Hikers and stargazers both find reason to stop at Mt. Roosevelt Dispersed Camping, a free, drive-in area within Black Hills National Forest that also serves as a staging point for the Mt. Roosevelt Friendship Tower trail. Sites are scattered along a gravel road, with a mix of open terrain and tree cover that gives campers the option to stargaze directly from a tent while still having tree lines nearby. No water is available on-site, so arriving with a full supply is essential.
The road in deserves attention before the trip. The first stretch up to the trailhead has notable washboard sections with sharp curves and steep drop-offs on the sides, making the drive more demanding than the short distance suggests. Reviewers note that most accessible sites work for standard vehicles, though spots further down the road require 4x4 clearance. An outhouse sits at the nearby trailhead. A pull-through site near the start has posted no-campfire signs, so check individual site restrictions before setting up a fire ring.
Cell coverage is workable at this elevation. Verizon users report enough signal for calls and texts, and AT&T provides data in some configurations. The area sits just outside Deadwood, making it a practical overnight stop on routes between Teddy Roosevelt National Park and Mount Rushmore. "Off the path, great views, good location to fun activities," notes Cheyanne P. Campers wanting a more defined site nearby can look at Mount Roosevelt Camp about a mile up the road.
Description
Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed on most of the Forest for a maximum of 14 days in any 60-day period. However, around developed reservoirs and campgrounds, camping is allowed only in designated areas. Check with the closest Forest Service office for specific information.
General rules:
Camp 100 feet away from any creek or stream and 1/2 mile away from developed recreation sites, including campgrounds and picnic areas. Motorized vehicles allowed 300 feet off of roads as shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (dots) for dispersed camping on the Black Hills National Forest. Around developed reservoirs and campgrounds, camping is allowed only in designated campsites. Can camp for a maximum of 14 days in any 60-day period. No open campfires in South Dakota portions of the national forest. Open campfires are permitted in Wyoming portions of the national forest, unless a special order prohibiting such is in effect.
Map & DirectionsMt. Roosevelt Dispersed Camping is located in South Dakota near Deadwood
Coordinates
44.38848 N
103.75863 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 31 usersLast on 7/24/26- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 30 usersLast on 7/24/26
AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 7/24/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 31 usersLast on 7/24/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 30 usersLast on 7/24/26
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 7/24/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Mt. Roosevelt Dispersed Camping needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 47 min from Rapid City, SD
- 3 hrs 19 min from Casper, WY
- 4 hrs 14 min from Cheyenne, WY
- 4 hrs 30 min from Bismarck, ND
