South Dakota Trails for a Wide Machine
A wide side-by-side can turn a Black Hills ride into a frustrating game of checking signs if you choose a route before checking its width limits. South Dakota has designated motorized trails with different machine-width rules, so the key is matching your vehicle’s actual tire-to-tire width to the routes open to it. This guide explains how to measure, plan, and avoid an unsuitable trail.
Understand South Dakota trail width limits
Why machine width matters
Some designated motorized trails in the Black Hills have a width limit, while others are open to machines of all widths. A side-by-side that fits on an all-width route may be prohibited on a narrower trail, even if it seems physically possible to squeeze through. The limit is about whether the route is open to your machine—not simply whether you can get between the trees.
The commonly referenced cutoff is 62 inches. The Black Hills motorized trail system includes routes under 62 inches and routes open to all widths. The network figures commonly used for planning include about 347 miles under 62 inches and 148 miles open to all widths. Treat those numbers as a starting point, not a promise that every segment is currently available. Seasonal schedules, closures, and route-specific restrictions can affect what you can ride.
This distinction can matter even if your vehicle is marketed as a compact UTV. A model name or advertised category does not tell you whether your particular setup fits a route’s rule. Added accessories or changes to the vehicle can affect its overall width, and a machine that is close to the limit deserves a careful measurement before you set off.
For a broader look at route categories and planning, see [South Dakota Trail Width Limits] and [South Dakota Trails for a Wide Machine].
Measure the machine you will actually ride
Measure from the outside edge of one tire to the outside edge of the tire opposite it. This outside-to-outside measurement is more useful for trail planning than relying on a manufacturer’s listed vehicle width, which may describe the body or another measurement point. Follow the measuring guidance in [Measuring Outside Tire to Outside Tire].
Measure the machine as it will be ridden. If you have changed the tires, wheels, or suspension, or added equipment that affects width, don’t assume the original specification still applies. Park on level ground, keep the wheels straight, and measure across the widest tire points. If the result is close to 62 inches, check the applicable rule and route information before treating the vehicle as eligible for a narrower trail.
It helps to write the measurement down and keep it with your riding notes. When traveling with friends, measure every machine rather than assuming that two similar-looking UTVs have the same dimensions. A group can end up splitting up or changing plans when one vehicle is wider than the others.
Read maps for restrictions, not just mileage
A route map can show you where trails go, but you also need to know which routes suit your machine. Look for width classifications and current closure information, then confirm that the route you intend to ride is open for the dates of your trip. A line that appears connected on a map may not be a legal or suitable connection for a wide vehicle.
Digital tools such as onX Offroad can help you review routes and organize a trip, especially when you are comparing possible trail connections. Use a mapping app as a planning aid rather than treating it as the final word on current access. Check official motorized trail information and posted signs before riding, and follow a closure even if a digital map still shows the route.
Choose routes that fit a wide UTV
Start with all-width routes
If your machine measures more than 62 inches, or you simply want to avoid uncertainty about a narrow trail, begin your planning with routes identified as open to all widths. That narrows the search and helps you avoid building a day around trails your vehicle cannot use.
The all-width mileage is a smaller part of the broader motorized trail network, so a wide-machine ride may require more deliberate route planning. Instead of choosing a destination first and hoping the route works, identify the eligible roads or trails and then plan a loop around them. Check the connection points carefully: a suitable segment does not make every adjoining segment suitable for your machine.
A good practical approach is to pick a manageable route, identify where you can turn around, and note any alternate roads or trails that remain within the rules. If a route becomes blocked by a closure or you reach a section with a restriction, a planned alternative can prevent a frustrating scramble to find your way back.
Compare routes before you load the trailer
Use a simple planning checklist before committing to a ride:
| Planning question | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| How wide is the machine? | Measure outside tire to outside tire with the current setup |
| Is the route open to that width? | Check the route’s width classification |
| Is the route open on your riding date? | Review seasonal access and current closures |
| Does the planned loop rely on a narrow connector? | Verify every segment, not just the main destination |
| Is a permit required? | Check the applicable trail permit requirements |
| What is the backup plan? | Identify an eligible alternate route or turnaround point |
This may feel like a lot of homework when you are eager to get riding, but it is much easier to resolve at home than at a trail entrance with a trailer behind you. A few minutes spent checking the map can also prevent a group from discovering halfway through the day that the route ahead is not appropriate for one of its machines.
onX Offroad can be useful for comparing route options and keeping a planned ride organized. Still, check current official information and signs for restrictions and closures. If two sources appear to disagree, don’t assume the more convenient route is allowed; verify before riding.
Know when a forest road may work better
Not every ride needs to be built around a narrow motorized trail. Forest roads may offer another way to explore the Black Hills, but their access rules and conditions still matter. Confirm that the road is open to your vehicle and that your planned use is permitted. Do not treat a road shown on a map as an automatic legal connection between trails.
A wide machine may also be slower or less comfortable on a tight route, even where the route is open to all widths. Consider the terrain, turns, surface, traffic, and room to pass. A route that is technically suitable can still feel awkward for a large vehicle, particularly when meeting other riders or negotiating a narrow section.
For more context on the wider network and planning choices, read [3,600 Miles of South Dakota Forest Road] and [South Dakota Trail Maps and MVUMs]. Check the information that applies to your specific ride rather than relying on a general mileage figure to tell you whether a particular road is open.
Plan a trip without getting caught by a closure
Check seasonal access and conditions
Black Hills motorized trails are not necessarily open year-round. Many trails have seasonal opening and closing dates, and weather, fire danger, maintenance, or other conditions can affect access. A route that worked on a previous visit may be closed during a later trip, so check before leaving rather than relying on memory.
Conditions matter for wide machines, too. A wet or damaged trail can be harder to navigate, and turning around may be difficult where the route is tight. If the weather has changed or a closure is posted, adjust the plan instead of trying to push through. A legal route on the map is not an invitation to ride past a gate or closure sign.
For timing and conditions, consult [South Dakota's May to December Trail Season] and [South Dakota Trail Closures to Check First]. Keep a backup plan that uses routes suitable for your machine, and make sure everyone in your group knows what to do if the planned route is unavailable.
Confirm permits and route rules
Before riding, check which permit requirements apply to your machine and the area you plan to use. Trail permit rules can depend on where you ride and what kind of machine you have. Don’t assume that a road plate replaces a trail permit, or that a permit makes a closed or width-restricted route available.
If you are visiting from out of state, take the time to check the rules for visiting riders as well. A permit, plate, or registration from home may not answer every question about riding in South Dakota. [South Dakota Trail Permits Explained] provides a useful starting point, but confirm the requirements for your particular trip before you leave.
Keep the permit information and route notes accessible, and follow posted instructions at trailheads and intersections. If the signs indicate a restriction or closure that conflicts with what you expected, pause and verify the route rather than continuing on assumption.
Build a realistic day around the machine
A wide UTV can be a comfortable choice for carrying passengers and gear, but the vehicle’s size affects the routes available to you. Plan a ride with enough time to travel at a sensible pace, take breaks, and deal with a detour. Avoid promising a full day of mileage before checking how much of your chosen route is actually open to your width category.
If you are riding in a group, share the route plan in advance. Confirm that every machine can use each section and agree on a regrouping point if someone needs to turn around. A group leader can keep a map handy, but every rider should understand the basic route and know that posted restrictions take priority.
Use onX Offroad or another planning tool to save possible routes and orient yourself, then verify access using current official information. That combination is more dependable than relying on a single map layer. For trail choices by area and vehicle fit, explore [South Dakota ATV Trails for a Wide Machine] and [South Dakota Trails for a Wide Machine].
A practical pre-ride checklist for wide machines
Before you leave home
Measure the machine you are taking, not a similar model you rode last year. Write down its outside tire-to-outside tire width, note any modifications, and compare that measurement with the routes you want to use. If it is near the 62-inch cutoff, be especially careful about how the relevant restriction applies.
Then check the route segment by segment. Confirm seasonal access, look for current closures, and check whether your planned connections are open to your machine. Identify an alternate route that is also suitable, rather than assuming you can improvise once you arrive.
Finally, sort out permits and other requirements before loading up. Keep the information with your trip details so you are not searching for it at a trailhead with poor service or a group waiting to ride.
At the trailhead and on the route
Read signs before entering. Trailhead information and posted signs can clarify restrictions and closures that may not be obvious from a general map. If a sign says the route is closed or limited to narrower machines, do not enter simply because another vehicle appears to have done so.
Stay on designated routes and be considerate when meeting other riders. A wide UTV may need more room to pass or turn around, so slow down and avoid blocking a narrow section. If the trail ahead no longer matches your plan, stop somewhere safe and consult your map before continuing.
A wide-machine ride in South Dakota can be enjoyable with a little extra preparation. Measure first, choose routes that explicitly fit the machine, and recheck access close to the trip. The goal is not to memorize every trail rule; it is to avoid discovering the important restriction only after you have committed to the route.
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.
