Mount Roosevelt Road offers several free camping opportunities near Deadwood, South Dakota, providing primitive sites within minutes of this historic mining town. The dispersed camping areas along this road contain multiple pull-off spots leading to Roosevelt Friendship Tower, with most accessible via the CanAm Highway entrance. These Black Hills National Forest dispersed sites operate year-round, though winter access becomes difficult with snow and ice on the gravel roads. Elevation ranges from approximately 4,500 to 5,200 feet, creating cool summer nights even when days reach the 80s.
What to do
Hike to Roosevelt Friendship Tower: A short trail accessible from the Mount Roosevelt Road camping area leads to a historic stone tower with panoramic views. A visitor at Mount Roosevelt Road noted, "The road getting up here is very rough and rocky. We have a jeep and had no problems getting up here and I saw some suv's, a van, and some campers too."
Explore Deadwood: Free dispersed camping provides budget-friendly accommodations while visiting Deadwood's historic sites and casinos. Campers at Mount Roosevelt Camp appreciate the "tranquil spot to escape it all" while staying close to town attractions.
Drive scenic routes: The Black Hills contain numerous scenic byways within 30 minutes of these camping areas. A camper at RD 356 Dispersed Site shared it's a "great spot to stay. The road is well maintained and easy to get down. I saw some larger RVs at the sites closer to the entrance."
What campers like
Privacy with proximity: Campers value the balance between seclusion and convenience. At West Nemo - Dispersed Camping, a reviewer wrote, "Just what I needed. Crickets, coyotes, and mosquitos. Can hear a nearby highway, but was empty on a Monday night. Can't ask for much more."
Wildlife viewing: The area hosts deer and other wildlife that frequent these camping areas. One visitor to Mt. Roosevelt Dispersed Camping mentioned, "Very convenient if you are traveling between Teddy Roosevelt National Park and Mt. Rushmore. We pulled in after dark and left as the sun rose. Right outside Deadwood."
Multiple site options: Each dispersed camping area offers several potential spots, allowing campers to find what works for their setup. A visitor to Along Mt Roosevelt Rd noted, "Up the hill are spots for 3 or 4 campers. Partially shaded with nice views and extremely quiet. Pit toilets down the road a bit."
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Most access roads are gravel with varying degrees of maintenance. At Camp 5 Dispersed, a camper warned, "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."
Limited facilities: These free camping areas near Deadwood lack amenities beyond the occasional pit toilet. A Mt. Roosevelt Dispersed Camping visitor observed, "Minimal traffic, about a half dozen or so sites easily accessible, another dozen or so further down you'll need 4x4 for. A few great spots for group RVs."
Fire restrictions: Fire bans are common in this area, especially during dry summer months. A camper at West Nemo shared, "I spent my 14 days here. It is a bit noisy because of the trails used by off-road vehicles. The biggest grass field is sometimes used by multiple RVs."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites closest to the road: For families with young children, the sites nearest the entrance to Mount Roosevelt Road provide easier access. One visitor noted, "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."
Bring all supplies: With no water sources or services at these dispersed sites, families need to pack everything in. A camper at RD 356 advised, "This is a pack in and pack out site with no facilities; no running water, no bathrooms, nothing. Make sure you bring what you need with you."
Set expectations for primitive camping: Kids should understand the lack of facilities before arriving. As one RD 356 visitor mentioned, "My Son and I stayed here while visiting Mount Rushmore and the surrounding area's other attractions. We are planning on staying here again in the future because of it's close proximity to everything and my 6 year old loved it!"
Tips from RVers
Scout before committing: The roads to these dispersed sites can become challenging for larger rigs. A reviewer at Spearfish Quarry advised, "It's just a big parking area, room for a few big rigs. It's close to town, Spearfish is an awesome place, easy drive to much of the northern Black Hills area."
Mind the turn radius: Some roads have tight turns unsuitable for longer vehicles. One RD 356 visitor warned, "I would not recommend venturing too far down in a larger rig as there is somewhat of a tight turn in the road."
Consider the season: Spring can bring mud that makes these roads nearly impassable for heavier vehicles. A camper at Spearfish Quarry reported, "Stayed here after the Sturgis rally. Was very quiet and clean. Most of the time we were here by ourselves. Easy in and easy out of the area."
