Has there ever been anyone killed? Yes, there have been six climbing fatalities since 1937. Three of these fatalities occurred while descending (rappelling) the Tower.

Devils Tower, the first United States National Monument, is a world-class destination for technical rock climbing, but its vertical basalt columns present significant risks. Historically, fatalities at the Tower are relatively rare given the thousands of climbers who visit annually. As of early 2026, there have been a total of seven recorded climbing fatalities at the monument over the last century. The most recent incident occurred in September 2024, when a climber fell while descending the "El Cracko Diablo" route. National Park Service (NPS) statistics indicate that the majority of accidents and deaths on the Tower actually occur during the rappel (descent) rather than the ascent, often due to equipment failure or procedural errors. While between 5,000 and 6,000 climbers scale the formation every year, the low fatality rate is largely credited to the park's strict voluntary "June Closure" (out of respect for Native American cultural traditions) and the high level of technical skill required to attempt the most popular routes.