Riding Between Two Hills Towns on Forest Roads
A ride between Black Hills towns can look simple on a map, then turn complicated when a road is closed, a route changes from gravel to a restricted motorized trail, or your machine does not meet the route’s requirements. This guide explains how to plan a legal, practical forest-road ride between towns, choose reliable maps, and avoid getting stranded or routed onto a road you cannot use.
Plan the ride around roads that are open to your machine
Treat a town-to-town ride as a route-planning problem
The Black Hills have a broad network of forest roads, but seeing a line between two towns on a commercial map does not prove that every section is open to motorized travel. A route may include private property, a seasonal closure, a road limited to certain vehicle types, or a segment that is not open to the kind of machine you are riding. Plan around the roads and routes officially open to your vehicle, not simply the shortest line between town names.
Lead and Deadwood, Hill City and Custer, or Spearfish and Sturgis can be useful starting points for thinking about a ride. They are not promises of a continuous, legal ATV or UTV route between each pair. Before committing, check whether the specific roads connect as expected and whether each segment permits your vehicle. The [Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota] is a large area with varied road and trail rules, so a route that works for one machine or season may not work for another.
Build the trip in sections. Identify your intended starting point, the roads you expect to use, places where you might stop, and a reasonable turnaround option. If a closure or confusing junction interrupts the route, you should have a way to return without improvising onto an unverified road. For a first ride, a shorter out-and-back from one town can be less stressful than trying to complete a long crossing with no easy alternative.
Confirm the map before relying on a route line
Use official motor-vehicle information to determine which routes are open to motorized use. Motor Vehicle Use Maps, commonly called MVUMs, show the roads and trails designated for motor vehicle use within the relevant forest area. Read the map legend carefully: route markings can communicate restrictions, seasonal access, or vehicle-specific limits. A line that appears continuous may not mean the same thing at every junction.
A phone mapping app can help you follow a route and understand where you are, but it should be a navigation aid rather than your only authority on access. For example, onX Offroad can be useful for reviewing terrain and organizing a planned route, but compare what you see in the app with the applicable official travel map and posted signs. Download maps for offline use before leaving town; cell service can be inconsistent in the Hills, especially when terrain blocks the signal.
| Planning question | What to check before departure |
|---|---|
| Is this road open to motorized travel? | Confirm it on the applicable official travel map and obey posted signs |
| Is my machine allowed on the route? | Check vehicle restrictions, width limits, and route designations |
| Does the ride include a motorized trail? | Confirm the permit or registration requirements for that segment |
| Could the route be seasonally closed? | Check current forest notices and closure information |
| Can I get fuel or assistance along the way? | Plan fuel, food, and help around confirmed services rather than assumptions |
| What if the route is blocked? | Save a legal return route and identify a safe turnaround point |
The [South Dakota Trail Maps and MVUMs] guide is a useful place to start when you are sorting out which map applies. OnX Offroad may help you keep your chosen route visible on your phone, but do not let an app’s suggested reroute send you onto a road that the official map or a closure sign says you cannot use.
Match your machine and permits to the route
Check width, registration, and permit requirements
A route can be open to motor vehicles in general and still not suit every ATV or UTV. Width restrictions matter on some motorized trails, while roads may have different designations and conditions. Measure your machine at its widest point, including tires, rather than relying only on the advertised model width. The guide to [Measuring Outside Tire to Outside Tire] explains why that detail matters when a route has a width limit.
Also confirm what documentation your machine needs for the places you plan to ride. Requirements can depend on whether you are using a forest road, a designated motorized trail, or another type of route, and whether the machine is plated or otherwise permitted. Do not assume a road ride and a trail ride have identical requirements. Review [South Dakota's Motorized Trail Permit] and [South Dakota Rules for Riding Federal Land] before departure, then check the specific rules for each segment.
If you are riding a rental, ask the outfitter which roads and trails the machine may use and whether required permits are included. If it is your own machine, confirm that its registration or permit status fits your planned route. Carry any required documents in a secure, accessible place, and make sure the plate or permit decal is displayed as required. A quick check at the kitchen table is far easier than trying to resolve a paperwork question at a remote junction.
Respect closures and posted restrictions
Forest roads can close temporarily for weather, maintenance, fire danger, or other management reasons. A route shown as open on a map may be affected by a newer closure notice or a sign posted at the entrance. Do not move a barrier, ride around a closure, or assume a road is open because another vehicle went through earlier. If signs and your saved route conflict, follow the closure and choose a confirmed alternative.
Before leaving, check [South Dakota Trail Conditions Before You Ride] and any relevant forest closure notices. Pay attention to dates and the exact area named; a closure may affect only one road, trail, or district rather than the entire region. If you cannot tell whether a notice applies to your route, ask the appropriate local forest office before heading out instead of trying to interpret it from a weak signal on the trail.
Leave room in your plan for a change. A thunderstorm can make an unfamiliar gravel road unpleasant, while dust, washboarding, mud, or fallen debris can slow a group more than expected. If you are traveling with children or inexperienced riders, avoid building a schedule that depends on keeping a brisk pace. The best town-to-town plan is one that still works when you need to stop, turn around, or take a longer legal route.
Prepare for distance, changing conditions, and limited services
Estimate fuel and time conservatively
A route that looks short on a screen can take much longer than expected on gravel. Junction checks, low speeds, dust, rough patches, photo stops, and breaks all add time. Plan using the actual route distance and realistic riding conditions, not the distance between town centers or a car-driving estimate. If your group includes different machines or experience levels, plan around the least capable machine and the rider who needs the most time.
Fuel planning deserves special attention. Services are not guaranteed along forest roads, and a map marker does not always mean a fuel stop is open or convenient for your machine. Check fuel availability directly before relying on a stop. Review [Fuel Between Black Hills Towns] as part of your planning, and give yourself enough range for a detour or a slow return. Carry fuel only in an approved container and secure it properly; avoid carrying more than you can safely manage.
For a longer ride, agree on a turnaround point before the group sets off. If fuel, weather, daylight, or a closure makes the plan less comfortable than expected, turn around while everyone still has a safe margin. It can be disappointing to shorten a ride, especially after arranging a day around it, but that is better than pressing on because the town at the far end seems close on a map.
Pack for a ride away from town
Bring the essentials you would want if a machine developed a problem outside cell range: water, food, weather-appropriate layers, a basic first-aid kit, and tools suited to your machine. A tire repair kit, air source, and the ability to contact help can make a manageable delay less stressful. Keep your phone charged, carry an offline map, and tell someone where you plan to ride and when you expect to check in.
Before rolling out, inspect tires, brakes, lights, fuel level, and any loose cargo. On a UTV, make sure passengers understand the seat-belt and door requirements for the machine. On an ATV, secure bags so they cannot shift into the controls. Bring eye protection and any required safety gear, even if the weather at the trailhead feels mild; conditions can change as elevation and exposure change.
Finally, ride with the assumption that other people are sharing the road. Slow down when visibility is reduced by dust, approach blind corners cautiously, and give other vehicles room. Keep to designated routes, avoid widening the road to pass, and do not leave litter behind. If your route passes through or near a town, check whether the roads you plan to use are actually legal for your machine rather than assuming a forest-road ride automatically permits riding on town streets.
A practical town-to-town planning checklist
Verify each segment before you leave
A reliable trip plan is more than a start point and destination. Write down the roads or route segments you intend to use, the relevant junctions, and your return option. Check the official map for each segment, then compare it with the conditions and closure information available before your ride. Mark a few decision points where you can stop and confirm that the group is still on the intended route.
If you are using onX Offroad or another navigation app, save the route for offline use and make sure the map covers the entire area. Do not count on live rerouting. A navigation tool can help you locate a junction, but it cannot make a closed road legal or tell you that a posted restriction can be ignored. When the map and signs appear to disagree, stop in a safe place and resolve the issue before proceeding.
Use the following checklist the evening before and again at the trailhead:
- Confirm the intended roads and trails are open to your vehicle.
- Check restrictions such as width, seasonal access, and vehicle type.
- Verify registration, plate, and permit requirements for every segment.
- Check the weather and look for current closure notices.
- Estimate fuel needs with a detour and slow travel in mind.
- Download maps for offline navigation and carry a backup plan.
- Tell someone your route and expected check-in time.
- Agree on a turnaround point and a plan if the group gets separated.
Choose a plan that leaves room for an easier day
Not every ride needs to connect two towns. If you are new to the area, unfamiliar with forest-road navigation, or unsure about your machine’s range, start with a shorter route from one base town. That gives you a chance to learn the road surface, junction signs, and local conditions without feeling committed to reaching a distant endpoint. You can build a longer ride later, once you know how your group handles the terrain and how much time the roads actually take.
If the goal is to spend time in the Black Hills rather than reach a particular town, choose a loop or out-and-back with a clear legal route and a comfortable fuel margin. A route with a reliable return option often makes for a more enjoyable day than a one-way plan that depends on perfect conditions. Keep your map accessible, obey posted restrictions, and be willing to adjust the itinerary when the ground conditions or signs call for it.
A little preparation can turn a confusing map into a safer, more relaxed ride. Confirm the route, match it to your machine, check conditions close to departure, and leave yourself options. That is the difference between simply aiming for another town and making a forest-road ride you can enjoy from the first junction to the last.
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.
