Hiking Up The Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower
- Date Visited: September 22, 2020
- Address: Mt. Roosevelt Rd, Deadwood, SD 57732
- GPS: 44.32811, -103.99004
- Website
- Hours: 24/7
- Price: Free
Nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota above the historic city of Deadwood you can find the Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower.
Also known as the Mount Theodore Roosevelt Monument it was dedicated to the former president by his good friend Seth Bullock on July 4, 1919.
In 1966, the Society of Black Hills Pioneers donated the Tower to the United States Forest Service. The Tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 22, 2005.
The 31-foot stone tower, including the six-foot-high platform, underwent restoration in 2010 for foundation stabilization and stone repair. Stairs were also added so you could climb the tower to the top of the platform.
There is a picnic area and restrooms located in the parking lot of the monument.
Interpretive signs and a brochure/map are available at the trailhead explaining the history of the monument. There are also more interpretive signs located along the trail as you hike.
The trail is a loop and a little less than a mile in length. The tower is at the top. There is a gradual climb to reach the top, but nothing too severe.
Once you reach the tower there are a couple of picnic tables to take a break or have lunch.
Make the short climb up the stairs of the tower and be greeted with some pretty epic views. The stairs are a little steep and are stone so may be slippery when wet so be careful.
We spent two weeks camping right down the road from the tower and actually walked to it a couple of times during our time in the area. It’s an easy hike with amazing views.
The tower itself is pretty cool and the story behind it is even better. Dexter conquered his fear of stairs and actually walked to the top of the tower with me.
If you are in the area this is a must stop in my opinion.
There are a number of spots on Mount Roosevelt Road to disperse camp on and the town of Deadwood is only 15 minutes away. If you have never been to Deadwood add it to your bucket list because it is pretty sweet.