Dispersed tent camping opportunities near Spearfish, South Dakota extend beyond Mount Roosevelt Road into several lesser-known areas of the Black Hills National Forest. Most sites sit at elevations between 4,500-6,000 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands. Wildlife sightings are common in these areas, with campers frequently reporting deer encounters during early morning and evening hours.
What to do
Hiking to viewpoints: The Roosevelt Friendship Tower trail offers views beyond what's visible from campsites. "We got to our spot just before sunset and only had one neighbor, though we passed a few tenters going up the road. Our spot was nice and a short walk to a vault toilet and trailhead. The trail led to a cool tower that we climbed to watch the sunset," shares a visitor at Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings present prime opportunities for spotting deer and other wildlife. "Road was in good shape. Lots of deer and wildlife so watch out. Nice views but not that many spots before the super bumpy road about a mile in so we didn't go further," notes a camper about the terrain and animal presence.
Climbing excursions: For rock climbing enthusiasts, Wrinkled Rock provides direct access to climbing routes. "Not much to do if you're not a climber, but luckily that's all we came to South Dakota to do. Walking distance to nearby climbing and nice views from the huge boulder in the vicinity," explains one visitor who traveled from Pittsburgh specifically for climbing.
What campers like
Strategic location: The proximity to Deadwood while maintaining a natural setting draws many campers. "We had a 4WD truck with rooftop tent. High clearance is not necessary for road," shares one visitor about accessibility at Mount Roosevelt Road.
Cell connectivity: Unlike many remote dispersed sites, several locations maintain usable cell service. "We have T-mobile and we got 2 bars," reports one camper, while others confirm Verizon coverage is generally reliable at higher elevation sites near Spearfish.
Natural seclusion: The RD 356 Dispersed Site offers greater separation from tourist areas. "Once you pull off the highway and on the road the chaos of Sturgus goes away. Road had some ruts and a steep hill that turns but once we traversed that we were alone and secluded," describes one visitor who stayed during the pre-Sturgis motorcycle rally period.
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Access roads can deteriorate quickly after wet weather. "Maybe 3 spots.. one has hard slant.. no campfire signs all over.. not far to Roosevelt tower.. beautiful views," reports one camper about site limitations at Mount Roosevelt.
Fire restrictions: Many dispersed sites have strict fire regulations. At Mount Roosevelt Camp, signs prohibit campfires throughout the area, though some campers note that visitors occasionally ignore these restrictions.
Limited site availability: The best tent camping near Spearfish, South Dakota often fills quickly during peak season. "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. This is not a thru road there is only one entrance off of the CanAm Highway," warns one visitor about navigation and site access.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: Choose sites closer to main access roads when camping with children. "Nice area, very wide open, 7 minutes from Mount Rushmore, but be careful if you have a small car, there are only 3 spots before the road starts to get very inaccessible without a 4x4," advises a camper at RD 356 Dispersed Site.
Backup planning: Weather changes quickly in the Black Hills. "We definitely had an intense hail/thunderstorm so ended up sleeping half the night in the car," shares a visitor at Wrinkled Rock, suggesting families should have contingency plans for sudden weather changes.
Child-friendly activities: Look for sites with short hiking options. "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. 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!"
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Large RVs should stick to established sites closer to main roads. "Roughly about 10 sites depending on set-up. Bathroom close by the entrance/trailhead to Roosevelt Friendship Tower. Overall, great spot, make sure to hit the hike to the tower and overlook!" notes a visitor at Whispering Pines Campground.
Leveling challenges: Many dispersed sites near Spearfish have uneven terrain. "The sites might be a little small but its cozy," explains a camper who found the compact spaces workable despite limitations.
Services planning: Stock up on supplies before heading to dispersed sites. "We just stayed at this campground for a couple of nights, but we hadn't had full hook ups for over a month. Kind of packed in here, but we needed a place to scout from, so this was perfect. Site are big enough to accommodate most any size rig."
