Top of the Mountain Dispersed Camping
Black Hills National Forest
Write a Review Mt Roosevelt Rd Deadwood, SD 57732 605-673-9200 Official WebsiteGPS: 44.3882, -103.759
Overview of Top of the Mountain Dispersed Camping
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by Camper891323 on 9/11/2024
Longest RV Reported: 38 feet (Toy Hauler Travel Trailer)
Reported by RVwithRandC on 6/12/2020
Elevation 5,511 ft / 1,679 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Top of the Mountain Dispersed Camping
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 605-673-9200
Jarwin asked on 7/18/2021
Is this only accessible to high clearance vehicles? We're driving a 2019 Kia Niro. Thanks! - Jason
Charlie-girl asked on 4/1/2021
Any natural water sources near Top of the Mountain Dispersed Camping?
Dwalouke asked on 7/22/2020
Bringing a 21' ft trailer out there on 8/1 or 8/2. Always worried about getting a spot at a place like this and, if ...
Reviews of Top of the Mountain Dispersed Camping 30 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 17 Users
Last reported 9/11/2024
Confirmed by 11 Users
Last reported 8/7/2023
Confirmed by 5 Users
Last reported 5/27/2023
“Limit D Camp Sites, NO FIRES, Clean”
Reviewed 9/11/2024
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Site Number: | 0 |
Overall Rating
Roads Are Completely Fine To Drive On into Here. If U See The Sign At the End Of The Last Camp Site, that Says The County Does NOT Maintain The Road After That Point, don’t go past the sign! It’s awful road, big holes and bigger rocks. No way for me!. Thought I’d Try It But After 50’, I Turned Around (ProMaster 1500 Van, Small) And... more
Roads Are Completely Fine To Drive On into Here. If U See The Sign At the End Of The Last Camp Site, that Says The County Does NOT Maintain The Road After That Point, don’t go past the sign! It’s awful road, big holes and bigger rocks. No way for me!. Thought I’d Try It But After 50’, I Turned Around (ProMaster 1500 Van, Small) And Went Back. Not Very Many Camp Sites And All Were Taken When I Came Here, 9/11/24, on a Wednesday 12 pm.😳 So I camped off the side of the dirt road, But On A Little Off Of The Road Where It Was Cleared Enough For Me To park There. Of note, a lot of those little 2 and 4-seat mini dune buggy thingies riding out here and they don’t seem to care about respecting not kicking sand up all over by speeding through here. I wish they weren’t allowed because it ruined my stay here. 😢
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Rough Terrain, Small Sites”
Reviewed 8/18/2024
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
Overall Rating
We drove up and down the road to Friendship Tower and beyond. Only a few sites that were identifiable, somewhat level, and accessible without a 4x4. We stayed in a widening in a horseshoe pull out just past (south) of the parking area and vault toilet. It was very lovely, quiet, and at least 15 degrees cooler than Deadwood. Loved it! W... more
We drove up and down the road to Friendship Tower and beyond. Only a few sites that were identifiable, somewhat level, and accessible without a 4x4. We stayed in a widening in a horseshoe pull out just past (south) of the parking area and vault toilet. It was very lovely, quiet, and at least 15 degrees cooler than Deadwood. Loved it! Wind through the Aspens at night! We could actually see Whistler’s Gulch with binoculars from our site. Ironic since we stayed there the night prior. Vault toilet was clean, short hike to the tower was pleasant, traffic on main dirt road was far enough away that the dust was not a factor. Two other sites in the horseshoe we found.
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Verizon 5G
Geppetto would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Easily accessed with fantastic views and sunrise.”
Reviewed 9/28/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
| RV Length: | 31' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
There are several spots along the road once you pass the trailhead to the tower. BTW, don't miss this short hike. We did a sunset hike, and it was beautiful. Be sure to go up the tower. We were camped just below the top of the hill area, which was up a steep loose offshoot of the main road. Fine for smaller cars or vans, but not us w... more
There are several spots along the road once you pass the trailhead to the tower. BTW, don't miss this short hike. We did a sunset hike, and it was beautiful. Be sure to go up the tower.
We were camped just below the top of the hill area, which was up a steep loose offshoot of the main road. Fine for smaller cars or vans, but not us with a 30' TT.
Word of caution, if you are towing a trailer, do not proceed pass this point as the road becomes much more rugged, rocky, narrower and quite steep in some areas as it windage back down the mountain. We were really happy we did it without the trailer before we towed in that direction.
Philyn Staytion would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Peaceful ”
Reviewed 8/7/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 14 |
| RV Length: | 10' (Teardrop Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Stayed at the spot Larry P posted. Came here 7/10 and stayed 14 days. Don't come up via Denver street in Deadwood. I made that mistake. Definitely come the way from The Lodge of Deadwood. Plenty of things to do and go. Loved it here.
AT&T 4G
tg2654 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Access”
Reviewed 7/23/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Overall Rating
The best way to get there is from the road where The Lodge at Deadwood is. Turn at that corner, Mount Roosevelt Road and go up the mountain and just past the trail head and pit toilets on the right, you’ll see the BLM spots. Only about 4 spots, but a great spot to camp if you can snag one.
JP would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Easy access to beautiful views”
Reviewed 5/27/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
| RV Length: | 23' (Class B Plus) |
Overall Rating
Mt Roosevelt Rd is well graded with almost no potholes and no washboard sections. A few pull offs coming up the road before this location (44.388218, -103.759013), then just past this location up the road is a big pull off and the shortly after that up the hill is room for 3 or 4 more rigs. There is a pit toilet a few minutes down th... more
Mt Roosevelt Rd is well graded with almost no potholes and no washboard sections. A few pull offs coming up the road before this location (44.388218, -103.759013), then just past this location up the road is a big pull off and the shortly after that up the hill is room for 3 or 4 more rigs. There is a pit toilet a few minutes down the road at the Mt Roosevelt picnic area. Take the short hike to the Friendship Tower and the Mt Roosevelt Lookout, it's beautiful! We have Starlink which works here but really don't need it. Getting 2 bars 5G T-Mobile w/ speeds of 81.6 down & 19.1 up. Try and get here around mid-late afternoon. We got here on a Friday about 3pm and got this last good spot.
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T-Mobile 5G
Larry P would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Quiet Mountain Top Oasis”
Reviewed 9/9/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 1 |
Overall Rating
The reason I only gave it three stars was simply because it was rainy and cold the whole time We were here so I didn’t get to fully experience it. The road up was in great shape. A bit steep and twisty but easily accessible to most vehicle types. The view was fantastic and it was very quiet. We took the first site right past the toilet... more
The reason I only gave it three stars was simply because it was rainy and cold the whole time
We were here so I didn’t get to fully experience it. The road up was in great shape. A bit steep and twisty but easily accessible to most vehicle types. The view was fantastic and it was very quiet. We took the first site right past the toilets due to the rain but it’s a great site. Only annoying issue we had was people driving into our site thinking it was open. We had two drive in at 2:30 in the morning shining their headlights right in our windows and waking us up. Also thought there was a lot of late night traffic for a rainy Thursday night. All in all, I would definitely stay again
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AT&T 5G
T-Mobile 4G
SueP would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Small Rigs ONLY”
Reviewed 9/8/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| RV Length: | 29' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
There are several spots and good for mostly small rigs (under 24 ft ). Verizon wireless signal was good here. Great view of the black hills.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great views and cell service!”
Reviewed 8/8/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
Overall Rating
Space for a handful of small rigs here, maybe a big rig or two. I'm in a minivan camper, so didn't have any issues getting level. (although I highly suggest levelers). 3-4 bars of Verizon, which was excellent!!! The views are to die for. Quiet. Plenty of shade from the trees but enough sun for solar. Gravel road up the mount... more
Space for a handful of small rigs here, maybe a big rig or two. I'm in a minivan camper, so didn't have any issues getting level. (although I highly suggest levelers).
3-4 bars of Verizon, which was excellent!!!
The views are to die for. Quiet. Plenty of shade from the trees but enough sun for solar.
Gravel road up the mountain. Any rig should be able to make it. Close to Deadwood!
YouTube: Adventuring With Amanda
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful Views”
Reviewed 7/31/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 10 |
| Site Number: | 0 |
Overall Rating
Stayed here for 10 days during a heat wave. Not the same coordinates as listed, so may be a different site. The cords I obtained are: 44.387036, -103.760793. Elevation is: 5517’. One day it got to 90s, but Deadwood was 103 degrees. There was a nice breeze every day. There is room for 3-4 campers and perhaps a tent, definitely no big ri... more
Stayed here for 10 days during a heat wave. Not the same coordinates as listed, so may be a different site. The cords I obtained are: 44.387036, -103.760793. Elevation is: 5517’. One day it got to 90s, but Deadwood was 103 degrees. There was a nice breeze every day. There is room for 3-4 campers and perhaps a tent, definitely no big rigs. There is a view from the bluff that we saw deer in the meadow, a view of Deadwood (don’t miss the lights of Deadwood turn on, all at the same time) and the surrounding hills and mountains, and heard the call of Common Nighthawks. Sites are relatively level, campfires are currently prohibited, traffic dies down at dusk. Hiking along Mount Roosevelt Road in both directions but watch for ATVs. Don’t miss hiking Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower trail and up to the top of the tower (1.3 mile from parking lot), which also has a vault toilet, but no garbage disposal.
Approach Mount Roosevelt Road from Rt 85 at the Lodge of Deadwood turnoff (the route from Deadwood is rough), continue past the Lodge on paved road, follow sign to continue on Mount Roosevelt Road, which then turns to gravel. Decent gravel road, some washboard. Continue past Mount Roosevelt parking lot for picnic area (there’s a sign) and trailhead to the Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower approx 1/2 mile. There’s a big pullout suitable for a big rig on the right. Opposite the pullout on the left is a uphill turnoff leading to the camping area and bluff.
First night I camped here I saw view of Deadwood, next night view was obscured by smoke from Canadian wildfire. There's a gravesite/memorial to Harley at campsite.
I camped in a 20’ campervan, had no problem going uphill with 2-wheel drive, and needed minimal leveling. Remember Leave No Trace, Pack it In/Pack it Out, and Leave it cleaner than you found it. This site is pristine. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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