36. Devil's Tower, WY

Have you ever seen "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"? That mysterious place that everyone is so attracted to and that seems so surreal throughout the movie is Devil's Tower. The monolith rises 1267 feet and is the nation's first national monument (since 1906). It is basically a giant rock that sticks straight up out of the ground. When you actually visit, you realize that it is much more. The shape of the rock and its imposing presence, which should appear out of place in the midst of a forested area full of wildlife, seem almost perfect like the only thing that could truly complete such an area. It is no wonder why many American Indians use it as a place of worship.For nature-lovers, Devil's Tower is the perfect stop between Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park. The hike around the actual monolith doesn't take long at all, so it is perfect for a day trip. Like all other national monuments and parks, the best time to visit is on weekdays or just before or after the summer tourism season. It will leave you sculpting monoliths in your mashed potatoes.