Mount Roosevelt Memorial

Updated on December 9, 2023  •  2 minute read  • 261 words

 0.5 mile hike  • 469 feet elevation

Mount Roosevelt Memorial is a quick hike found along US Highway 85 leading to Deadwood, SD. At the top of the hike is a tower built for overlooking the surrounding open area.

Useful Information

• Parking is free with a large parking lot.
• There are bathrooms available at the parking lot but no drinking water.
• Leashed pets are allowed.
• The trail is open year-round.

Directions

The Trail

The trail to the top forks onto two separate paths that join again once at the tower. Both trails are easily walkable without any obstacles. The tower is open and contains safety railings so that the public can safely climb to the top of the tower. On the backside of the tower, is another short trail that goes to a small deck with another view of the area.

History

Mount Roosevelt Monument is also known as friendship tower. The tower was build by Set Bullock, the first sheriff of deadwood, in memory of his friendship with president Theodore Roosevelt. Both were very fond of the natural landscape of South Dakota and worked on its preservation and the surrounding area. Roosevelt became known as the “Conservationist President” because of work to preserve public lands, wildlife, and natural resources. Bullock helped to establish Wind Cave National Park, Devils Tower National Monument, and the D.C. Booth National Fish Hatchery.

The tower was built in 1919 by the Society of Black Hills Pioneers and was donated to the U.S. Forest Services in 1966. The tower was restored in 2010 in order to open the tower again for public use.