still carry the mega damage that we received from a hail storm at Belle Fouche. 2 years ago 400 cattle were killed by baseball sized hail outside of Belle Fouche…. Be prepaired.
Rich
Wow! That’s gotta be rare? Terrible experience, but I can’t imagine it happens often?
Nina
Google it.
Well so I did. The two best (most comprehensive) reports on hail history in the area I could find were these:
http://www.stormersite.com/hail_reports/hulett_wyoming
http://www.interactivehailmaps.com/local-hail-map/moorcroft-wy/
It certainly looks like hail happens fairly regularly during the summer months (particularly June/July), with a range of sizes up to quarter-sized. Baseball-size is the very largest end of the scale and much more rare. I think you hit the hail storm of the century when you were here! Terrible to be sure (and super, super scary!), but not a common occurrence? If you have other statistics, do send them over.
For those worried about this Sept seems to have extremely low incidence of hail. Summer, particularly June/July seem to be the most active months.
Nina
P.S. By the way none of this diminishes what a horrible experience you had. Baseball-sized hail is terrifying! I can completely understand why you made the warning comment. We’ve encountered our share of violent weather in certain spots too, and it definitely changes how you view them going forward.
Actually the hail that did all that damage to our car was only about 3/4″. It is much more dense there and the locals say that the hail comes down and before it hits the ground it is pulled back up and then down again getting denser each time. Wish I had a vid of me trying to get out to the car to close a window…that hurt.
Rich
I wish I could remember which site we had there…But as you folks I was totally happy with the one we had..Quiet and with great views and for 1/2 price!..Took my Samurai up to the visitor center and watched the braver/crazy folks climbing up the Tower.
No way would I have stayed at the KOA…I’ve only stayed at one and it was on the way there with the temps over 100*..We needed the AC.
Again you have the best campground reviews!..
David
The campground felt incredibly peaceful when we were there. A combo of being there off-season, the remoteness of the place and the just the feeling of awe you get around that rock, I think. We could easily have stayed several more days if we had time.
Nina
Hi Paul and Nina, another great review, like to say thinks for all the info you share. It really helps. I am counting down to being on the road fulltime, months to go. Know that I will enjoy the life style, have owned 5vers or motorhomes most my life. Look forward to running across your path one day. So cheers and happy trails…..
Benjamin
Was out there in August and we didn’t get to stay there because it was full. Did stay at the nearby KOA and I think we got the better deal. Was pet friendly, the tower was out our front window and they showed “Close Encounters” nightly WITH popcorn.
Agree either one is only because you are visiting the tower. Couldn’t think of another reason unless it was to count deer and cattle.
Didn’t know the KOA showed the movie. That’s a neat touch!
Nina
As a brand new reader, I’m looking for an explanation of your rating system. Didn’t show up when I searched.
do you know if golf carts are allowed at state or federal camp sites ?
No idea. Sorry. Nina