Best Dispersed Camping near Lead, SD
Want to go dispersed camping near Lead? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Lead, SD (31)
1. Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite
Deadwood, South Dakota9 Reviews•25 Photos•125 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
2. RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest
Hill City, South Dakota24 Reviews•71 Photos•421 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
3. West Nemo - Dispersed Camping
Nemo, South Dakota7 Reviews•13 Photos•161 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
4. Belle Fourche Reservoir Dispersed Camping
Belle Fourche, South Dakota9 Reviews•42 Photos•68 SavesThe Belle Fourche Dam is a dam on Owl Creek in Butte County, South Dakota, approximately eight miles east of Belle Fourche, South Dakota. Its construction created the Belle Fourche Reservoir, the Belle Fourche National Wildlife Refuge, and the Rocky Point Recreation Area.
The reservoir has approximately eight thousand acres of water surface, 6,700 acres of land, and 58 miles of shoreline. It's stocked with walleye, catfish, and white bass. Average depth is twenty-five feet, but it has areas as deep as sixty feet at full capacity. Common activities at Belle Fourche Reservoir include boating, fishing, ice fishing, ice skating, camping, cooking out, and water skiing.
At its 1911 completion by the Bureau of Reclamation, Belle Fourche Dam was the largest earthen dam in the world. The dam is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1989 it was listed among the approximately 250 Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
5. North Pole Rd Dispersed Camping
Custer, South Dakota24 Reviews•50 Photos•358 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
6. Mt. Roosevelt Dispersed Camping
Deadwood, South Dakota2 Reviews•16 Photos•103 SavesSetting 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.
- Pets
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
8. Along Mt Roosevelt Rd Dispersed Camp
Deadwood, South Dakota1 Review•3 Photos•1 Save- Pets
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
9. Mount Roosevelt Camp
Deadwood, South Dakota1 Review•2 Photos•20 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
10. Spring Creek Road
Hill City, South Dakota7 Reviews•39 Photos•136 Saves- Pets
- RVs
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Lead
119 Reviews of 31 Lead Campgrounds
Connor M.
Guide
RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest
Close to everything, beautiful area
My Son and I stayed here while visiting Mount Rushmore and the surrounding area's other attractions. There's a lot of dispersed spots here but most spots don't have a fire ring that I could see. There's only a few spots that a high clearance vehicle might be required but most of the road can be explored without one.
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.
Weather was great, very mild. Air was fresh and crisp.
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!
Chloe T.Guide
North Pole Rd Dispersed Camping
Not too many sites
We came in one afternoon and there was hardly any sites available. It was beautiful tho!
Louis F.
Scout
Hartman Rock Dispersed Site
Closed in winter
Would have loved to visit but closed in the winter!
- RRyan P.
Traveler
Calumet Rd Dispersed Camping
Lots of neat spots
Lots of neat spots. The roads can be iffy. I would suggest scouting them first before dragging a trailer down them.
- RRyan P.Traveler
Dispersed Camping near Calumet Road
Lots of cool spots if….
Lots of cool spots if you can get to them. Once you leave the gravel the roads are hit and miss. You’re not taking a trailer down most of them if any.
- AAnastasia W.Scout
Camp Bob Marshall Dispersed
Beautiful and remote
Several spots along the Bob Marshall camp road to pull off and camp. We went a bit more off the path by turning right, going up past a water treatment plant and parking near the end of the road. It was secluded and pretty. Lots of coyotes in the area. No camp fires when we were there due to dry conditions. The road after the turn off was in rough shape. I wouldn’t take a trailer up it, but we were in a large SUV and it was just fine. A great place to disperse camp in the state park. We stayed two nights.
Makenzie S.Traveler
Spring Creek Road
Very Quiet Cozy Area
Loved this area, saw many deer near sunset, very peaceful and quiet. Tent camping it was easy to find a site since we didn’t go too far, but if you have an big RV you might need to go further down the road. Otherwise very pretty especially with the creek right next to us.
michael V.GuideNorth Pole Rd Dispersed Camping
Nice and secluded
About 8-10 spots along the road, all flat and plenty of space for whatever you’re camping with. Chances are you’ll be a ways away from other campers. Great spots to get away from the crowded campgrounds.
- TTim K.Traveler
Spring Creek Road
Secluded, quiet, dispersed sites close to lots of Black Hills attractions.
The road in was fairly easy to find and smooth. I drove all the way to the end of the road to check out the sites and turned around and went back to the one I liked the best. There was only one other camper set up down along the stream and the couple there looked comfortable. I chose a nice level turn out that I could drive my pickup and ATV trailer into and was able to drive through the spot so I didn't have to back in or out. It was a very pretty site next to the road and big enough for my 30' rig. It was level enough that it only took one block under one wheel of the ATV trailer I had my roof top tent mounted on. Traffic was light and only about half a dozen vehicles passed my site the evening I was there. No problem with dust from the traffic. There were signs that cattle were in the area but I didn't see any. Probably not a place you would want to spend a lot of time staying at unless you planned to use it as a base for hitting all the tourist spots around Deadwood and Keystone. The main problem is the sites are nearly all too small for more than one camper so if you are traveling with other campers you won't be able to park close together. The sites are fairly far apart, more suitable for lone campers looking for a spot to rest for a night or two. No amenities and cell service was hit or miss but the price was right (free). I would definitely stay here again if I was passing through the area.
Ben H.GuideRD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest
Nice
Camping area near Mount Rushmore. I was able to find a camping area without a problem. The road does have some bumps in it but overall you do not need a four-wheel drive. The spot I camped at I was able to have decent Verizon signal however the area is a bit spotty for Verizon. The area seems to not allow for campfires. Trails nearby. One Trail is gated off and seems to mainly be a horse trail. Some of the camping spots seem to support larger vehicles. Also had a good view.
- SShell L.Traveler
Belle Fourche Dispersed Site
Beautiful Sunrise
Rolled in late night. Woke up to a beautiful sunrise next to the reservoir. Plenty of sites to choose from with vault toilet close enough to walk between sites.
- Ruth T.Traveler
RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest
Great spot
This area seems to be pretty popular as it's close to Mount Rushmore and right off a main road but it's a nice, quiet area. Really enjoyed my stay here.
Road gets a bit rough once you get to the hill. Camp fires are not permitted.
- eellenTraveler
Hartman Rock Dispersed Site
Quiet, dispersed sites
Temps on 90 were in the 90s but up here a great breeze and cool. So peaceful! Our second year here and loving being back!
- TTroy D.Scout
Spring Creek Rd Mine Site Dispersed
Simple overnight stop
I was able to drive to this spot easily in a car for a quick overnight stop. There is a section in the beginning that doesn't allow camping, but once you are farther back in it looks like there are several spots. No campfires. Verizon cellular worked there.
Brenda M.Guide
Roadside Rodeo Dispersed
Roadside Rodeo
Decent spot veside the road. There are several boondocking spots between here and Cook Lake Outhouse is nearby this site on main road Cows are all over this site
- JJames M.Guide
North Pole Rd Dispersed Camping
North Pole Rd Dispersed
The sites are located about 2 miles from the main road at the top of the hill. It is a dusty gravel road in good condition. There are open areas and areas in the scattered pine trees. Great views. The traffic along the road is sparse. You don’t feel crowded but can see some other campers. Great area!
TexasRe D.Traveler
Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite
We went, we saw
We were hauling a 20 ft camper looking to find the pull through spot we saw on the maps. The gravel road was accessible and pretty easy with the camper. We got to our spot just before sunset and only had one neighbor, though we passed a few tenters going up the road. 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. Overall great spot and we’ll worth the short drive of the highway.
- Kelly V.Traveler
Glen Erin Roadside Camp
Nice place to pull over
One-vehicle site, clean, right off the road. You'll pass several private homes getting here but none yiu can see from here. Decent Verizon. Large dry tree trunk piles next to site and across road. Plenty of sky. No shade on vehicle but trees to put a chair under for shade. Quiet. Horse and rider came up behind me in the morning and passed around me without even looking at me.
- NNitaScout
Belle Fourche Dispersed Site
Free and lovely
I just needed a place to stop and car camp. I was going to stay at a campground I. Belle Fourch but after a little exploring I found a great private spot in Free Dispersed area but the site were furnished with a fire ring and table and a great view of a beautiful lake. Slept like a baby!
- Kelly V.Traveler
Camp Bob Marshall Dispersed
Gate locked
However, there is a spot on outlaw ranch rd you see before outlaw ranch road the gps takes you to that is nice and enough back for more privacy. Others know of it too, and 2 more cars tried to pull in after dark. I turned on a light and they were cool about backing out. Sorry to be unable to be more specific, want to say this spot really nice.
- NNathan K.Scout
North Pole Rd Dispersed Camping
good for family
I value the work you put into sharing your knowledge slope run
Kevin H.
Legend
Belle Fourche Reservoir Dispersed Camping
Nice, spacious spots Shady or open
Initial road in is seriously corrugated- just drive slowly until you turn off to side road.
Different roads if loop provided easy access. We bought out 30” 5th in without problems, and our (distant) neighbors were a class A with trailer
Random pit-toilets, but not much else
Lake is low, shore is mud
Nice with breeze most days we were there
- EErin G.Guide
Sand Creek Public Access West Oxbow Dispersed Camping
Good views, good cell service, not crowfed
There are 4 different sites in the area, with each accommodating multiple vehicles. Access to the local creek. Sort of difficult to find a level spot but we made it work. We fit comfortably in a truck camper but I wouldn't go too much bigger here. Good Verizon service!
The Wandering Shores ..GuideBelle Fourche Reservoir Dispersed Camping
Amazing Waterfront Spots
We visited the area in July 2024, it was the holiday week so it was busy, but still had some open spots. If you can't find a spot on the main peninsula there are still lots of other choices.
We did a campsite video review and if you want the direct link https://youtu.be/5cFjZbQstU4
- CClaude K.Traveler
North Pole Rd Dispersed Camping
Nice place for a quick overnight
Pretty area with several sites. Quite busy when we went but we did find a spot. No amenities but very quiet and easy to access. No bugs.
Elise V.TravelerNorth Pole Rd Dispersed Camping
Nice Spot!
Nice sites with campfire rings. Enjoyed the sunset. Nothing super fancy about this place but a nice location and flat sites!
- SStephanie W.Guide
Belle Fourche Reservoir Dispersed Camping
Good for an overnight and nice view
I stayed for just one night and it was perfect for that. I had no issue finding a spot, as there are so many around the reservoir! They are spaced out, but not many trees for privacy. The “beach” is very muddy so you can’t really get in the water. The bugs were bad in the evenings, but nothing I couldn’t handle. The sunset was gorgeous on the water.
Guide to Lead
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Lead, South Dakota, where nature meets tranquility. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
Scenic Views at Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite for Dispersed Campers
- Enjoy breathtaking views while camping at this well-reviewed site, which is conveniently located near the Roosevelt Friendship Tower hike.
- The area offers a peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for stargazing and unwinding after a day of exploration.
- With easy access for vehicles, you can find a suitable spot to set up camp without hassle.
Outdoor Adventures While Free Camping Near Lead
- The West Nemo - Dispersed Camping area provides ample opportunities for hiking and wildlife watching, with trails leading to beautiful vistas.
- Campers can enjoy the thrill of off-road vehicle trails nearby, making it a great base for adventure seekers.
- The proximity to the town of Nemo allows for quick access to local amenities while still enjoying the serenity of nature.
Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Lead, South Dakota
- When visiting Spearfish Quarry, be sure to arrive early to secure a good spot, especially during peak seasons.
- Always practice Leave No Trace principles to maintain the natural beauty of the area and ensure a pleasant experience for future campers.
- Keep in mind that many dispersed sites, like Mt. Roosevelt Dispersed Camping, do not have amenities, so come prepared with all necessary supplies, including water and waste disposal options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Lead, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Lead, SD is Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite with a 4.8-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Lead, SD?
TheDyrt.com has all 31 dispersed camping locations near Lead, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.