Almost $4M in work planned at Devils Tower National Monument

GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) - The National Park Service is about to begin facility and trail work totaling almost $4 million in Devils Tower National Monument in northeastern Wyoming.

The work will include making an overlook trail more accessible to people who are in wheelchairs or have other physical limitations.

Plans also call for improving access to restrooms, a visitor center and a trail to the base of Devils Tower. Parking lots, visitor center exhibits and trail signs also will see improvements.

Funding will come from a variety of sources including a portion of entrance fees, the Gillette News-Record reports.

"It's been a long time planned and a long time coming to make s! ure that all these funding sources came together for us," said Nick Myers, the national monument's chief of interpretation.

Work is expected to begin this week, weather permitting, and should be done by November, Myers said.

Previous major work at Devils Tower occurred in the 1950s, ahead of the 50th anniversary of the National Park Service in 1966.

Devils Tower is what remains of magma that pushed up through the earth and solidified some 50 million years ago. The formation stands about 900 feet (275 meters) above the surrounding landscape.

Established in 1906, Devils Tower National Monument was the first U.S. national monument.