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Dispersed Camping near Spearfish, SD

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    Mount Roosevelt Road offers multiple free dispersed camping opportunities within minutes of Deadwood and Spearfish. The gravel road is generally accessible to most vehicles along the first mile, with about six established sites before the terrain becomes more challenging. Several pull-offs provide views overlooking Deadwood, with the largest sites accommodating groups or larger rigs. A vault toilet is available at the Roosevelt Friendship Tower trailhead near the entrance.

    The dispersed sites along Mt. Roosevelt Road feature 14-day stay limits with no amenities beyond the trailhead toilet. Most campsites are located at pull-offs along the road, offering varying degrees of privacy among the trees. Verizon and T-Mobile users report adequate cell service throughout the area. A camper noted, "Road was in good shape. Lots of deer and wildlife so watch out." Another option is Spearfish Quarry, described as "a big parking area with room for a few big rigs" that provides easy access to town while remaining quiet and secluded.

    Best Dispersed Campgrounds near Spearfish (31)

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      1. Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite

      4.7(18)8mi from SpearfishTents

      "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."

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      2. Spearfish Quarry

      4.1(9)6mi from Spearfish

      "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. "

      "Go about 1/4 mile past the Google Maps location. I camped in the gravel area near the trailhead. Nobody else around."

      3. Mt. Roosevelt Dispersed Camping

      4.8(6)9mi from SpearfishRVs, Tents

      "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."

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      4. Along Mt Roosevelt Rd Dispersed Camp

      5.0(3)9mi from SpearfishRVs, Tents

      "Partially shaded with nice views and extremely quiet. Pit toilets down the road a bit."

      "Flat, just off the road, dry, among trees, lovely view. Other campers around but still peaceful & private enough."

      5. Camp 5 Dispersed

      4.0(5)12mi from SpearfishRVs, Tents

      "Immediately after you get off of hwy 14A and turn onto Camp 5 Road, there is a steep gravel and rocky hill."

      "Early on the road is very well groomed and easily accessible. There were a spots that looked really nice with people already set up so I continued in."

      6. Belle Fourche Dispersed Site

      4.6(8)17mi from SpearfishRVs, Tents

      "I just needed a place to stop and car camp. I was going to stay at a campground I."

      "This is a great boondocking location. Found a place close to the water and a few trees(trees are sparse). Plenty of room for our trailer and our friends to join us."

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      7. Mount Roosevelt Road

      5.0(2)9mi from Spearfish

      "Lots of dispersed sites, some sites are quite large. Fairly level areas. Gorgeous view from our site."

      8. Mount Roosevelt Camp

      4.5(2)8mi from SpearfishTents

      "Just a turn off the main road along a crest gave me a few days of great views. Not much traffic either."

      9. Sand Creek Public Access West Oxbow Dispersed Camping

      4.6(5)14mi from SpearfishRVs, Tents

      "There is a pit toilet at each and several places where others have made fire rings out of rocks.  The sand creek has plenty of fish to try your luck at."

      "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!"

      10. Long Draw Road

      5.0(1)17mi from Spearfish

      "The drive to the campsite was mostly on a paved road then on a regular gravel road. Could fit 3-4 vehicles plus at least one tent spot. A couple deer encounters since it’s close to the creek too."

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    Dispersed Camping Reviews near Spearfish, SD

    203 Reviews of 31 Spearfish Campgrounds

    • jThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 21, 2026

      Camp 5 Dispersed

      Excellent laye season stay! Early on the road is very well groomed and easily accessible. There were a spots that looked really nice with people already set up so I continued in. There are plenty of spots leading all the way back until the road dead ends into trails. Which also has a nice little turn out at the very end big enough for a small site. Though the road does have some pretty rough spots and some steep ledges in areas youll have to traverse past to get to more spots. Recommend good clearance and no rigs as you get deeper in.

    • NThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 17, 2026

      Spearfish Quarry

      Surrounded by forest

      This is a nice, quiet spot. There are technically only 4 spots to camp, as you are not supposed to camp down in the big open area by the trailhead. The spots are on the smaller side so large RVs would have a hard time fitting.

    • J W.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 28, 2026

      Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite

      Nice peaceful spot

      There's not many spots that I saw and if u turn down the wrong road God help your tires. Other than that very nice. Great views of the valley below. Not tons of traffic.

    • William M.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 26, 2026

      Hartman Rock Dispersed Site

      Excellent views

      Found a beautiful site if the paved road to the left. Amazing view down into the valley. Occasional visits from cattle, fall colors in the birch trees, and breathtaking night skies are making this one of my favorite boondocking locations. Sundance is only a fifteen minute drive away, so resupply is no problem. Definitely a place I'll return to

    • Matt G.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 22, 2026

      Needles Highway Dispersed Site

      Good spot close to alot

      Lower and upper sites, the lower is small. Roads not to bad, few nice places up top. Can get texts if you walk higher the better it gets.

    • Chris M.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 14, 2026

      Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite

      Mt Roosevelt Dispersed

      Great little spot with amazing views. Short walk to Friendship Tower and watched sunset. Only saw 3 cars pass on rd. Got here on Sunday afternoon late and had no trouble locating spots. There are more down the road but this was perfect. There are 2 other spots within sight of here but no one there.

    • JThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 7, 2026

      Storm Hill BLM Land Dispersed Site

      Fantastic

      Very nice view of the tower just 50ft walk from my truck. Enough space to park several overland rigs.

    • BThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 5, 2026

      Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite

      Nice spot

      There are 3 spots at this specific location. There are more spots further down the road. We stayed here 10 days while exploring Deadwood, Spearfish, Lead, and Sturgis. I gave this spot 4 stars instead 5 for the following reasons:

      1. The gravel road is narrow with some very tight blind curves, which was a little sketch in our 32ft RV.
      2. Over the course of our stay, several people really tried to encroach on our space driving right up to our RV. Rude.

    Guide to Spearfish

    Mount Roosevelt Road provides rustic camping near Spearfish, South Dakota, situated in the northern Black Hills at elevations ranging from 4,500 to 5,000 feet. The area offers primitive camping options within a 15-minute drive of both Deadwood and Spearfish. The camping season typically runs from May through October, with occasional snow possible in spring and fall months.

    What to do

    Hike to Roosevelt Friendship Tower: Access the trailhead near the entrance of Mt. Roosevelt Road for a short hike with panoramic views. "Had an amazing time at this prime free dispersed campsite! Had my tundra equipped with a 5x8 trailer and could easily get to any of the sites... make sure to hit the hike to the tower and overlook!" notes Bruce S. at Mount Roosevelt Dispersed Camping.

    Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening hours offer the best wildlife spotting opportunities along the roads and trails. "We truly enjoyed our stay, the views, and the wildlife!" shares Misty B. at Mount Roosevelt Dispersed Camping.

    Fishing at Belle Fourche Reservoir: Drive 30 minutes north for fishing opportunities. "Free Dispersed area but the site were furnished with a fire ring and table and a great view of a beautiful lake," reports Nita at Belle Fourche Dispersed Site.

    What campers like

    Scenic viewpoints: Multiple spots along Mt. Roosevelt Road provide views not mentioned in other guides. "Up the hill are spots for 3 or 4 campers. Partially shaded with nice views and extremely quiet," explains Harold at Along Mt Roosevelt Rd Dispersed Camp.

    Proximity to attractions: The central location makes this primitive camping near Spearfish ideal for regional exploration. "Great base to visit Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish Canyon, and Devils Tower," mentions Heather S. at Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite.

    Tranquil environment: Despite proximity to towns, most sites remain peaceful. "We pulled in after dark and left as the sun rose. Right outside Deadwood," shares Taz G. at Mt. Roosevelt Dispersed Camping.

    What you should know

    Road conditions: The gravel road deteriorates beyond the initial mile. "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," cautions Veronica S. at Mt. Roosevelt Dispersed Camping.

    Site selection: Arrive early for the best spots, especially during peak season. "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!" reports Misty B.

    Limited facilities: Beyond the vault toilet near the entrance, no facilities exist. "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," advises Veronica S.

    Alternative locations: Consider Sand Creek Public Access for water access. "There are three pull outs along the road where you can camp. There is a pit toilet at each and several places where others have made fire rings out of rocks. The sand creek has plenty of fish to try your luck at," notes Mercuric M.

    Tips for camping with families

    Arrival timing: Plan to arrive before 4pm to secure family-friendly sites. "We got here around 4 pm. The site we got was beautiful and had a lot of room for us to pitch a tent," advises Veronica S.

    Site spacing: Look for the larger sites for family camping. "Our spot was a pull out on the side of the road with an amazing view... Spots are spread out so you have privacy. Pretty quiet area," reports Olivia E. at Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite.

    Safety considerations: The steep terrain requires extra supervision for children. "Flat, just off the road, dry, among trees, lovely view. Other campers around but still peaceful & private enough," shares Suzanne C. at Along Mt Roosevelt Rd Dispersed Camp.

    Tips from RVers

    Size limitations: Smaller rigs work best on this road. "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," shares TexasRed at Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite.

    Leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks for uneven terrain. "The first pull of recommended was too steep for our van. We pulled off at a treat spot about 1/4 mile down the road with awesome views," notes c G. at Mt. Roosevelt Dispersed Camping.

    Alternative RV camping: For larger rigs, consider Spearfish Quarry just outside town. "It's just a big parking area, room for a few big rigs. It's close to town, Spearfish is an awesome place, easy drive to much of the northern Black Hills area," mentions Jeff R.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites around Spearfish?

    Dispersed camping sites around Spearfish are truly primitive with minimal to no amenities. Storm Hill BLM Land Dispersed Site offers flat, gravel camping areas with spectacular views but no fire rings, picnic tables, hook-ups, or garbage facilities. Similarly, West Nemo - Dispersed Camping provides scenic views next to Boxelder Creek with no amenities whatsoever. Most dispersed sites follow this pattern - you'll need to pack in everything you require and pack out all waste. Fire restrictions are common, with many areas prohibiting campfires completely. Bring your own water, food, and toilet supplies, and prepare for true self-sufficient camping. Cell service varies by location but is generally limited.

    Are there any seasonal restrictions for dispersed camping in Spearfish, SD?

    Seasonal restrictions for dispersed camping near Spearfish primarily relate to road conditions and fire restrictions. Spring Creek Road and similar forest roads can become impassable during wet weather. At RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest, campfires are often prohibited, especially during dry summer months when fire danger is high. Winter camping is technically possible but access becomes challenging with snow and ice. Most dispersed sites are best visited from late spring through early fall (May-October). Always check current forest service alerts before heading out, as seasonal closures may be implemented due to wildlife protection, forest management activities, or extreme weather conditions. During peak summer tourism season and special events like Sturgis Rally, popular sites fill up quickly.

    Where can I find free dispersed camping near Spearfish, SD?

    Several free dispersed camping options exist near Spearfish. Spearfish Quarry offers quiet, clean sites with easy access and occasional OHV trail users nearby. Another excellent option is Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite, located just 5-10 minutes from Deadwood with well-maintained roads and beautiful spots overlooking the town. Additional dispersed camping can be found along forest roads west of Nemo, Spring Creek Road, and near Calumet Road. Most of these sites are free with no reservations required - simply find an established pullout and set up camp. Many locations are accessible with standard vehicles, though some side routes may require high clearance or 4WD, especially after rain.

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