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Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed on most of the Forest for a maximum of 14 days in any 60-day period. However, around developed reservoirs and campgrounds, camping is allowed only in designated areas. Check with the closest Forest Service office for specific information.
General rules:
Camp 100 feet away from any creek or stream and 1/2 mile away from developed recreation sites, including campgrounds and picnic areas. Motorized vehicles allowed 300 feet off of roads as shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (dots) for dispersed camping on the Black Hills National Forest. Around developed reservoirs and campgrounds, camping is allowed only in designated campsites. Can camp for a maximum of 14 days in any 60-day period. No open campfires in South Dakota portions of the national forest. Open campfires are permitted in Wyoming portions of the national forest, unless a special order prohibiting such is in effect.
Managed by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, 3305 W. South St., Rapid City, SD 57702; (605) 394-2391. Eight miles east of Belle Fourche. Public-use area, swimming, boating, and fishing. Available fish species include walleye, catfish, and white bass. Open year-round.
Traveler
Dispersed Camping off the main road thru Custer State Park that is National Forest. Turn on the road that marks the Bob Marshall Camp. You pass a water treatment area and go thru the gate. It is open to vehicles in the summer and equestrian and hike in during the winter. Road is rough but was passable in our truck. We towed in a small teardrop but I wouldn't recommend a large rig. There are several areas to set up camp but pack in and pack out! No water sources spotted so bring enough in with you (didn't even see any water for filtering). Saw a preexisting stone fire pit from past campers too. Super quiet and near all the great things of Custer. We did experience biting flies. Coordinates: 43.7851324, -103.5041771
Legend
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.
Guide
Literally dozens of good dispersed camp sites along this rough road. Amazing find so close to Mt Rushmore. Elevation is about 5500 feet. I camped in November and the water bottle in my tent froze. In the morning it was only a 10 minute drive to the memorial. With the sun in my eyes it was too late when I saw the deer. (:-(
ScoutClose enough to civilization to be able to get stuff. Removed enough from civilization to feel free from the city. Camping spots are secluded and private. There are no facilities so pack water and toilet paper.
Guide
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). Go a good ways down the road and up a hill which did have a couple of spots that I would be Leary of if you have a low to ground vehicle. We stayed in the first spot once clear of the trees, and while on a slope, it was a fantastic view. Our neighbors had made it towing a full size 5th wheel travel trailer, so it can be done, but I wouldn't try on a muddy road day with a huge trailer. Too risky. Still we camped on top of one of the highest mountains in the Black Hills, for free. It was fantastic until about midnight when the rainstorms came and our old tent had a catastrophic failure. We nearly froze from being fully soaked. So no second night for us, we had to push on, wash and dry everything, and buy a new tent to continue our travels. It was a great camp tho. But I recommend a bug canopy for just chilling in, and go ahead and invest in a good ground tarp and throw one over your tent as well to keep rain from soaking thru. You will thank me, and be a little warmer. Happy camping.
Guide
We drove out without the RV to scope out the area and are glad we did. The road was a washboard for a long way, and we decided that the potential damage it might cause our rig was not worth the savings from dispersed camping. We headed back to our previous site in a developed campground. Pretty though! Lots of wildlife and beautiful open surroundings. Very few trees of any kind.
Ranger
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.
Traveler
There were multiple pull off dispersed camping areas all along the Mt. Roosevelt road. The road is easy to drive if coming off the CanAm Hwy side of the mountain. Walking distance to the Roosevelt Friendship Tower hike which is highly recommended. Tons of bees in the wildflowers but they never bothered us. Pack in and pack out! Some traffic driving along the road but never overwhelming and quiet at night. Great base to visit Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish Canyon, and Devils Tower
GuideMy Fiancé and I loved these dispersed camping sites! They’re scattered all along the drive of the mountain. The roads are all dirt going back to the sites. They’re plenty big for a 20ft camper, we have a 16ft pull behind and our truck and we still had plenty of room on our site and it wasn’t even a group site. There are a few extra big spots for groups. No fires, but your dogs will love this area.
ScoutSeveral spots along the Bob Marshall camp road to pull off and camp. We went a bit more off the path by turning right, going up past a water treatment plant and parking near the end of the road. It was secluded and pretty. Lots of coyotes in the area. No camp fires when we were there due to dry conditions. The road after the turn off was in rough shape. I wouldn’t take a trailer up it, but we were in a large SUV and it was just fine. A great place to disperse camp in the state park. We stayed two nights.
Ranger
Very close to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Rapid City and Hill City. Lake Sheridan was a great place to go cool off. Very dispersed camping. Pack in Pack out. No cell service. At first we didn’t think there was a spot to pull off and then found a perfect circular area for us in our travel trailer and our friends car camping. No fires allowed when we were there. We stayed 2 nights and planned to sight see so left our stuff and was never bothered.
Guide
Decent spot veside the road. There are several boondocking spots between here and Cook Lake Outhouse is nearby this site on main road Cows are all over this site
GuideEntered North Rd off of 16 coming from Custer. No problems driving up to camping area with our 39ft fifth wheel. At the top there are some great and large spots for bigger rigs. We found a spot on the right side of the road in a little meadow, across from the hill on the left. Like others mentioned, cell service is best near the “front” so when you get to the top pull out your phone to check service! We drove a few miles further down the road and the road was great the entire way. Zero issues! Highly recommend! Also, please don’t park right next to someone... it’s dispersed camping for a reason! Spread out, enjoy the mountain :)
Legend
This is dispersed camping so there are no services. Bring your own water and take with you all of your garbage. The spots within the first mile are no camping allowed. Just keep going and you’ll be happy. The road winds along the creek between rocky formations and trees. There are plenty of spots to pull into to camp. We saw larger sites and narrow ones you could back into. There was one other van camping down this way when we showed up. Cell service diminished as we drove in. The other folks walked back along the road to get a signal. Choose your site carefully because we also saw cows eating their way along the road. This is a beautiful spot right in an incredible area of the Black Hills.
TravelerLove this dispersed campsite, beautiful views of the sunrise, secluded but off a main road.
ScoutThanks to the first reviewer, I was able to find this campsite after showing up to the Black Hills and all campsites were booked.
A great retreat from the tourism, but still close enough to run to store and all attractions. No phone service out here so mark the location. A few campsites along the gravel road, all dispersed.
No fires (reason for the 4 star rating since it got cold at night) but was so secluded we were able to leave our things while we went and climbed and fished.
TravelerI absolutely loved camping here. I was in the second site in, and the road was totally fine getting there. All of the big dips and whatnot could be driven around, but I'm not sure about going further in than that.
The views were incredible, and it was secluded from other sites but not so much so that you're completely isolated if something bad were to happen. I felt very safe here as a female solo camper. I barely had some Verizon service - I could get the occasional text to send through but not much more than that. Also it wasn't buggy at all which was a huge plus!
GuideCamping area near Mount Rushmore. I was able to find a camping area without a problem. The road does have some bumps in it but overall you do not need a four-wheel drive. The spot I camped at I was able to have decent Verizon signal however the area is a bit spotty for Verizon. The area seems to not allow for campfires. Trails nearby. One Trail is gated off and seems to mainly be a horse trail. Some of the camping spots seem to support larger vehicles. Also had a good view.
TravelerThe campsite I stayed at was right on the creek. Great, secluded spot. Didn't see many cars at all. No bugs though I imagine they would be brutal in the summer.
GuideOf course timing is everything, however in early May, no bugs, No traffic, isolated yet near Mt Rushmore, and the Crazy Horse exhibit.
ScoutWe stayed in the first lot as you drove in, backed all the way up into a nice secluded spot. No bathrooms, but Wrinkled Rock parking lot had a bathroom just down the road. Amazing free spot so close to the monument.
ScoutI just needed a place to stop and car camp. I was going to stay at a campground I. Belle Fourch but after a little exploring I found a great private spot in Free Dispersed area but the site were furnished with a fire ring and table and a great view of a beautiful lake. Slept like a baby!
TravelerSuper secluded and serene. 4x4 definitely a plus but ground clearance is key
TravelerGorgeous views and peaceful. There were people camping all along this road at other dispersed sites. No cell service though.
TravelerIt was a nice secluded spot that definitely requires a 4x4 or at least some decent clearance There were also a ton of hornets there, must have been a nest nearby
TravelerSome motorcyclists made it through using the SW entrance. Definitely need high clearance for the NE part of the road. Got a really nice secluded spot. Had cell service!
ScoutRenegade Pass is a private road and is NOT an option for the dispersed campers on North Pole Road. Fires are NOT allowed at all in this area. Please keep this information in mind when in that area.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Whitewood, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Whitewood, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Whitewood, SD is Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite with a 4.8-star rating from 9 reviews.
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