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.
