Searching for the best camping near Spearfish, SD? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Spearfish is surrounded by family-friendly activities. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Spearfish, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
"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.."
"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. "
"It's close to town, Spearfish is an awesome place, easy drive to much of the northern Nlack Hills area."
"There are a few dispersed camping spots along this road which also holds the trailhead for Mt. Roosevelt Friendship Tower."
"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. Close to town but quiet"
"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."
"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!"
"I just needed a place to stop and car camp. I was going to stay at a campground I."
"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."
"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."
"I spent my 14 days here. It is a bit noisy because of the trails used by off-road vehicles."
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.
GuideLast mile of gravel going in to site was pretty rough. Sign indicated that the road would be impassible if wet/raining. Site was flat and gravel. Spot for tents just up the hill. No fire ring, no picnic table, no hook-ups or garbage. Dispersed camping / boondocking. No fee. Fantastic view of the country-side including Devil's Tower. Site appeared secluded and unused. Another vehicle with a tent did join us during the night, but there was room for both of us!
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.
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.
RangerLoved this spot! The dirt road right off the highway is pristine, not even washboardy. Once you branch right for the last mile or so, there are a few small rocks and ruts but still smooth. At the top of the hill, there’s a left turn that splits - if you go right, you’ll go across a big flat meadow and at the end find a beautiful site with a great view of Devil’s Tower. We were surprised only one other car was here on a Saturday night. We experienced intense wind overnight, but still loved the locatiob
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Spearfish, South Dakota, where nature lovers can enjoy serene landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities. With numerous options available, campers can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with nature.
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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