Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower
4.8(371)google
HikingNatureOutdoorScenic Lookout
Overview
Perched high on a scenic peak outside Spearfish, the Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower is a historic stone monument built in 1919 by deadwood pioneer Seth Bullock. Constructed to honor his deep, personal friendship with President Theodore Roosevelt, this unique hand-built stone tower offers a fascinating glimpse into early conservation history. Visitors can complete a short hiking trail through shady aspen groves to climb the tower's stairs, enjoying breathtaking, sweeping panoramic vistas of the surrounding Black Hills.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1-2 hours
Best TimePerched dramatically on a high forested mountain ridge, this historic stone observation tower built by a legendary Deadwood sheriff in honor of Theodore Roosevelt is accessible 24/7. The definitive magic window is late afternoon from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM from May through October; the burning setting sun brilliantly illuminates the hand-laid stone block masonry, rewarding climbers with an expansive panoramic view over the wilderness.
Getting ThereTucked quietly away deep within the high Black Hills national forest pine groves along Forest Road 133, north of Deadwood. Driving a durable high-clearance car is the exclusive means of transit: from downtown, head north on US-85 for 1.5 miles, turn left onto the unpaved, winding dirt switchbacks of Mount Roosevelt Road (FS-133), and drive 2.5 miles straight to the trailhead loop; a free gravel lot is active. No buses run here.
Travel Tips
- The forest approach to the masonry obelisk uses a non-stabilized raw dirt incline. Lacking solar exposure, the soil matrices retain dangerous hardpack ice sheets through spring; mounting ice cleats onto outsoles is necessary due to the complete lack of safety fencing.
- The internal vertical stairs within the stone watchtower consist of a single narrow cast-iron helix layout. The diameter prevents dual-directional pacing; climbers must execute auditory check-ins from the top or ground platforms before initiating changes.
- The property operates under registered federal antiquity statutes. The canopy serves as an active raptor breeding refuge, locking out all drone flightlines; carving into or marking the historic granite ashlar block invokes immediate federal felony booking.
Reviews
Positive
- A monumental landmark holding immense historical value! This granite stone tower, erected by pioneer Seth Bullock to honor his close friend President Theodore Roosevelt, feels historic.
- The half-mile hike from the lot to the tower is highly pleasant through crisp pines; climbing to the top viewing deck rewards you with a staggering 360-degree panorama of the northern Black Hills.
- This is a 100% free, uncommercialized sanctuary; the trail is beautifully quiet, allowing you to breathe fresh pine air and soak up unparalleled wilderness solitude.
- Recent restoration by the US Forest Service successfully reinforced the interior iron spiral staircase and added highly visible markers, greatly upgrading safety when climbing.
Heads up
- The latter mountain road leading up to the trailhead consists of several miles of unpaved, rough gravel; it is heavily potted, making the drive highly bumpy for low-clearance sedans.
- The trailhead amenities are bare-bones, featuring only a primitive vault toilet and a single small bin with zero running water, and there are absolutely no snack or coffee options nearby.
- The tower's upper viewing platform is cramped and narrow, and the interior steps are incredibly steep, fully locking out mobile-restricted seniors, severe vertigo sufferers, or strollers.
- Being isolated on a high mountain ridge, cellular signal is dead throughout the trek, and severe winter snowpacks sit deep due to delayed plowing, posing a slick spinning hazard for cars.