Dispersed camping near Belle Fourche, South Dakota centers around several public lands within a 35-mile radius of town. The area sits at approximately 3,200 feet elevation, experiencing dramatic temperature fluctuations between seasons and even within single days. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F with cooling overnight to 55-65°F, while spring and fall camping provides more moderate conditions.
What to do
Hiking to lookout points: Mount Roosevelt Road offers access to the Roosevelt Friendship Tower trail with panoramic views. "Our spot was nice and a short walk to a vault toilet and trailhead. The trail led to a cool tower that we climbed to watch the sunset," notes a camper at Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite.
Fishing opportunities: Sand Creek Public Access provides creek fishing access with minimal competition. "The sand creek has plenty of fish to try your luck at," reports a visitor who also noted that "there are three pull outs along the road where you can camp."
Wildlife observation: Early mornings and evenings offer prime wildlife viewing. "We saw 2 deer on the way in. Flat, just off the road, dry, among trees, lovely view. Other campers around but still peaceful & private enough," states a camper at Along Mt Roosevelt Rd Dispersed Camp.
What campers like
Quieter alternatives to developed campgrounds: Many dispersed sites provide seclusion despite proximity to towns. "Quiet open and secluded with lots of open space to camp out," says a visitor to Spearfish Quarry, located between Belle Fourche and Spearfish.
Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution makes night sky viewing exceptional. "Slept like a baby!" reports one camper who found a quiet spot at Belle Fourche Dispersed Site. Another camper mentioned "plenty of trees to go pee in but also an open spot where we could stargaze through the tent."
Cell service availability: Unlike many remote locations, several dispersed areas maintain workable connectivity. "Verizon has good cell service here," notes a camper at Spearfish Quarry, while another mentions "Good Verizon service!" at Sand Creek Public Access.
What you should know
Road conditions vary seasonally: Many access roads deteriorate after precipitation. "The first part of the road up until the trailhead had quite a bit of washboard which was a little scary on the sharp curves with steep drop offs," reports a visitor to Mt. Roosevelt Dispersed Camping.
Fire restrictions: Fire rules fluctuate by site and season. "No campfire signs all over," notes a camper at Mount Roosevelt Road who still enjoyed their stay, rating it 5 stars despite restrictions.
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites lack basic amenities. "The entrance and spots of the road are pretty rough. With that being said we still got to our spot on motorcycle. There's a lot of spots to tent and even spots further down the road that had 20ft campers," explains a camper at Camp 5 Dispersed.
Tips for camping with families
Arrive early for level sites: The most family-friendly spots fill quickly. "We got here around 4 pm. The site we got was beautiful and had a lot of room for us to pitch a tent," mentions a Mt. Roosevelt Dispersed Camping visitor who recommends securing spots before evening.
Plan for temperature swings: Pack additional layers even in summer. "Temps on 90 were in the 90s but up here a great breeze and cool. So peaceful!" notes a camper at Hartman Rock Dispersed Site, emphasizing the elevation-related temperature differences.
Water supply management: No reliable water sources exist at most sites. "No water that we saw that we could use or filter," explains a Mt. Roosevelt camper, reinforcing the need to bring adequate water supplies.
Tips from RVers
Length limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs only. "I would not risk anything longer. There is a 25' trailer here now but I would not risk anything longer. A van, B+, or small type C will be fine," advises a visitor at Belle Fourche Dispersed Site.
Level parking challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain. "The first pull off recommended was too steep for our van. We pulled off at a great spot about 1/4 mile down the road with awesome views," suggests a Mt. Roosevelt camper who found alternatives.
Road navigation timing: Travel during daylight for better site selection. "Rolled in late night. Woke up to a beautiful sunrise next to the reservoir," shares an RVer who discovered the benefits of morning light for site assessment.
