South Dakota ATV Trail Mileage by Width
A Black Hills ride can look wide-open on a map, then turn into a frustrating dead end when your machine is too wide for the trail. South Dakota’s motorized trail mileage is divided by vehicle-width designations, so the useful number is not just how many miles exist, but how many miles your ATV or UTV can legally travel. This guide explains the mileage categories and how to plan around them.
How South Dakota ATV trail mileage is divided
The mileage figures riders should know
South Dakota’s Black Hills motorized trail network is often described through several figures: about 600 miles of motorized trail, roughly 347 miles of trails for machines under 62 inches wide, about 90 miles of single-track, and around 148 miles open to all widths.
These figures describe different parts of the trail system, not necessarily four categories that can be added together to produce one exact total. A trail’s designation, the way a mileage figure is grouped, and the map or travel plan being used can affect how the numbers relate. Treat them as a helpful overview—not a guarantee that every mile is available to every machine or open on the day you ride.
The key takeaway for many ATV and UTV riders is the under-62-inch category. A machine that meets that limit may have access to a substantial network, while a wider side-by-side may need to focus on trails specifically open to all widths. The broader total can sound generous, but it doesn’t tell you how much riding is suitable for your particular machine.
For more on the individual categories, see [347 Miles Under 62 Inches], [90 Miles of Single-Track], and [148 Miles of Trail Open to All Widths]. Those designations matter more than the headline mileage when you are choosing a route.
What “open to all widths” means for your route
A trail marked open to all widths is the most straightforward option for a rider whose machine exceeds the narrow-trail limit. But “all widths” is not the same as “all routes.” You still need to follow the posted motorized route, seasonal access rules, closures, and any other restrictions that apply to the area.
This distinction is easy to miss when planning a loop. You might spot a wide trail that appears to connect two destinations, then discover that the next segment is restricted to narrower machines. If your UTV cannot use that segment, you may have to turn back or reroute. Before setting out, check every leg of the planned ride rather than confirming only the trailhead and destination.
The overall mileage also doesn’t tell you how a route will feel. A short stretch of narrow, rocky trail can be more challenging than several miles of wider road. Consider the machine’s width, your group’s experience, trail surface, elevation changes, and room to turn around when comparing routes.
Check your machine’s width before choosing trails
Measure outside tire to outside tire
Trail-width limits apply to the machine, not just to the width listed in a sales brochure. A practical measurement is from the outside edge of one tire to the outside edge of the tire on the opposite side. Measure the machine as you intend to ride it, including any accessories that could affect its overall width.
Use level ground and keep the tires straight so the measurement is consistent. If you are close to a limit, measure carefully rather than rounding down. Tire size, wheel setup, spacers, and add-on equipment can make the real-world width different from what you expected. This is especially worth checking before a trip with a borrowed, rented, or newly modified machine.
A tape measure at home can prevent a difficult conversation at a trail entrance. If your measurement is near the cutoff, verify how the applicable land manager defines and applies the limit. The details are covered in [How South Dakota Measures Trail Width] and [South Dakota Trail Width Limits].
Match the measurement to the trail designation
Once you know your machine’s width, compare it with the designation shown for each trail. A machine that fits a width-restricted route may be able to use that route, but the designation is only one part of the access check. Confirm that the route is open for motorized use and that no current restriction or closure changes what you can ride.
For a wider UTV, start with routes identified as open to all widths. Then look at the connections between those routes. A route plan that includes one unrestricted segment and one width-restricted connector may not work for your machine, even if most of the planned mileage is suitable.
onX Offroad can be useful as a planning aid for viewing routes and organizing a ride, particularly when you want to compare possible connections before leaving home. Use it alongside official travel maps and posted information rather than treating an app view as the final word on access. For the basics of reading route information, see [South Dakota Trail Maps and MVUMs].
Plan a ride around usable mileage, not the headline total
Build a route for the machine you actually have
Start with the machine’s measured width, then identify trails that match that designation. Sketch a route that stays within those trails from beginning to end, including the return leg. Pay close attention to junctions: it is easy to follow an appropriate trail for miles and then accidentally continue onto a route with a narrower restriction.
For example, imagine a group with two narrow ATVs and one wide side-by-side. A trail network that looks ideal to the ATV riders may not provide a legal connection for the wider machine. The group should plan around routes all three vehicles can use, or separate the rides. Trying to improvise at a junction can leave the group split up or force a long retreat.
If you are choosing a route for a wide machine, [South Dakota Trails for a Wide Machine] is a useful next read. For a broader view of the network and its mileage, use [South Dakota ATV Trail Mileage] as a companion to the width information.
| Trail designation or figure | What it helps you understand | What to check before riding |
|---|---|---|
| About 600 miles of motorized trail | The approximate scale of the trail network | Which routes are open to your machine |
| About 347 miles for machines under 62 inches | The mileage associated with a width-restricted category | Your machine’s measured width and each route’s designation |
| About 90 miles of single-track | The scale of designated single-track routes | Whether the route is appropriate and permitted for your vehicle |
| About 148 miles open to all widths | A useful starting point for wider machines | Current access, closures, and connections to other routes |
These figures are planning context, not a promise that every listed mile will be open or suitable for your trip. For a more complete explanation of the route system, review [South Dakota Trail Width Limits] along with current official maps.
Check closures and conditions close to departure
A route that appears on a map may be temporarily unavailable because of weather, trail conditions, fire restrictions, maintenance, or another closure. In the Black Hills, conditions can vary across the network, so don’t assume that a trail you rode previously is still open or in the same condition.
Check current notices before loading the machine, then look again near the trailhead for signs or posted restrictions. Pay particular attention to route entrances and junctions. A closure sign is not a suggestion to find a nearby shortcut; stay on authorized routes and adjust the plan.
onX Offroad can help you keep a planned route organized, but use official notices to confirm access before riding. Keep a map available in a form you can use if your phone loses service, and make sure everyone in the group understands the planned route and turnaround points. For a practical pre-ride check, see [South Dakota Trail Conditions Before You Ride].
Common mileage and width-planning mistakes
Assuming every ATV or UTV can ride every trail
The phrase “ATV trail” can sound like a blanket invitation to bring any off-highway vehicle. In practice, trails may have width limits or be designated for a particular type of machine. A route suitable for a narrow ATV may not be suitable for a wider side-by-side, even when both vehicles are commonly described as off-road machines.
This can matter especially when traveling with friends who have different equipment. Agree on a route that works for the widest machine in the group, and confirm that each vehicle fits the applicable designation. If that means choosing fewer miles, it is better to know before setting off than to discover the mismatch halfway through a loop.
Treating map mileage as a promise of access
A mileage total is a useful overview, but it doesn’t answer every practical question. It doesn’t tell you whether a segment is currently closed, whether your machine meets the width requirement, or whether two routes connect in a way that works for your planned ride. Even a route shown on a planning map should be checked against official travel information and signs on the ground.
A good routine is to confirm machine width, review the designated routes, check for closures, and plan a route with a sensible turnaround option. That few minutes of preparation can save a long backtrack—and help keep riders on permitted trails.
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.
