Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower

The famous Deadwood Sheriff, Seth Bullock, built the Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower in 1919 as a dedication to President Theodore Roosevelt, his close friend of many years. Bullock wanted to create a memorial of his friend’s life and a place where people could view wide open spaces that both Bullock and Roosevelt had become so fond of during their lives. Now part of the United States Forest Service and on the National Register of Historic Places, the Friendship Tower is located just north of Deadwood. Head one mile north on U.S. Highway 85 to the turn off for The Lodge at Deadwood resort. Turn left as if going to the resort but keep right and follow Forest Road 133 approximately .2 miles to the Mount Roosevelt Picnic Area (which has five picnic sites). The Mount Roosevelt Trail is approximately one mile round-trip up a moderately sloped trail from a gravel parking area to the Tower. Operational house are sunrise to sunset, year-round. (The phone number is for the U.S. Forest Service office in Custer.)