Gillette, Wyoming (AP) 6-09

Devils Tower National Monument has imposed a voluntary climbing closure for the month of June.

A federal management plan for the tower adopted in 1995 established a voluntary closure for all climbing routes on the tower out of respect for American Indian cultural activities that month.

Many American Indians regard the tower as a sacred site and believe that recreational climbing there desecrates it.

Rangers at the monument can provide climbers with information about alternative rock climbing sites in the area.