Devils Tower National Monument

Devils Tower is a famous American landmark that was long considered sacred by Native Americans. It is situated in northeastern Wyoming, just west of the Black Hills, and it rose to fame after appearing in the hit science fiction film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" as the location where the UFOs landed.

The flat-topped volcanic formation, which is Wyoming's most notable feature, rises more than 1,200 feet above the surrounding plains, making it impossible to overlook. The 1.3-mile oval trail can be used to walk around it, but if you want to climb it, you'll need some strong technical skills. Visit the visitor center while you're there to see exhibitions on the history and culture of the region as well as interactive exhibits focusing on how the "tower" was created.

A geological marvel, Devils Tower National Monument protrudes from a rolling prairie close to the Black Hills. The Lakota tribe and twenty other related tribes revere it as a sacred monument. One of the best conventional crack climbing spots on the continent is what makes it most well-known.

The Tower has a number of undeveloped, remote hiking routes in addition to the Tower Trail, a paved circle that circles the monument's base for 1.3 miles. Visit the Circle of Sacred Smoke monument, scale the boulder field, and stop by the Visitor Center to check out the interpretive displays and culture and history activities to round off your trip to Devils Tower.

• Location: Wyoming