Riding Off a Route in the Hills
Riding off a route in the Hills can seem like a quick way around mud, a blocked trail, or a crowded staging area. But a visible track is not automatically an approved route, and a permit does not make cross-country riding legal. Here’s how to tell where you can ride, what to do when a route is blocked, and how to avoid an expensive mistake.
What riding off a route means in the Hills
On public land, riding off a route generally means taking a motorized vehicle somewhere other than a road or trail designated for that vehicle. That can include cutting across grass or forest, following an unmarked track, going around a gate, or leaving the route to reach a viewpoint. The ground may look rideable, but appearance alone does not establish permission.
The key question is not whether a tire track exists. It is whether the route is currently open to motorized use, and whether your machine is allowed on it. In the Black Hills, roads and trails can differ in width limits, seasonal access, and permitted vehicle types. A route that works for a narrow dirt bike may not be open to a wide side-by-side.
The route’s status can also depend on who manages the land. A Forest Service route, private ranch road, state recreation area, and county road may have different rules. A South Dakota trail permit does not grant permission to ride anywhere in the Hills. It does not override land-manager restrictions, open a closed route, or authorize cross-country travel.
A few common situations can count as riding off route:
- Leaving a designated trail to pass a muddy spot or fallen tree.
- Driving around a locked gate or a closure sign.
- Taking a faint two-track that is not shown as open on the current motorized-use map.
- Cutting across a meadow to rejoin a route farther ahead.
- Riding to an overlook, campsite, or hunting location without an approved connecting route.
A track can be old, informal, or created by someone riding illegally. It can also be a route intended for a different kind of use. Before relying on it, compare the map, signs, and any posted restrictions. South Dakota Trail Maps and MVUMs explains why the official map matters when planning a ride.
How to check whether a route is open
Use the current map for the land you plan to ride, rather than relying on a general recreation map, an old paper map, or a route shown in a phone app. A motorized-use map identifies routes open to motor vehicles and may include dates, vehicle restrictions, or other conditions. If a route is not designated for your type of vehicle, do not assume that a visible track makes it legal.
At a trailhead or junction, check posted signs too. Signs can show that a route is closed, restricted, or subject to seasonal rules. A closure may be temporary, for example because of weather, fire danger, maintenance, or resource protection. A route marked open on an older map may not be open under current conditions.
Before you ride, check:
- Who manages the land. Find out whether the route is on national forest, state, county, or private land. A route may cross more than one jurisdiction.
- Whether your machine is allowed. Check any width or vehicle-type limits. A route open to some OHVs may not be open to every ATV or UTV.
- Whether the route is open now. Look for current seasonal information, temporary closures, and signs at the access point.
- What equipment or permits apply. Confirm the requirements for that land and activity. Permit rules and route access are separate questions.
- Whether the entire trip is legal. Check connectors, turnarounds, and the return route, not just the main trail.
If a map and a sign appear to conflict, do not treat the more permissive one as a green light. Avoid the questionable route and check with the responsible land manager before riding. When you cannot confirm that a route is open, the practical choice is to stay on a route that is clearly designated and signed for your vehicle.
| Situation | What it means for your ride | Safer response |
|---|---|---|
| A visible track is missing from the current motorized-use map | The track is not confirmed as an open motorized route | Stay on the designated route and ask the land manager |
| A gate or closure sign blocks the way | Access may be restricted even if the map appears to show a route | Turn around; do not go around the barrier |
| A route is open but has a width restriction | Your machine may not qualify | Check the machine’s width against the route rules |
| A route is muddy or obstructed | The obstruction does not create permission to leave the route | Turn back or use an approved alternative |
| A route crosses private land | Public access cannot be assumed | Get permission from the landowner or choose another route |
For routes in the Black Hills National Forest, the official motorized-use map is an important planning tool, but it is not a substitute for field signs or current closure notices. Reading a Black Hills Travel Map and Checking a Forest Notice Before You Load Up can help you build map and closure checks into your trip.
Why permits and plates do not authorize off-route riding
Permits and plates serve specific purposes. A trail permit may be required for riding designated motorized trails, while a plate or other qualification may matter for certain road use. Neither one is blanket permission to travel off a designated route.
That distinction matters for visitors with an out-of-state plate. A machine that is properly registered at home may still need to meet South Dakota requirements for the kind of riding planned. And even where a plate or permit satisfies an administrative requirement, it does not make a closed trail or unmarked cross-country route legal. Does South Dakota Honor Out-of-State Registration? covers the reciprocity question; South Dakota Rules for Riding Federal Land addresses the separate land-access rules.
Use this simple test:
- Permit or plate: Does the machine meet the applicable registration or trail-permit requirement?
- Route: Is this specific road or trail open to motorized use?
- Machine: Is this vehicle type and width allowed there?
- Timing: Is the route open on the day you plan to ride?
- Land access: Does the route cross private property or another area with separate restrictions?
A “yes” to the permit question does not answer the other four. The same is true of a rental machine: having a decal, plate, or paperwork does not let you leave the routes the land manager has opened. If you are renting, ask the outfitter which areas and routes are permitted, and confirm any boundaries before setting out. Why a Plate Does Not Replace a Trail Permit explains one side of the paperwork issue, while Where the Black Hills Permit Stops Being Required helps distinguish permit coverage from access.
What to do when you cannot continue
When a route is blocked, the safest legal response is usually to stop, assess the situation, and return the way you came if it is safe to do so. Do not create a new route around a gate, washout, mud hole, or fallen tree. Going around the obstacle can damage vegetation and soil, widen the disturbed area, and put you beyond the designated route.
If turning around is unsafe, avoid improvising a path across nearby land. Contact the responsible land manager or emergency services if there is a genuine safety emergency. For a machine breakdown, use the designated route for recovery where possible and follow any local guidance. An obstacle or mechanical problem should not be treated as general permission to travel off route.
A few habits help prevent problems:
- Download or carry the current map before leaving areas with weak cell service.
- Mark the legal route and a return option before you start.
- Stop at junctions to read signs rather than following the most obvious tire tracks.
- Turn around before reaching a closure or a route your machine cannot use.
- Keep your machine on the established route, including when stopping for photos or regrouping.
- If you are unsure whether a side track is open, do not use it until you confirm.
If you realize you have left a designated route by mistake, stop rather than continuing farther. Return to the legal route by the shortest safe path, avoiding additional damage, and do not repeat the same shortcut. If a sign or map leaves you uncertain, contact the land manager before the next ride. Riding Past a Forest Closure Sign and What a Black Hills Forest Officer Cites Riders For offer more detail on closures and common enforcement concerns.
Staying on route protects access for other riders as well as the land. Repeated off-route use can damage fragile ground and lead to tighter restrictions or closures. Plan around the routes that are actually open, and treat an unmarked track as unavailable until you have reliable confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an existing tire track proof that I can ride there?
No. A track may be unofficial, closed, or intended for another use. Check the current motorized-use map and posted signs.
Does a South Dakota trail permit let me ride off the designated trail?
No. A permit does not authorize cross-country riding or override a closure. It applies only to the activities and routes covered by the relevant rules.
Can I go around a gate if the trail looks open beyond it?
Do not go around a gate or closure barrier. It may be blocking access for a reason that is not obvious from the trail.
What if a fallen tree or muddy section blocks the route?
Do not make a new track around it. Turn back if it is safe, use an approved alternative, or contact the land manager for guidance.
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.
