Devils Tower attracts all sorts of travelers each year, but it truly is in the middle of nowhere. When you're planning a trip to see this national monument, you'll have to find lodging, plan your drive, and decide just how adventurous you'll want to be - but deciding on a place for dinner isn't something that you'll struggle with. If you ask around, you'll find that the best place to eat near Devils Tower is very clearly the Ponderosa Cafe.
Every year, half a million people flock to northeast Wyoming to visit Devils Tower National Monument - an oddly fascinating monolith that draws in sci-fi geeks, traveling families, hikers, and rock climbers.
The monolith rises up from seemingly nowhere, in a land that's otherwise dominated by red cliffs and the Belle Fouche river. The towns surrounding the tower are tiny, and it can be tricky to find a place to stay and a bite to eat while you're in the area.
Enter the town of Hulett! This little community is located about 20 minutes from the tower, and when you get off the highway, you'll think you traveled back in time.
The crown jewel of the town is a small bar and restaurant called the Ponderosa Cafe. It is far and away the best place to dine near Devils Towerl
When you walk in, you might be a little underwhelmed - and overwhelmed at the same time.
The tables and booths are simple, and the decor is over-the-top. Immediately, friendly staff will greet you and you'll pick up on the oddly welcoming charm that's a hallmark of the Ponderosa.
The menu doesn't feature too many offerings, but everything served here is remarkably tasty and fresh. The fries are unique - almost a hybrid of a potato chip and a potato wedge - and certainly one of the things that will stand out in your memories of your time here.
In a state that's known for amazing burgers, somehow, the Ponderosa tops most of the more well-known places. Their entrees may be fairly simple, but they are certainly perfected!
Of course, you can't go wrong if you order a steak. Each cut is cooked to order, packed with flavor, and melt-in-your-mouth tender.
By the way - if you happen to stop by the Ponderosa for dinner around sunset, you'll finish up just in time to head back and catch a sky full of stars at Devils Tower.
As the signs around the tower like to proclaim, "half the park is after dark," and the Ponderosa's convenient location makes it the perfect place to stop while you wait for the sun to set. From early spring to late summer, you can even catch a glimpse of the Milky Way in the sky, if you plan your trip around a New Moon and check the galaxy core's rise and set time.
Before you head out, be sure to check their hours (which vary seasonally) on their website, here.
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