90 Miles of Single-Track
A trail map showing roughly 90 miles of single-track can sound like a whole riding weekend mapped out for you. The tricky part is that mileage alone does not tell you which routes are open, how they connect, or whether they suit your machine and experience. This guide explains what the single-track figure means and how to plan a safer, more rewarding ride in South Dakota.
What the 90 miles of single-track figure means
Single-track is a trail type, not a mileage guarantee
The figure refers to a category of narrow motorized trail in South Dakota’s Black Hills riding network. Single-track is generally designed around one motorcycle-width line rather than a road or broad trail that lets vehicles travel side by side. It offers a different experience from forest roads and wider OHV trails: tighter turns, more attention to line choice, and less room to pass or turn around.
That number is best treated as a system-wide measurement, not as a promise that you will find one continuous 90-mile loop. Routes may be divided into separate segments, and connections can depend on which trails and roads are open to your machine. A rider arriving with a rough plan to “follow the single-track” may discover that the practical ride is a series of connected sections rather than an uninterrupted route.
The mileage also does not tell you how difficult any individual trail will feel. A short section can be tiring if it is rocky, steep, rutted, or unfamiliar. A longer stretch may feel manageable if the surface and grade suit your experience. Before choosing a route, look at the terrain, access points, and current restrictions—not just the total miles listed for the system.
Single-track is not interchangeable with wider trails
Trail widths matter because a machine that fits one category may not be permitted on another. A narrow motorcycle trail is not simply a smaller version of a route intended for a quad or side-by-side. Some routes are designated for particular machine widths, and using a wider machine where it is not allowed can damage the trail or put you in conflict with posted rules.
If you ride a dirt bike, single-track may be the riding style you are looking for. If you ride an ATV or UTV, do not assume that the same trail network is open to your machine just because it is motorized. Check the designations for each route before unloading. The broader categories explained in [South Dakota Trail Mileage by Width] and [South Dakota Trails Under 62 Inches] can help you understand why a mileage total does not automatically describe access for every vehicle.
Think of the 90-mile figure as one piece of the planning puzzle. It describes the scale of a trail category, while the map, signs, seasonal notices, and your machine’s dimensions determine what you can actually ride. That distinction is especially important if your group includes both dirt bikes and larger vehicles.
How to choose a ride that fits your experience
Match the route to your riding ability
Single-track asks for steady attention. The trail may be narrow, and a rider may have limited room to change direction quickly, avoid an obstacle, or pull aside for another person. On a Black Hills ride, the ground can vary from loose gravel and packed dirt to rocky stretches, depending on the route and recent weather. A trail that looks simple on a small map can feel very different once you are navigating it from the seat.
If you are new to single-track, choose a shorter section with straightforward access rather than trying to cover as many miles as possible. Plan a route that lets you return to a known road or staging area without relying on a complicated chain of connections. That gives you room to learn how the machine handles narrow turns and uneven ground without turning a tiring afternoon into a long, stressful push back.
Experienced riders should also plan conservatively when conditions are unfamiliar. A technical section can take longer than expected, especially if you are stopping to check a map, waiting for a riding partner, or negotiating an obstacle. Start with enough daylight and energy in reserve to handle a slower pace. A route that looks modest on paper may become a full day when the group stops often or encounters changing trail conditions.
Consider the whole group, not only the strongest rider
A ride is only as comfortable as its least-prepared participant. If one person is new, riding a different machine, or less confident on steep or rocky ground, choose a route that does not force them to keep up with someone else’s pace. Agree beforehand that the group will regroup at safe, accessible points instead of leaving a rider to guess which way the others went.
It also helps to talk about expectations before starting. Some riders enjoy a slow, exploratory day with frequent stops; others may expect to cover a lot of ground. Decide whether the goal is to practice, explore, or complete a particular route. If those goals do not match, split into groups only if everyone has a clear plan, a working way to navigate, and an agreed meeting point.
Do not assume a narrow trail is suitable for children or first-time riders simply because it is short. The surface, grade, exposure, and availability of a safe turnaround can matter more than distance. For a mixed-ability group, a wider route may be a better first outing, even if single-track is the main reason you came to the Hills.
Check maps, access, and seasonal status before riding
Start with the official route information
Use a current forest travel map or Motor Vehicle Use Map to identify designated routes and understand where motorized travel is allowed. These maps help distinguish trails from roads and show that an apparent line on a general-purpose map is not necessarily an authorized route. Read the map’s notes and restrictions rather than relying only on a highlighted route or a pin.
A navigation app can be useful for following a planned route, but it should not replace the official route information. onX Offroad, for example, can help riders study terrain and organize a route digitally. Use it as a planning aid alongside the applicable official map and posted signs, not as permission to ride every line visible on a screen. Digital maps and trail layers may not communicate every closure or local restriction in the same way as current notices on the ground.
Before leaving home, compare your intended route with the latest available map information and look for closure notices. At the trailhead, check signs again. A route that appeared open during planning may be affected by a temporary closure, maintenance work, weather, or another restriction. [South Dakota Trail Maps and MVUMs] and [South Dakota Trail Conditions Before You Ride] are useful next reads for building that map-checking habit.
Treat seasonal dates as a planning clue, not a live status report
Some Black Hills motorized routes have seasonal operating windows. The dates listed for a trail system can help you decide when to plan a trip, but they do not guarantee that every route will be open on a particular day. Weather, trail conditions, maintenance, and temporary restrictions can change what is rideable.
The listed season may also vary by trail group. Some routes are associated with a May-to-December window, while others have a later opening period. That can make a big difference if you are planning a spring trip and assume that all motorized routes open together. Review the applicable dates for the specific route category, including the information in [South Dakota Trails Open May 15 to December 15] and [Trails Open August 15 to December 15].
A practical approach is to build a backup plan before you travel. If your preferred section is closed, know which other legal route or riding area could work instead. This is particularly helpful for visitors who have already booked lodging, hauled a bike from out of state, or planned a long weekend around one particular trail. Avoid treating last year’s ride report or an old saved route as confirmation that access is unchanged.
| Planning question | Why it matters | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Is the route designated for my machine? | A motorized trail may be restricted by vehicle type or width. | Route category, machine dimensions, map notes, and signs |
| Is the trail open on my travel date? | Seasonal and temporary closures can affect access. | Current forest notices, seasonal dates, and trailhead signs |
| Can I connect the segments legally? | A line between two trails may cross a road or area with different rules. | The full route on an official map, not only the trail endpoints |
| Do I have a way to navigate offline? | Cell service may be limited in some areas. | Downloaded maps, charged devices, and a paper backup |
| Does the ride suit everyone in the group? | A narrow or technical route can be demanding for less-experienced riders. | Surface, grade, route length, turnaround options, and group ability |
Prepare your motorcycle and ride plan
Make the machine and gear part of the route decision
A bike that is well suited to a wide gravel road may feel cumbersome on a narrow, technical trail. Before setting out, check basic items such as tires, brakes, controls, chain condition, and fuel range. A small issue that feels minor in the driveway can become a major inconvenience when you are far from a staging area and need to turn around on a tight trail.
Protective gear matters even on a familiar route. Wear equipment appropriate for the terrain and weather, and carry layers if temperatures may change during the day. Dust, wind, and sudden weather shifts can make a ride feel much harder than expected. Give every rider a chance to check their own equipment before departure rather than assuming the group’s most experienced person has handled it.
Carry the essentials that fit your planned ride: water, a basic tool kit, a first-aid kit, a charged phone or navigation device, and a way to communicate your plan. If the route has limited cell coverage, save maps for offline use and tell someone where you expect to ride and when you plan to return. onX Offroad or another digital mapping tool can help you keep your route available without relying on a live connection, but a paper map is still a sensible backup.
Plan mileage around time, not just distance
Single-track mileage can be misleading when you are estimating how long a ride will take. Riders may move more slowly through technical sections, stop to regroup, or need extra time to check route choices. A plan based on the pace you maintain on a broad gravel road can leave you rushing late in the day.
Give yourself a turnaround time as well as a destination. For example, if your group reaches a junction later than expected, decide in advance whether to continue or head back. That removes the pressure to push onward simply because the original plan included more mileage. It also makes the day easier for riders who are tired but reluctant to say so.
Fuel planning deserves the same care. Work out the route’s distance and likely riding time, then leave a margin for detours, slow sections, and navigation stops. Do not assume that a nearby town or service area will be conveniently placed for refueling during the ride. If you are unsure whether the route is suitable for your bike’s range, shorten the outing or plan to return to a known fueling point before committing to a longer loop.
Ride responsibly and know what to do when plans change
Stay on designated routes and respect closures
Single-track can look deceptively easy to leave. Riders may see a tempting opening, an older tire mark, or a line that appears to connect to another route. Do not treat those clues as permission. Stay on routes designated for your vehicle and follow posted signs. Riding off-route can damage vegetation and soil, create new paths, and affect access for everyone who uses the area.
If you encounter a closure, turn around rather than trying to bypass it. A closed segment may be unavailable because of trail damage, maintenance, wildlife concerns, or other management needs. The reason may not be obvious from the trail. Respecting a closure is part of keeping the area usable, even when it interrupts a carefully planned ride.
Remember that a trail permit requirement and a route designation are different questions. A permit does not make every motorized route open to every vehicle, and having the right machine does not necessarily satisfy permit requirements. Review [South Dakota's Motorized Trail Permit] before your trip, then confirm the rules for the specific area where you intend to ride.
Use good trail etiquette in a narrow corridor
Single-track gives riders limited space to pass, so communicate clearly and keep a predictable pace. If you need to stop, move to a spot where you are not blocking the trail and make sure the entire group knows where the rest of the riders are. Avoid stopping just beyond a blind corner, where another rider may not have time to respond.
When meeting another trail user, slow down and give one another room. Do not assume the other person has seen you, especially where the trail bends or the ground is noisy. Keep dust and loose material in mind as well: following too closely can make visibility worse and reduce the time a rider has to react to an obstacle.
Finally, leave the trail as you found it. Pack out trash, avoid widening the route, and do not ride around muddy or damaged sections in a way that creates a parallel track. If the trail is too wet or difficult to ride without causing damage, choose another route. The 90-mile single-track figure is valuable only if riders help preserve the network that makes those miles possible.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
