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Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Deadwood, SD

1,488 Reviews

Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite offers multiple pull-off camping areas that welcome pets along Mount Roosevelt Road near Deadwood. These free dispersed sites provide tent camping opportunities for dog owners without requiring permits. The road is easily accessible from the CanAm Highway side of the mountain and puts campers within walking distance of the Roosevelt Friendship Tower hiking trail. Other pet-friendly options include Deadwood KOA, which provides full hookup RV sites, tent sites, and cabins where pets are welcome. Several campgrounds in the area feature amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and trash disposal while allowing dogs. Some traffic occurs on Mount Roosevelt Road during the day, but the area remains quiet at night. Several sites near Deadwood, South Dakota are featured on The Dyrt.

The dispersed camping locations along Mount Roosevelt Road serve as an excellent base for visiting Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish Canyon, and Devils Tower with pets. Dogs can explore the surrounding wooded areas while staying at these primitive sites. Visitors with pets should note that all dispersed camping requires packing out waste and following leave-no-trace principles. For those preferring established campgrounds, Whistler Gulch Campground and Wild Bill's Campground both allow pets and provide amenities including showers, toilets, and hookups. The Deadwood KOA offers a trolley service to downtown Deadwood for $1 each way, making it convenient for pet owners to visit town while camping. High clearance vehicles are not necessary for accessing the Mount Roosevelt dispersed sites, though some washboard sections exist on the gravel road leading to the camping areas.

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Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Deadwood, South Dakota (183)

    1. Spearfish City Campground

    40 Reviews
    Spearfish, SD
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 642-1340

    "We picked a site near the back of the camp grounds located near the creek and close to a small parking lot (close by to the pet exercise area on the map - though it's labelled as an ice rink on grounds"

    "The area is beautiful and there is a creek that runs around edges and the fish hatchery to tour across the street. "

    2. Chris' Campground

    17 Reviews
    Spearfish, SD
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 642-2239

    $23 - $65 / night

    "They have 3 heated pools, a basketball court, recreation room, playground, & petting zoo for the kids, as well as a camp store, laundry facility, free WiFi and fire pits."

    "The owners are very helpful and friendly, The campground is close to lots of great activities such as Spearfish Canyon, as well as Deadwood and Lead."

    3. Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite

    11 Reviews
    Deadwood, SD
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 673-9200

    "It was so peaceful and relaxing, yet only minutes from Deadwood. We truly enjoyed our stay, the views, and the wildlife!"

    "The road is easy to drive if coming off the CanAm Hwy side of the mountain. Walking distance to the Roosevelt Friendship Tower hike which is highly recommended."

    4. Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins

    10 Reviews
    Spearfish, SD
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 722-1800

    "Easy access off I-90 and super close to Spearfish, Deadwood, Lead and all this area of South Dakota has to offer."

    "The park was easy to get to though our RV GPS wanted to take us up to I-90 and back around versus just taking a left across US-85 into the campground (CG). Check in was easy and informative."

    5. Deadwood KOA

    9 Reviews
    Lead, SD
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 578-3830

    "It's a pretty small campground down the road from deadwood. You can take the bus into deadwood."

    "Our initially reserved campground nearby was sketchy, so we called KOA Deadwood at 4:30 hoping for a last minute reservation (even though the app said they were full)."

    6. Wild Bill's Campground

    10 Reviews
    Lead, SD
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 578-2800

    $28 - $160 / night

    "This little camp is not mentioned in the Deadwood promotional booklet and that's just fine with us! It was not crowded, but busy."

    "Easy to find, very close to Deadwood, clean showers and bathrooms and it has a bar a grill! Bar and grill was so good and I’m still dreaming about that burger."

    7. Days End Campground

    13 Reviews
    Sturgis, SD
    10 miles
    +1 (605) 347-2331

    $20 - $800 / night

    "It has a beer garden, restroom facilities and it's right on the outskirts of town."

    "Helpful convenient right next to freeway so noisy all else is great!"

    8. Whistler Gulch Campground & RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Deadwood, SD
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (605) 578-2092

    "Location is quiet. There is a place to walk dogs. Deadwood trolley comes right to the CG to transport you downtown."

    "They are really close to town, so it’s really convenient. We have a larger side by side, so when I called they made sure that we would have a spot to fit that too."

    9. Hanna Campground

    9 Reviews
    Lead, SD
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 673-9200

    "Small, but has 3 shaded sites next to the creek (1,2,3). Nice 1.1 mile hike that starts next to Host site. If you just tent camp, there are about 5 sites off by themselves with a vault toilet."

    "Great little spot nestled in the woods next to a small stream. Quiet road that is part dirt at times. Would highly recommend"

    10. Wickiup Village Cabins

    7 Reviews
    Lead, SD
    9 miles
    Website

    $146 - $285 / night

    "great quiet cabins great location to see all kinds of beautiful sights.. great rides to get to your destination. Great friendly staff . love the creek that flows thru the campgrounds"

    "You've shared a very useful and entertaining blog post with the public mapquest driving directions"

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Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Deadwood, SD

106 Photos of 183 Deadwood Campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Deadwood, SD

1488 Reviews of 183 Deadwood Campgrounds

  • A
    Jun. 27, 2022

    Wild Bill's Campground

    Hidden gem near Deadwood

    This little camp is not mentioned in the Deadwood promotional booklet and that's just fine with us! It was not crowded, but busy. Nestled between 2 streams and the tall pines of the Black Hills, we stayed 3 nights with our 3 dogs. It has everything you need, though the 50 amp sites are back-in, not pull thru. The bar and grill is popular with local ATVers and serves great hamburgers and a good selection of craft beers.

    They also sell wood for campfires at a reasonable cost.

    Our dogs loved the long walks around the campground, crossing over the creeks on the little bridges. There is an off leash dog park 10 minutes away in Lead, SD. Not ADA compliant, built on a steep hill with no paved walkway or stairs or hand rails, but the dogs loved it.

    The wifi is iffy and the cell phone service is spotty at best, so bring DVDs to watch when you are not out enjoying the sites and activities.

    15 minutes from Deadwood and Lead, 1 hour from Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial (a must see!).

  • Wendy
    Aug. 31, 2020

    Chris' Campground

    quiet place, but a few fyi's

    They advertise that they have Wi-Fi but it's almost like they shut it off at 10 o'clock at night when quiet time starts which is a great time for looking up directions or places to see, we could never connect for long and streaming- which means no Netflix its against the rules(which we never saw only overheard). They allow fires but make sure you get a metal ring because it's illegal to have a fire in south Dakota if you don't have one they have them but they don't leave them at the sites or let you know they are available. Also no petting zoo we specifically came here thinking they had one because they advertised and after we arrived they informed us it was turned into a dog park i have no pictures but there's not much to see here

  • Steven M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 24, 2021

    Deadwood KOA

    Nice place to camp

    Overall it was a good experience. It's a pretty small campground down the road from deadwood. You can take the bus into deadwood.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 20, 2025

    Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins

    A True Resort

    We wanted to spend a couple of days in the Black Hills and also needed full hookups and laundry after about a week of boondocking - Elk Horn Ridge gave us that and more. Easy access off I-90 and super close to Spearfish, Deadwood, Lead and all this area of South Dakota has to offer. The campground is a true resort with concrete pad sites with modern full hookup connections, beautifully landscaped grounds overlooking the Frawley Ranch, and a wonderful pool, a pool-side bar, dog park, basketball and pickleball courts, coffee bar and laundry. Our rig was a dirty mess from the boondocking and Elk Horn Ridge even has local mobile companies that come to your site and clean your rig. Ours was cleaned while we hiked the Spearfish Canyon!Loved our time here and special kudos to Ellee and Jordan for their welcome at check in and drinks after dinner!

  • Clint M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2023

    Blackhills NF Dispersed Site

    Not open when I stopped over Labor Day

    Fenced off when I was there.  Little green "bridge" but I don't think this was intended for people to access.  Worth checking out if you're on your way to/from Deadwood but I wouldn't bank on it.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2022

    Spearfish KOA

    One of the Nicer KOAs

    The KOA was very easy to find right off I 90 and US 85. Check-in was quick and easy and we were guided to pull in site 65 with FHUs. The utilities are smartly placed in the middle of the pad. Our pad was plenty long enough for our 39 fifth wheel and F450 truck. The staff was super nice and helpful and the campground(CG) was well-maintained. We used their laundry room with 6 washers and 6 dryers for$2 a wash and$2 to dry. A bonus was that the dryers actually dried the clothes in 30 minutes. We were right across from their small fenced dog park. We were also close to the 7.5-mile nature trail entrance from the park to the river, which was great for walking our dogs. The CG has curbside trash pick-up plus firewood& ice for sale. The WiFi was above average for a park this size. We got two bars on Verizon. There are trees in the CG, but not enough to prevent you from getting a satellite shot into the sky. Guests with dogs here do not pick up after their dogs in the dog park and especially along the back side of the CG where we were staying. We saw dog poops all over the place and witnessed several times out our back window, and in the dog park, people not picking up after their dogs. The CG doesn't seem to enforce picking up after your pet. There is a lot to see and do in the area. As we were here in October, the leaves were changing in Spearfish Canyon and we enjoyed a really nice leaf peeper drive, and then visited Deadwood, which was having its Octoberfest.

  • Misty B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 24, 2023

    Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite

    Beautiful and peaceful

    We stayed here 1 night on a road trip. It was a Saturday afternoon when we arrived and a lot of the spots were taken, however we found an area to pull off the road that was perfect for our tent! It was so peaceful and relaxing, yet only minutes from Deadwood. We truly enjoyed our stay, the views, and the wildlife!

  • Kristi D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2023

    Custer Crazy Horse Campground & Cabin 13 Coffee Shop

    Convenient!

    Lovely staff, great amenities (laundry room , pool which people were utilizing, coffee shop, pool stable and a small store inside. It's convenient to Custer State Park, Crazy Horse and Mt Rushmore. We came from Deadwood, which is a little over an hour away.

    This campground is a little packed together compared to what we usually go with but everyone keeps to themselves....we booked last minute and they happened to have a spot available, so we took it as we wanted to check our local tourist sites and are headed to Badlands next.

  • B
    Sep. 4, 2021

    Heartland RV Park And Cabins

    Tidy, Clean, Friendly, Attractions

    This is a great place to stay. Not far from Rapid City but close to all the attractions in South Dakota. The heated pool was NOT heated and the hot tub was NOT hot. That is why I gave the CG four stars. I was really looking forward to using them. Also, both seemed overloaded with chemicals. I have owned lots of pools with blue colored bottoms, but these looked like there was “Ty-d-bowl” added. Brilliant, stark blue. I just don’t believe it can be just the basic treatment. See what you think. ???The laundry areas (3 of them) were clean and tidy, too. $2.00 for each, but 45 minutes on the dryer, so that’s fair. 😀 Our spot was a bit difficult for us to level our rig on because the rocks kept slipping. We had to go purchase extra Xchocks. There is a nice store for basic needs, and alcohol, and an event schedule for evening entertainment. The event center serves wings (no celery or carrot sticks), pizza, etc. There is a playground for kids and they said a dog park. —-I did find a big area there, but no fence around it. ???

Guide to Deadwood

Mount Roosevelt Road near Deadwood features multiple dispersed camping sites located in the Black Hills at approximately 5,300 feet elevation. The gravel road runs through pine forest with several pull-offs suitable for tent camping and small to medium-sized RVs. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F with cooler nights even in July and August. Wildlife sightings commonly include deer and wild turkeys, especially at dawn and dusk.

What to do

Visit Roosevelt Friendship Tower hike: The trailhead is accessible directly from the Mount Roosevelt dispersed camping areas and offers panoramic views. "The trail led to a cool tower that we climbed to watch the sunset. Overall great spot and we'll worth the short drive of the highway," reports TexasRed from Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite.

Explore Spearfish Canyon: Located about 25 minutes from Deadwood, the canyon offers beautiful hiking trails and fishing opportunities. "Spend a day driving Spearfish canyon and hiking to waterfalls," recommends Glenda from Spearfish City Campground. The canyon features Roughlock Falls and various trails suitable for all skill levels.

Take the Deadwood Trolley: Access public transportation from several pet-friendly campgrounds. "The trolley to town runs on the hour, it cost $1. Best deal in town," says Brian W. who stayed at Deadwood KOA. This provides an economical way to visit historic downtown without parking concerns.

What campers like

Quiet evenings in wooded settings: Many campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere away from town. "Pretty quiet area. Spots are spread out so you have privacy. Only maybe 6 spots before the road gets bad so pick one of those BEFORE you come to a fork in the road," advises Olivia E. about Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite.

Creek access at certain campgrounds: Water features provide cooling recreation during summer. "The stream running through the campground is crystal clear and the kids loved playing in it," shares Joe W. from Spearfish City Campground. These waterways often run cold even in summer months.

Dog-friendly accommodations: Numerous campgrounds welcome pets with designated areas. "We have a larger side by side, so when I called they made sure that we would have a spot to fit that too," mentions Danae P. about Whistler Gulch Campground. The campground provides several dog-friendly sites but requires leashes.

What you should know

Road conditions vary: Some dispersed camping areas require careful navigation. "Road was in good shape. Lots of deer and wild life so watch out. Nice views but not that many spots before the super bumpy road about a mile in so we didn't go further," notes Tuyet R. about Mount Roosevelt Road.

Cell service limitations: Coverage varies throughout the area. "We have T mobile and we got 2 bars," reports Tuyet R. about Mount Roosevelt. Verizon typically offers better coverage in the Black Hills region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Deadwood, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Deadwood, SD is Spearfish City Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 40 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Deadwood, SD?

TheDyrt.com has all 183 dog-friendly camping locations near Deadwood, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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