Best Dispersed Camping near Deadwood, SD
Dispersed camping is concentrated along Mount Roosevelt Road near Deadwood, South Dakota, with multiple primitive sites on Forest Service land. The road provides access to several pull-off camping areas, with most sites located within minutes of Deadwood. Mount Roosevelt Dispersed Camping areas feature no amenities and operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with sites spread along the road leading to Roosevelt Friendship Tower. Additional dispersed camping can be found at Camp 5 and Spearfish Quarry, both providing primitive camping options in the Black Hills National Forest.
The Mount Roosevelt Road contains several dispersed sites accessible by most vehicles, though some areas may require higher clearance. The gravel road has washboard sections and can be rough in places, particularly beyond the fork where conditions deteriorate. No drinking water, toilets, or hookups are available at these sites, though pit toilets can be found at the Roosevelt Friendship Tower trailhead. Most sites permit pets and alcohol, but fire restrictions are common. Campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Several sites in the region operate under a 14-day stay limit.
Campers praise the area for its combination of solitude and proximity to Black Hills attractions. Most sites offer views of Deadwood or surrounding forests, with wildlife sightings common. The Mount Roosevelt Road sites provide cell service for most carriers, making them practical for remote workers. "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," one visitor noted. Another camper described the experience as "peaceful and relaxing, yet only minutes from Deadwood." Camp 5 Dispersed camping is located in an OHV area, which "can get busy" and may experience noise from recreational vehicles.
