🏔️ Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower – A Monument to History & Friendship in the Black Hills 🇺🇸

Join me as I explore the Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower in Lawrence County, South Dakota — a historic tribute set atop a scenic overlook with breathtaking views of the Black Hills. This stop beautifully blends history, nature, and a heartfelt story of friendship between two American icons.

📍 Location & Overview

Near: Deadwood, South Dakota
Setting: Nestled in the Black Hills National Forest
Trail Type: Short, easy hike to the tower

This monument isn’t just a piece of stone and mortar — it’s a lasting tribute to the bond between Seth Bullock, the first sheriff of Deadwood, and President Theodore Roosevelt.

📜 The Story Behind the Tower

Built in 1919 by Seth Bullock, the Friendship Tower was dedicated to Roosevelt after his passing. Bullock and Roosevelt met during the Spanish-American War era and developed a friendship grounded in mutual respect and shared values of hard work, integrity, and love of the outdoors.

🌄 The Hike & Views

The trail to the tower is short, scenic, and accessible, winding through pine-scented forest before opening to panoramic vistas of the Black Hills. From the top, you can see rolling hills, rugged cliffs, and endless sky — a view that perfectly captures the spirit of the West.

🎥 Watch the Adventure


This visit is part of my Life on Paws and Wheels travel vlog series. While Simba 🐾 enjoyed a rest for this stop, I captured the full hike, history, and stunning views so you can experience it too.

If you’re traveling near Deadwood, the Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower is an easy, rewarding detour for history lovers, hikers, and anyone chasing those perfect South Dakota views.

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Location: Lawrence County, SD, USA

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