Riding Where All Widths Are Welcome
A wide UTV can turn a Black Hills ride into a frustrating stop if the route narrows to a trail built for smaller machines. In South Dakota, some designated motorized trails are open to vehicles of all widths, while others have width limits. This guide explains how to find the right routes, check your machine’s width, and plan a ride without relying on guesswork.
What “all widths welcome” means on a South Dakota trail
All-width routes are different from trails under 62 inches
In the Black Hills, motorized routes can have different width rules. Some trails are limited to machines under 62 inches wide; others are open to all widths. That distinction matters if you ride a side-by-side, a modified ATV, or another machine that may be wider than a standard trail’s limit.
“All widths” does not mean a route is unrestricted in every other way. It means the route is not limited by that particular vehicle-width category. You still need to follow posted closures, stay on designated routes, meet permit requirements, and respect any other restrictions shown on the current map or at the trailhead.
A broad road may look like a good fit for a wide UTV, but appearance alone is not enough. A route can narrow, cross into a restricted segment, or connect with trails that have a different designation. Check the official route information before setting out, especially when planning a loop rather than an out-and-back ride.
Measure your machine before you choose a route
Trail-width categories make more sense once you know your machine’s actual width. Measure from the outside edge of one tire to the outside edge of the tire on the opposite side. Do not rely only on a model’s advertised dimensions: aftermarket wheels, tires, spacers, or other modifications can change the measurement.
For example, a UTV listed as just under a width limit may exceed it after wider tires are installed. If you are close to the cutoff, measure the machine on level ground and check the route map’s definition of the category. The practical guide [Measuring Outside Tire to Outside Tire] can help clarify what to measure.
A side-by-side that is over the limit for a narrower trail may still have appropriate routes available. The key is to build your day around designated all-width options instead of assuming a wider machine can use every road or trail that looks passable.
An all-width designation does not remove other rules
Width is only one part of ride planning. A route can be open to all widths and still be closed seasonally, temporarily restricted, or subject to other motorized-use requirements. Check for current forest notices and read signs at the trailhead. If a sign or closure conflicts with an older map or a saved route, follow the posted restriction and confirm the route before continuing.
It is also worth separating road use from trail use. A plated machine may be permitted on some roads where it can legally travel, but that does not automatically make it acceptable on a restricted motorized trail. Likewise, a trail permit does not grant permission to ride outside an open route. For background, see [South Dakota Trail Permits Explained] and [Why a Plate Does Not Replace a Trail Permit].
Where to look for all-width riding in the Black Hills
Start with the official motorized-use map
The most reliable starting point is the current Black Hills National Forest motorized-use map, often referred to as a Motor Vehicle Use Map or MVUM. Use it to identify routes open to motorized vehicles, check the applicable width category, and see whether a route is seasonal or otherwise restricted. A general recreation map may show roads without providing the detail you need to determine whether a particular segment is open to your machine.
The Black Hills has a network of forest roads and motorized trails, but the total mileage available to a specific machine depends on the route designation. A map may show many lines while only some are open to the vehicle type and width you are using. The guide [South Dakota Trail Maps and MVUMs] explains why matching your planned route to the right map matters.
Pay attention to where routes join. A road that is open to all widths may connect to a narrower trail, so a loop that looks continuous on a phone screen may not be legal for your machine from end to end. Trace the route segment by segment before you ride, and note places where you can turn around if the route changes designation.
Look for routes explicitly marked open to all widths
The Black Hills motorized system includes routes designated for all widths, alongside narrower trails. Rather than choosing a destination solely because it is popular or close to your lodging, look for the all-width designation on the current official map and plan around confirmed segments. If you are searching for a broader overview, [Riding Where All Widths Are Welcome] is a useful companion to route-level planning.
A practical approach is to choose a staging area, identify one or more confirmed all-width routes nearby, and then plan a conservative out-and-back ride. This can be easier than assembling a long loop with several connections, especially if you are new to the area or riding a wide machine for the first time. You can add mileage once you are confident about the route markings and the machine’s fit.
Trail access and conditions can vary with the season. Some Black Hills routes have seasonal operating periods, and weather, maintenance, or fire restrictions may affect access. Before loading the machine, check the latest forest notices and the relevant district information. For seasonal planning, see [South Dakota's May to December Trail Season] and [South Dakota Trail Closures to Check First].
Use navigation apps as a planning aid, not final permission
A GPS app can make it easier to follow a route once you are on the ground. onX Offroad can help riders review mapped routes, save trip plans, and keep track of where they are when phone service is limited. Those features can be helpful in the Black Hills, where a route may take you away from towns and reliable cell coverage.
Still, a line displayed in an app is not, by itself, proof that a route is open to your machine. Map layers can differ, and conditions or restrictions can change. Compare your planned track with the current official MVUM and any closure notices. Download maps or route information before leaving cell service, and carry a dependable backup if your phone battery runs low or the device fails.
If you use onX Offroad, take time before the ride to confirm which map layer you are viewing and whether the route matches the official motorized-use designation. Do not keep following a saved track when signs indicate a closure or when the route appears to enter a restricted area. A navigation tool is most useful when it supports good preparation, not when it replaces it.
| Planning question | What to check |
|---|---|
| Is the route open to my machine’s width? | Confirm the route designation on the current official motorized-use map |
| Is the whole loop suitable? | Check every connecting segment, not just the first road |
| Is the route open today? | Review seasonal information, closure notices, and trailhead signs |
| Will navigation work offline? | Download maps and route details before leaving reliable service |
| Do I have the necessary permit? | Check the applicable trail-permit rules for the machine and riding area |
How to plan a ride for a wide ATV or UTV
Build the route around confirmed segments
Begin with a short list of routes that are clearly marked open to all widths. Then check each connection between them. It is easy to plan a loop by tracing visible roads on a screen, but an unverified connector can force a choice between backtracking and entering a route that is not open to your vehicle.
For a first ride, an out-and-back route is often simpler. You can learn how the trail surface feels, see how quickly your group travels, and avoid surprises at an unfamiliar junction. Once you understand the area and have confirmed the connecting routes, you can plan a longer loop with more confidence.
Make a note of a few decision points: where you will turn around, where the route could narrow, and where you can stop to check your map without blocking other riders. That small bit of preparation can make a busy trail day feel much less stressful.
Check permits, access, and equipment before leaving
Confirm what permit or decal is required for the area and machine you plan to ride. Requirements can depend on where you ride and whether the machine is plated, so do not assume that a permit for one type of access covers every route. Keep required documentation available and make sure any decal is mounted as directed.
Your machine should also be ready for the terrain and the length of the ride. Check tire condition, brakes, fuel, lights, and basic recovery gear. Carry water, a first-aid kit, and a way to contact your group if riders become separated. In a larger UTV group, agree on a pace and a regrouping point before anyone starts riding ahead.
A wide machine may have less room to maneuver on tight turns or around obstacles, even on a route open to all widths. Give other riders room, slow down when visibility is limited, and avoid stopping in a narrow section where oncoming traffic may not see you in time.
Plan for changing conditions
Black Hills weather and trail conditions can shift during a trip. Rain may make a route slippery, while dry conditions can bring dust and reduce visibility behind other vehicles. Fire restrictions or other closures can also affect where riding is allowed. Check notices before leaving and again if you are staying in the area for several days.
Keep a flexible backup plan. If a route closes or conditions make it unsuitable, switch to another confirmed all-width segment rather than improvising onto a route with unclear rules. If you are uncertain at a junction, stop somewhere safe and check the map or signs before proceeding.
onX Offroad can be useful for keeping a planned track available offline, but save the official map information too. Comparing your digital route with the official designation helps reduce the chance of mistaking a convenient line on the screen for an open route.
Common mistakes to avoid
Treating “all widths” as permission to go anywhere
The phrase refers to a width designation, not unrestricted access. It does not mean a machine can leave the marked route, cross private land, or continue through a posted closure. Stay on designated routes and follow signs even if the track appears well used.
Do not assume a road is open just because another vehicle has driven it. A visible track can be unauthorized, seasonally closed, or restricted to a different class of vehicle. Confirm the route before riding, and turn around when its status is unclear rather than risking an avoidable citation or damaging access for others.
Trusting an old screenshot or saved route
A screenshot can be handy when cell service disappears, but it may not show the latest closure or route designation. Before your trip, compare saved information with the current official map and notices. If you have not checked a route recently, do not assume that it remains open simply because it appears in a previous trip plan.
It also helps to keep a paper or downloaded reference map available. Phones can overheat, lose charge, or become difficult to read in bright sunlight. A backup map and a charged power bank are simple safeguards, particularly when your ride is far from a town or staging area.
Assuming every wide UTV has the same route options
Two machines that look similar can have different widths because of tire or suspension changes. Measure your own vehicle rather than borrowing a friend’s number. If your machine is near a posted limit, be especially careful about the route category and how the map defines it.
Before committing to a full day, choose routes that clearly fit your machine and experience level. The Black Hills offer a range of riding opportunities, but a good trip is not about covering the most ground. It is about choosing legal routes that suit your group, staying aware of conditions, and returning without a last-minute scramble at a trail junction.
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.
