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Best Dispersed Camping near Nemo, SD

172 Reviews

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."

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Nemo, South Dakota (38)

    1. RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest

    33 Reviews
    Hill City, SD
    20 miles
    Website

    "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."

    2. West Nemo - Dispersed Camping

    7 Reviews
    Nemo, SD
    1 mile

    "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."

    3. Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite

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

    "We had a 4WD truck with rooftop tent. High clearance is not necessary for road."

    "Maybe 3 spots.. one has hard slant.. no campfire signs all over.. not far to Roosevelt tower.. beautiful views.."

    4. Bogus Jim Creek Campsite

    1 Review
    Nemo, SD
    5 miles

    5. Dispersed Camping near Calumet Road

    8 Reviews
    Keystone, SD
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 673-9200

    "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."

    6. Calumet Rd Dispersed Camping

    8 Reviews
    Keystone, SD
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 673-9200

    "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"

    7. Balsar Gulch Dispersed Camping

    4 Reviews
    Keystone, SD
    15 miles

    "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."

    8. Blackhills NF Dispersed Site

    2 Reviews
    Nemo, SD
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 343-1567

    9. Mt. Roosevelt Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Deadwood, SD
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 673-9200

    "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."

    10. North Pole Rd Dispersed Camping

    34 Reviews
    Custer, SD
    32 miles
    Website

    "Black Hills can be hard to find cheap or free camping during busy season. Great free camp down a gravel/dirt road with cows on both sides and one in the road (it moved eventually)."

    "We've been fulltiming since January and this was the first place we actually stayed the whole 14 day limit."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Nemo, SD

103 Photos of 38 Nemo Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Nemo, SD

172 Reviews of 38 Nemo Campgrounds

  • Lynsey M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest

    Quiet and tree covered

    15 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.

  • Jim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2020

    West Nemo - Dispersed Camping

    Nice place to camp for the night

    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. 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.

  • Connor M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 30, 2024

    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!

  • Molly G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 9, 2023

    Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite

    Great spot

    Well-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.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 23, 2023

    Spring Creek Road

    Great spot

    Was 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.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2023

    Dispersed Camping near Calumet Road

    Quiet, many spots to camp

    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. There were a lot of places to pull off that were flat for a tent or camper, I’d definitely recommend!

  • Veronica S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 24, 2022

    Mt. Roosevelt Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful and serene

    There 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.

  • vicki
    Nov. 22, 2021

    RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest

    Beautiful but scary road!

    We 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.

  • Patrick N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2022

    West Nemo - Dispersed Camping

    Lots of room

    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 and locals said don't even think of coming here during Sturgis' motorcycle rally. Right over the hill is the little town of Nemo which has a camping resort. All that folks spill out into this dispersed space with their ATVs and such. Mostly didn't bother me and I was here with two locals who leave their trailers here for lengthy amounts of time. Rangers apparently don't enforce the 14 days unless you cause a problem.

Guide to Nemo

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Nemo, South Dakota, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, this area is perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.

Dispersed campers should check out RD 356 Dispersed Site

  • Located near Mount Rushmore, the RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest offers a peaceful atmosphere with stunning views, making it a favorite among campers.
  • The access road is manageable for most vehicles, although some spots may require a bit of caution, especially for smaller cars.
  • Campers have reported decent cell service, which can be a plus for those wanting to stay connected while enjoying the great outdoors.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Nemo, South Dakota

  • When visiting Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite, be sure to arrive early to secure a good spot, as it can get busy during peak times.
  • The area is known for its proximity to hiking trails, including the Roosevelt Friendship Tower hike, which offers breathtaking views and is just a short walk from the camping area.
  • Keep in mind that campfires are not allowed in many dispersed sites, so plan your cooking methods accordingly.

Spring Creek Road for dispersed campers

  • The Spring Creek Road area is perfect for those looking for a quiet and cozy camping experience, with beautiful scenery and the chance to see wildlife like deer.
  • This location is ideal for tent camping, but larger RVs may need to venture further down the road to find suitable spots.
  • Campers have noted the peaceful ambiance, especially during sunset, making it a great place for relaxation and stargazing.

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 33 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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