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Several dispersed camping areas surround Nemo in the Black Hills National Forest, with West Nemo being one of the more accessible options. Most sites feature no amenities - no toilets, drinking water, or trash service. Campers must pack out all waste and bring necessary supplies. The standard Forest Service 14-day stay limit applies, though reviews suggest enforcement is minimal outside busy periods.
Roads accessing these primitive sites vary in quality, with many requiring high-clearance vehicles. A review noted that West Nemo has "other dispersed camping sites along the way as well" but "a high clearance vehicle will most likely be needed." The terrain typically consists of open fields and forested areas. Calumet Road and Balsar Gulch offer additional dispersed options, with Balsar Gulch featuring a creek for water filtration. A camper described Balsar Gulch as having "a big and relatively flat" site with "a creek passing by the edge of the open area."
"A perfect location. Plenty of spots on the bumpy main road, use 4wd/high clearance vehicles to go off some of the side routes for more privacy. Nice tree covered spots and very quiet."
"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."
"This spot is at the end of a forest road that runs west of Nemo, SD. There are other dispersed camping sites along the way as well."
"I spent my 14 days here. It is a bit noisy because of the trails used by off-road vehicles."
"We had a 4WD truck with rooftop tent. High clearance is not necessary for road."
"Strongly recommend access from the north entrance via US Hwy 85 which is a MUCH smoother dirt road. Multiple flat parking places in this spot, so good for tents and trailers."
"There were spots that were pretty rutted and rough, it was dry and we made it in easily but if it has recently rained I can see it being pretty difficult."
"Spots have good distance from each other. Probably best for car/tent camping"
"We camped at this site based on location and wanting a dispersed site. Easy access and other sites available. We were the only ones there and it was so relaxing."
"This site is big and relatively flat. There are three other dispersed campers here while I write this. There’s enough space where our spot still feels private."
"There are a few dispersed camping spots along this road which also holds the trailhead for Mt. Roosevelt Friendship Tower."
"Close to Deadwood. Very private. Lots of space. Outhouse at close trailhead."
"We were in a camper van and the road wasn’t bad, we didn’t need 4WD. There were a few other cars that went by that were camping too, but it was very quiet and peaceful other than that."
"Calm ur road itself is gravel but then you can diverge on one of the forest service roads. We went down a few of them until we found our spot."
"It was amazing and beautiful but no cell service Very close to everything, about a 30 minute drive from Mount Rushmore. Road is rocky but flat in some spots. Lots of trails so can be noisy of ATV."
"The dyrt app took me to a spot where there was supposed to be a road and there was nothing so I retrace my steps to a road that I had passed sometime back and I found a nice spot."
Guide15 minutes to Custer State Park and 15 minutes to breweries in hill city. A perfect location. Plenty of spots on the bumpy main road, use 4wd/high clearance vehicles to go off some of the side routes for more privacy. Nice tree covered spots and very quiet. No campfires allowed.
RangerThis spot is at the end of a forest road that runs west of Nemo, SD. There are other dispersed camping sites along the way as well. This spot butts up right next to a cliff with the Boxelder Creek running below and gives good views of the Black Hills to the south. No amenities at all here. A high clearance vehicle will most likely be needed to get back to this spot.
GuideMy 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!
TravelerWell-kept road, several spots to park and camp. Some beautiful spots overlooking Deadwood. 5-10 minutes from town. We had a 4WD truck with rooftop tent. High clearance is not necessary for road.
ScoutWas easy to drive in. The road wasn’t too rough. Got there in the dark was able to find a spot, can be hard to see the turn off to the sites at night. Didn’t see many places I would want to pull a camper into but great for ground tents, rooftop tents and camper vans.
ScoutStayed here after the Sturgis rally. Was very quiet and clean. Most of the time we were here by ourselves. There is an OHV trail just outside the quarry border, but wasn't used very much. Had just a few people come and stayed the night. Would definitely stay here again. Easy in and easy out of the area. Saw some deer and a lot of cows. It was free with a 14 day stay limit. Close to town, restaurants, gas stations, etc.
GuideWe were in a camper van and the road wasn’t bad, we didn’t need 4WD. There were a few other cars that went by that were camping too, but it was very quiet and peaceful other than that. There were a lot of places to pull off that were flat for a tent or camper, I’d definitely recommend!
LegendThere are a few dispersed camping spots along this road which also holds the trailhead for Mt. Roosevelt Friendship Tower. There was one pull through site that has no campfire signs and then two or three other spots. We seemed to be lucky and got the last open spot. We got here around 4 pm. The site we got was beautiful and had a lot of room for us to pitch a tent. Plenty of trees to go pee in but also an open spot where we could stargaze through the tent. There was some traffic on the road, more than you would think for such a windy gravel road. 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. Enough Verizon cell service to text and make calls. Enough AT&T service to get WiFi on our SubaruLink. No water that we saw that we could use or filter. Had some people pull into our spot at different times not knowing it was taken. 9:30 pm was the last one.
GuideWe drove down this road and found a nice area to sleep for a night. The road to get in was very rocky and steep! We decided to go out a different way and it was even worse then the way in. Luckily our promaster van was able to get us out safely. I definitely recommend a high clearance vehicle for this road.
Dispersed camping areas near Nemo, South Dakota offer primitive backcountry experiences in the heart of the Black Hills National Forest. Most rustic sites sit between 4,500-5,000 feet elevation, creating distinct temperature variations between day and night even in summer months. The terrain throughout the Nemo area features a mix of pine forest and occasional meadows with underlying limestone and granite formations.
Creek exploration: Balsar Gulch Dispersed Camping offers a natural water source perfect for cooling off. One camper noted, "There is a creek passing by the edge of the open area," making it ideal for water filtration and wildlife watching.
Visit Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower: Just a short drive from rustic camping sites near Nemo, this historic tower provides excellent views. A visitor at Mt. Roosevelt Dispersed Camping mentioned, "The site we got was beautiful and had a lot of room for us to pitch a tent. Plenty of trees to go pee in but also an open spot where we could stargaze through the tent."
Wildlife viewing: The forested areas around Nemo host diverse wildlife. A camper observed, "Wildlife is everywhere big and small," making early morning or dusk prime times for animal spotting.
Privacy and space: The dispersed sites provide good separation between campers. At North Pole Rd Dispersed Camping, one reviewer appreciated that "There are other people but far enough away that you don't feel crowded. Also got to listen to some coyotes in the distance."
Central location: The camping areas provide convenient access to regional attractions. A camper at RD 356 Dispersed Site commented, "Perfect location for exploring the Black Hills, Custer State Park, Wind Cave NP, Mt. Rushmore, and Jewel Cave NM. Spacious sites."
Night sky viewing: The remote nature of these sites offers exceptional stargazing opportunities. One visitor noted, "Air was fresh and crisp," with minimal light pollution compared to developed campgrounds.
Vehicle requirements vary by site: Access roads can deteriorate quickly with weather. At Calumet Rd Dispersed Camping, a camper warned, "The side roads can be tricky to navigate even with AWD... However, the main road was well maintained."
Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations can be significant. One camper observed, "Be prepared for some snow, even in late May," requiring layers and proper sleeping gear even during summer months.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically by location. A reviewer reported, "Enough Verizon cell service to text and make calls. Enough AT&T service to get WiFi on our SubaruLink," while others found no service at all.
Accessibility considerations: Some areas are more family-friendly than others. A parent at RD 356 Dispersed Site shared, "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!"
Safety awareness: Not all areas are equally suitable for children. One camper cautioned, "NOT A PLACE FOR CHILDREN. It would be very easy getting lost or hurt," highlighting the importance of choosing sites carefully.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for possible wildlife sightings. A camper mentioned, "Cows visited on the last day!" which can be exciting for kids while requiring proper wildlife distance protocols.
Site selection timing: During peak seasons, arrive early to secure suitable spots. An RVer advised, "We got to the campsite pretty late (8pm) and we were able to find an empty site just by going down the road a bit. If we got there earlier, we probably would have had a better pick."
Length limitations: Many roads narrow quickly after the main entrance. One RVer at Dispersed Camping near Calumet Road warned, "You're not taking a trailer down most of them if any," suggesting scouting roads before bringing larger rigs.
Leveling challenges: The terrain can create difficulties for parking. A camper observed, "This spot is very secluded. The main road was well maintained. However, the side roads can be tricky to navigate even with AWD," requiring leveling blocks and careful positioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Nemo, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Nemo, SD is RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest with a 4.8-star rating from 32 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Nemo, SD?
TheDyrt.com has all 38 dispersed camping locations near Nemo, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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