Worth it? YES as a delightful bonus for film fans: recognizing the mothership mountain in person is a genuine kick, and the KOA's summer outdoor screenings make a fun family night. The play: (re)watch the film before you go, get the classic profile shot from the meadow, and catch a KOA screening if you're staying at the gate in summer.
Who it’s NOT for: Visitors who haven't seen (or don't care about) the film — it's a fun bonus layer, not a reason to come; the Tower stands on its own. Anyone expecting a film "attraction" or set — there's no museum or filming-set tour; it's the real mountain plus the KOA screenings. Off-season visitors wanting the KOA movie night — the nightly screenings are a SUMMER/seasonal thing; confirm the KOA's schedule. Travelers who'd let the movie overshadow the site's sacred meaning — keep the film in perspective; this is first a sacred place to 20+ tribes.
Skip it if: You don't know or care about the movie, or it's off-season (no KOA screenings) — the Tower itself is the point regardless.
Time needed: A moment of recognition on arrival; ~2 hr if you catch a KOA outdoor screening. (research)
Best time: Summer evenings for the KOA screenings; golden hour for the classic full-profile "mothership" shot from the meadow. Any time to simply recognize it.
Cost: $Booking: Nothing required for the recognition; to catch a KOA screening, stay at (or check access with) the Devils Tower / Black Hills KOA and confirm the summer schedule.
recognizing the mothership mountain in person is a genuine kick, and the KOA's summer outdoor screenings make a fun family night. The play: (re)watch the film before you go, get the classic profile shot from the meadow, and catch a KOA screening if you're staying at the gate in summer.
Who is The Close Encounters Connection for?
The Close Encounters Connection is for photographer quiet darksky and black hills add on family.
Who is The Close Encounters Connection not for?
The Close Encounters Connection is not for Visitors who haven't seen (or don't care about) the film — it's a fun bonus layer, not a reason to come; the Tower stands on its own. Anyone expecting a film "attraction" or set — there's no museum or filming-set tour; it's the real mountain plus the KOA screenings. Off-season visitors wanting the KOA movie night — the nightly screenings are a SUMMER/seasonal thing; confirm the KOA's schedule. Travelers who'd let the movie overshadow the site's sacred meaning — keep the film in perspective; this is first a sacred place to 20+ tribes.
When is the best time to visit The Close Encounters Connection?
Summer evenings for the KOA screenings; golden hour for the classic full-profile "mothership" shot from the meadow. Any time to simply recognize it.
How expensive is The Close Encounters Connection?
The Close Encounters Connection is budget ($). Meravella shows prices as bands and never publishes exact figures it hasn't verified.
Basis research · last verified Sun Aug 09 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time). Prices are shown as bands; confirm live before you go. We never rank by commission.