This awe-inspiring volcanic monolith juts up 867 feet above the surrounding prairie, and has been a sacred place for Native American peoples for many hundreds of years.

It was formed when a very hard core of magma cooled within a softer volcanic cone.  As the cone was gradually worn away by erosion, the hard core was exposed.

Native American legend says that the striations on the sides of the tower were made by the claws of a giant bear, as it tried to climb to the top of the tower.   Following in the footsteps of that bear, many rock climbers make their way to the top of the tower every summer.