Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower — Attraction in Deadwood

To get to this location, you must follow a gravel road that has loose deep gravel with large pieces of rock mixed in. If you are on a motorcycle, especially a heavy cruiser or touring bike, this can be challenging. If you have no experience riding on sketchy surfaces, don't try this.

Once you arrive at the parking area at the end of the gravel road, you have to hike a trail uphill to get to the lookout tower. I'd estimate that the trail is a 15 to 20 minute hike. If you aren't in shape, you will definitely feel it.

The tower has a spiral concrete staircase inside that goes to the top where an observation area is open in all directions to see the Northern end of the Black Hills. It's probably the highest point in the area. You can see Spearfish, Deadwood, and all the mountain tops out across the range. It is a spectacular view. There is also an observation area away from the tower that is a wooden deck with seating.

If you like hiking, this is a fun trip. It is fairly secluded, quiet, and has some interesting history behind it....

Awesome way to experience a true 360deg view of all the surroundings uh ending areas around Deadwood and afar. There is a 1mi gravel graded road that any vehicle can use to get to the trail head. The trail is very well marked and is the only one at the top of this mountain. The trail is dirt and some gravel and is just around a 1 mi loop around the top of the mountain. The trail takes you right to the brick observation tower. There is a short spur off the trail here as well to get a better overlook from the ground level. Going up the circular stone staircase (steep stairs) will open up at the observation deck and allow beautiful views 360 deg across the landscape. There are a couple of benches at the top to picknick and a bathroom at the trailhead as well. Awesome experience and an easy...

The Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower was constructed in 1919 by a local rancher to celebrate the life and death of his close friend, Theodore Roosevelt. He wanted others to be able to experience the wide open views that both he and Roosevelt so loved and fought to protect.

The tower has undergone restoration but remains much the same as when it was built. The short (half mile?) trail from the Picnic Area leads up a hill and across a small meadow to the Friendship Tower. A steep spiral staircase winds up the inside and to the top of the viewing platform. The view is spectacular!

The dirt access road is well maintained and should not be a deterrent to enjoying this out-of-the-way piece of history. Well worth it for...