The Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota

The Black Hills can look like one enormous playground on a map, but not every forest road or track is open to ATVs and UTVs. Riders can also run into width limits, seasonal closures, permit rules, and confusing map layers. This guide explains how to find legal motorized routes, choose trails that fit your machine, and plan a safer ride in South Dakota’s Black Hills.

Table of Contents

Understand the Black Hills National Forest riding area

Forest roads and motorized trails are different

The Black Hills National Forest offers a broad network of roads and designated motorized trails, but those terms are not interchangeable. A road may be open to some motor vehicles while a nearby trail is restricted by vehicle type, width, or season. A route that looks rideable on the ground is not automatically open to public motorized use.

That distinction matters when planning a ride from places such as Rapid City, Sturgis, Spearfish, Deadwood, Hill City, or Custer. A route can begin on a legal forest road and then connect to a trail with different rules. Before you leave the staging area, confirm that each segment of your intended route is open to your vehicle and that the connections between segments are legal too.

Treat official route information as the deciding reference, not a line on a general-purpose map or a track someone shared online. A route may have changed because of maintenance, weather, fire, or a seasonal restriction. For map basics and how to interpret route information, see [South Dakota Trail Maps and MVUMs].

The landscape changes from one ride to the next

The Black Hills are not a single, uniform riding environment. You may move from ponderosa pine and shaded forest roads to open ridges, rocky sections, and exposed ground where wind and dust are part of the day. Elevation and terrain vary, and a route that feels easy near one trailhead may become more demanding as it climbs or crosses rougher ground.

The region’s towns make convenient starting points, but distance on a map can be misleading. A short drive from Deadwood or Hill City may put you at a different trail network, surface, or elevation than you expect. Allow time for loading, checking route signs, adjusting tire pressure if appropriate for your machine, and stopping to confirm your position at junctions.

A successful Black Hills ride is often less about covering the most miles and more about matching the route to your group. A newer rider may be perfectly happy with a conservative loop on easier roads, while an experienced rider may want a longer day that includes more challenging terrain. Planning for the least experienced person in the group usually makes the whole ride better.

Find routes that are legal for your machine

Start with the official motor vehicle use map

The Motor Vehicle Use Map, often called the MVUM, is a key planning tool because it shows which routes are designated for motorized use and what restrictions apply. Pay attention to route identifiers, vehicle designations, seasonal dates, and any notes about width or access. The map may be less visually polished than a recreational app, but its official route designations are what matter when you are deciding where you may ride.

Check the map before the trip, then check it again close to departure. Do not assume that a route remains open because it was open on a previous visit. Temporary closures, fire restrictions, storm damage, and maintenance can affect access, and signs at a trailhead or junction may reflect a closure that was not on an older map.

A navigation app can help you stay oriented, but use it as a companion to official route information rather than a substitute. Riders sometimes use onX Offroad to plan a route and understand nearby roads, then compare that plan with the MVUM and local notices. Save maps for offline use if you expect to ride beyond dependable cell coverage, and keep a backup way to navigate.

Verify every connection, not only the main trail

A common planning mistake is checking the headline route but overlooking the roads needed to reach it. Your route may involve a forest road from the staging area, a connector, a motorized trail, and a return road. If even one segment is closed or not designated for your vehicle, the planned loop may not work as expected.

Trace the entire route in order. Note where you will turn, where there are junctions, and where you might need to turn around if a closure blocks access. If you are using onX Offroad or another mapping tool, compare each segment against official information and make sure the map is showing the correct route category. A screen that displays a line does not establish that the line is legal for your machine.

At the trailhead, read the signs before unloading or setting off. Signs may clarify local restrictions, closures, or seasonal access. If a sign conflicts with an older printed map or an app, do not ride past it on the assumption that your other source must be right. Stop, reassess the route, and use a legal alternative.

Match route width and difficulty to your ATV or UTV

Measure your machine before you pick a trail

Width restrictions can determine whether a UTV fits a particular trail, so do not rely on the model name or the width listed in a sales brochure. The relevant measurement may include tires, wheels, or other parts that extend beyond the body. Measure the machine as it is actually equipped, including any accessories that change its outside width.

This is especially important if you have added wider tires, wheel spacers, doors, mirrors, or other equipment. A machine that was within a limit when new may no longer meet it after modifications. If you are close to a posted threshold, measure carefully rather than assuming the difference is small enough not to matter.

Trail networks may include routes for narrower machines as well as routes that allow wider vehicles. The route designation, not another rider’s opinion or the size of the trail entrance, determines where your machine is allowed. For a closer look at how those categories affect trip planning, read [South Dakota ATV Trail Mileage by Width].

Choose difficulty with the whole group in mind

A trail’s difficulty is not just a question of whether the vehicle can physically fit. Consider the steepness, loose rock, surface conditions, turning space, exposure, and the experience of the people riding. A stock machine and a confident driver may handle a route differently from a heavily loaded vehicle with a new operator, even when both meet the same width requirement.

If your group includes beginners or children, choose a route that leaves room for slower progress and breaks. A difficult hill can become stressful when riders feel rushed, especially if there is traffic behind them or limited space to stop. Give everyone a chance to discuss the route before you reach a challenging section, and agree that turning around is a reasonable decision.

Do not assume that a wider or more powerful machine makes every route easier. A large UTV can be comfortable on an open road but awkward on a narrow trail or tight turn. Likewise, a smaller ATV may have an easier time fitting through a narrow section but still require careful riding on loose rock or a steep descent. Route choice should fit the vehicle, the driver, and the day’s conditions.

Planning question	What to check	Why it matters
Is the route open to motorized use?	Official MVUM and current closure notices	A visible track is not proof of legal access
Does the route allow your vehicle type?	Route designation and posted signs	Rules can vary between roads and trails
Does your machine meet the width limit?	Actual outside measurement, including tires and accessories	Modifications can change eligibility
Is the route suitable for your group?	Terrain, experience, weather, and available turnaround points	The same route can feel very different to different riders
Is your map usable offline?	Downloaded map and backup navigation plan	Cell service may be limited in parts of the forest

Plan around seasons, weather, and closures

Seasonal access can vary by route

Motorized access in the Black Hills is seasonal, and the opening and closing dates can differ across routes. Some trails are commonly associated with a mid-May opening period, while others may not open until later in the summer. Seasonal dates are not a promise that every trail will be ready on that day: weather, maintenance, and local conditions can affect access.

Before choosing a date, look up the specific route rather than relying on a broad statement such as “the trails are open in summer.” A trail that is available during one part of the season may close later, and a nearby road may have a different schedule. The details are easier to confirm before you have a trailer loaded and a group waiting at the trailhead.

For a route-level overview of seasonal windows, see [Trails Open May 15 to December 15]. Use it as a prompt to verify the actual route and current notices, not as a reason to assume that every segment is open for the entire period.

Weather can change the ride quickly

A clear morning in the Black Hills does not guarantee a comfortable afternoon. A summer thunderstorm can turn loose surfaces slick, reduce visibility, and make a route more difficult than it looked during planning. Rain can also leave mud and standing water that slow a group down or create a need to turn back.

Wind and dust deserve attention too, especially on exposed roads where visibility can deteriorate behind another vehicle. Leave enough following distance to see around dust, and avoid riding so close that the person in front becomes your only reference point. Fog can also make ridges and forest junctions harder to recognize, so slow down rather than trying to maintain the pace you had in clear weather.

Check the forecast for the area you will ride, not only the town where you are staying. Conditions around Spearfish, Lead, Deadwood, or a higher section of the Hills may differ from those in Rapid City. If the forecast or trail conditions turn poor, changing to a shorter, easier route—or postponing the ride—is sensible trip planning, not a failed outing.

Choose a starting point and build a practical day

Pick a staging area that fits your plan

The best starting point depends on where you are staying, what kind of route you want, and how much time you have. Riders based near Rapid City may look for convenient access west of town, while visitors staying in Deadwood, Spearfish, Hill City, or Custer may prefer to stage closer to their lodging. These towns are useful reference points, but the actual trailhead and route access should guide your decision.

Before towing to a staging area, confirm that it is appropriate for your vehicle and trailer. Check whether parking is available, whether overnight parking is allowed, and whether there are restrictions that could affect a large trailer. A tight parking area or a full trailhead can create a frustrating start, particularly during busy travel periods.

When exploring routes near Rapid City, use [South Dakota ATV Trails Near Rapid City] as a starting point for comparing options. Then verify the exact route, access point, and current restrictions. The same approach works for other towns: use a regional overview to narrow your choices, then validate the specific route before setting out.

Keep the day’s route realistic

Build a ride around the time you actually have, not the distance you hope to cover. Stop-and-go riding, navigation checks, photo breaks, changing weather, and slower riders all add time. A route that looks manageable on a screen can take much longer when you account for junctions, rough stretches, and the time needed to regroup.

Agree on a turnaround time before departure. This helps prevent the group from continuing farther into the forest simply because the ride has been enjoyable so far. Leave a buffer for unexpected delays, and do not plan a route that depends on reaching a distant junction just before dark.

Share the route plan with someone who is not riding with you. Include where you expect to stage, which general area you plan to ride, and when you expect to be back. If you change plans, send an update when possible. This small habit is especially useful when a group is unfamiliar with the area or expects to ride where phone reception may be unreliable.

Understand permits and riding boundaries

Do not confuse road access with trail access

Permits and vehicle requirements can depend on where you ride. A forest road, a designated motorized trail, a state or county road, and a private access road may each have different rules. A vehicle plate does not automatically mean that every forest trail is open to you, and a trail permit does not give permission to ride on a closed route or private land.

For motorized trail use, check the requirements that apply to the specific area and type of vehicle. The Black Hills motorized trail permit is a separate consideration from general road registration questions. Review [South Dakota's Motorized Trail Permit] before the trip, and confirm whether your machine and intended route require the permit.

If your ride crosses between different land managers or route types, check the rules for each part of the trip. Do not assume that a permit or permission that applies in one area carries over to the next. When a route boundary is unclear, stop and verify instead of riding on and hoping the rules are the same.

Keep your machine on designated routes

Riding off a designated route can damage vegetation and soil, disturb wildlife, and create conflicts with other forest users. It can also take you into an area that is closed even when the nearby road is open. Stay on the route shown as open for your vehicle and obey barriers, closure signs, and posted restrictions.

Do not treat an old tire track as evidence of public access. A track may have been made by an authorized worker, a landowner, or someone who was not following the rules. The same caution applies to routes shown on social media or shared by a friend. A track can help you orient yourself, but it does not replace official route information.

Respect private property and grazing areas around the forest as well. A route that appears to continue beyond a boundary may not be public. If you are uncertain about access, stop before entering and confirm who manages the land. Responsible route choices help preserve access for riders and reduce tension with nearby landowners and other visitors.

Ride safely and be ready to change plans

Cell coverage can be unreliable in parts of the Black Hills, particularly when terrain blocks a signal or you move away from populated areas. Download your maps before leaving town, make sure your phone is charged, and consider carrying a separate power source. If you are using onX Offroad, confirm that the relevant map area is available offline before you lose service.

Do not let a phone become your only navigation tool. A paper map, a written route plan, or another backup can help if a device battery dies or an app freezes. Keep the map accessible without needing to unpack the entire vehicle, and make sure more than one person in the group understands the route.

Set a simple regrouping plan. For example, agree that riders will wait at major junctions and that no one will leave the group without telling the others. If someone falls behind, the rest of the group should not keep splitting into smaller groups in the hope of finding them. A clear plan is calmer and safer than improvising when a rider is unexpectedly out of sight.

Pack for the ride you may have, not only the ride you expect

Carry water, food, weather-appropriate layers, and basic first-aid supplies. Bring the items you need to manage a minor problem, such as a flat tire or a loose component, within your own ability and equipment. The right kit varies by machine and route, but the principle is simple: plan for a delay without assuming help will arrive immediately.

Check your ATV or UTV before loading. Look at tires, brakes, lights, fuel, steering, and any protective equipment relevant to your machine. Secure cargo so that it cannot shift, and avoid loading in a way that interferes with visibility or handling. A quick inspection at home is easier than discovering a problem at a remote trailhead.

Finally, be willing to shorten the ride. A weather shift, fatigue, a vehicle issue, or an uncomfortable section can be a good reason to turn back. The Black Hills will still be there for another visit. Leaving with the whole group safe and your machine in good shape is a better outcome than pushing through a plan that no longer makes sense.

Check conditions before you tow and before you ride

Review notices close to departure

Route information can change between the time you first plan a trip and the day you arrive. Before towing into the forest, look for current notices about closures, fire conditions, maintenance, or other access changes. Check again at the staging area, where signs may provide more immediate guidance about the routes nearby.

For a useful pre-trip checklist, see [South Dakota Trail Conditions Before You Ride] and [South Dakota Trail Closures to Check First]. These checks are particularly important after heavy rain, strong winds, or a dry stretch when fire restrictions may affect where and how people can travel.

Keep your plans flexible. If your preferred route is closed, choose a verified alternative rather than trying to work around a barrier or follow an unofficial track. A closure is not an invitation to find another way through. It is a clear signal to stop and make a different plan.

Make a final route check at the trailhead

At the staging area, compare your planned route with the signs and any posted information. Confirm that the route is open, that your vehicle is allowed, and that you have the right permit or documentation for the area. If a sign is unclear, take time to resolve the question before unloading or moving into the forest.

Use a navigation app, including onX Offroad if that is part of your usual setup, to help track your position and identify junctions. Keep the official map or route information available too. The goal is not to follow the most convenient line on a screen; it is to stay oriented while remaining on a route that is designated and open.

Once underway, reassess as conditions change. If you encounter a closure sign, a damaged section, poor visibility, or a route that is beyond the group’s comfort level, stop and decide together what to do next. That pause may feel inconvenient in the moment, but it is far less frustrating than getting lost, entering a closed area, or pushing a rider past their limits.

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.