Are you looking for a secluded campground and picnic area in Spearfish Canyon? The Hanna Campground could be just what you’re looking for.
This campground is located right along Spearfish Creek in a mix of Spruce and meadows. Thirteen campsites are available. About half are regular sites that you can park your camper in and the other half are walk-in tent sites.
Fresh water, and two vault toilets are onsite. The walk-in tent area is open year-round and the other sites are open from one week before Memorial Day to a week after Labor Day. There is a short nature trail at Hanna Campground too.
Where is Hanna Campground?
From Lead. Travel south on Highway 85 about 8 miles. Watch for the white and brown sign for the campground. Turn left on to Hanna Road and you’ll find the campground after about 2 miles.
From Spearfish. Travel down the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway to Cheyenne Crossing. Turn Left and watch for the Hanna Road. Then turn left again and the campground is two miles down the road.
If you are planning on exploring the area, I would encourage you to have a good map like Black Hills – Northeast, South Dakota Trails Illustrated Map #751. This waterproof map has all the trailhead and campgrounds marked, enabling you to navigate the Black Hills back roads.
Spearfish Canyon is a wonderland all year long. I’ve posted about 11th Hour Gulch before, but it is a different experience depending on the time of year that you visit. Be sure to put this on your list of stops when in Spearfish Canyon.
If you are traveling north in the canyon, you’ll want to park in the pullout just after kissing rocks. Here is a video I took while walking to the gulch.
I love hiking Mount Roosevelt. It is a short hike with fantastic views, a perfect place to take people hiking – even if they are not really in to hiking. It has Friendship Tower, a really great structure that you can climb up. And, it is just minutes from Deadwood. You can leave downtown and be to the parking lot at Mount Roosevelt in no time.
Who Built Friendship Tower?
Friendship Tower (I’ve also heard it called Friendship Monument) was conceived by Seth Bullock. The Society of the Black Hills Pioneers constructed it. And, it was dedicated on July 4th, 1919. You can find Seth Bullock’s grave all the way across the gulch –above Mount Moriah - with a view of Mt. Roosevelt.
What’s been going on?
Improvements have recently been completed on the tower. Stairs, new railing and a roof have all be added. It is now safer for climbing to the top and enjoying the view.
How do you get to Friendship Tower?
It is a short drive from Deadwood. Travel north on Highway 85 from Deadwood and watch for the sign. Turn on Mount Roosevelt Road (the same turn for the Lodge at Deadwood) and stay on Mount Roosevelt road for 2.5 miles until you find the parking lot. Visit this page to see a video showing the drive.
From Lead. Travel south on Highway 85 about 8 miles. Watch for the white and brown sign for the campground. Turn left on to Hanna Road and you’ll find the campground after about 2 miles.
