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"Need" hiking sticks? I'd generally say no. If they are part of your routine and aid balance, go ahead.
Backpack? For food & water if you want / plan to take your time and a jacket if weather includes a chance of rain But if you are going to do it quick, it may not be absolutely necessary.
The 2-mile loop being the Red Beds Trail? I think hiking sticks would help. I wish I'd had mine! I thought I was on the shorter Tower Trail (1.3 miles), but I had taken the Red Beds Trail instead by mistake, and it kept me going, and going, and going...until I realized that I was on the wrong trail, and had to turn back, because I didn't know how far out the loop was going to take me. I could probably have made the entire loop, but I had no way of knowing. I hardly met anybody else on the trail. The views were amazing, though! The elevation varies greatly, and the altitude is over 5000 ft, so I found it plenty strenuous (but I'm not really a hiker). I did bring a bottle of water, for which I was really grateful. For the Tower Trail you won't need hiking sticks if you are in decent shape. And you certainly won't need backpacks with supplies for either trail.
No. The trail is fairly level, not steep or difficult. Also, Devils Tower is in Wyoming.
Dang - I did it again. I knew that, but the smart part of my brain is stupid sometimes. What keeps throwing me off is the South Dakota tourist info has Devil's Tower in it.
Last edited by reubenray; 09-01-2020 at 05:38 AM..
The 2-mile loop being the Red Beds Trail? I think hiking sticks would help. I wish I'd had mine! I thought I was on the shorter Tower Trail (1.3 miles), but I had taken the Red Beds Trail instead by mistake, and it kept me going, and going, and going...until I realized that I was on the wrong trail, and had to turn back, because I didn't know how far out the loop was going to take me. I could probably have made the entire loop, but I had no way of knowing. I hardly met anybody else on the trail. The views were amazing, though! The elevation varies greatly, and the altitude is over 5000 ft, so I found it plenty strenuous (but I'm not really a hiker). I did bring a bottle of water, for which I was really grateful. For the Tower Trail you won't need hiking sticks if you are in decent shape. And you certainly won't need backpacks with supplies for either trail.
Make sure you read up on the park first. The visitors' center and campground are closed because of COVID.
I am surprised the VC is still closed. The VS in the Badlands was open with restrictions. We can handle the drinking water part, but needing a restroom may stop us from doing any hiking. The hour drive there plus a few hours at the park will put our bladders in overdrive. Are there any type of facilities outside of the park for using restrooms?
I am surprised the VC is still closed. The VS in the Badlands was open with restrictions. We can handle the drinking water part, but needing a restroom may stop us from doing any hiking. The hour drive there plus a few hours at the park will put our bladders in overdrive. Are there any type of facilities outside of the park for using restrooms?
Just the restroom facilities at the visitors center up at the tower are open. At the entry (where they collect the fee) all the facilities are open.
Dang - I did it again. I knew that, but the smart part of my brain is stupid sometimes. What keeps throwing me off is the South Dakota tourist info has Devil's Tower in it.
To be fair, Devils Towers is closer to more South Dakota attractions. It is an honest error.
No. The trail is fairly level, not steep or difficult. Also, Devils Tower is in Wyoming.
The SD post really threw me! Because I knew DT is in Wyoming, obviously (Close Encounters, etc)--we were there last year! But you see a post highlighted in the blue "Active Threads" box on the right, and you jump right in .
As for whether the trail is level, I am drawing from my own experience. The 2-mile Red Beds Trail is mildly undulating, up and down. The website says elevations change moderately. And like I said, I am not a hiker, and I am no spring chicken, so after 30 minutes (and getting further away from the Tower), and at 5000' (coming from sea level) I was winded and thought it might be the better part of valor to turn back. The "steep or difficult" evaluation is relative to each visitor. But for experienced hikers I'm sure it is an easy trail.
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What keeps throwing me off is the South Dakota tourist info has Devil's Tower in it.
. 
But for experienced hikers I'm sure it is an easy trail.
