Where to Ride a Machine Just Over 62 Inches
A machine that measures just over 62 inches can turn a Black Hills ride plan into a frustrating puzzle: some trails have width limits, and a few inches can rule out a route. This guide explains how to measure your ATV or UTV, find routes that allow wider machines, and check permits and closures before you haul into South Dakota.
First, confirm how wide your machine really is
Measure outside tire to outside tire
A manufacturer’s advertised width is a useful starting point, but it may not tell you whether your machine fits a trail’s width category. Accessories, wheel changes, tire choice, and the way a vehicle is measured can all affect the number. For trail planning, measure the machine’s width from the outside edge of one tire to the outside edge of the opposite tire. The guide to [Measuring Outside Tire to Outside Tire] explains why this measurement matters.
Measure on level ground with the tires set up as you intend to ride. If your UTV has wider aftermarket tires or wheels, measure it in that configuration rather than relying on the factory specification. It is also worth checking both the front and rear: if one end extends farther out, use the wider measurement for planning.
If you’re only a little over the limit, don’t assume that measurement error will make the machine eligible for a narrower trail. A trail-width designation is not a suggestion to squeeze through if the vehicle nearly fits. A tight passage, a rut, or a rocky edge can make a nominally small difference feel much larger—and can leave you unable to turn around safely.
Treat “just over 62 inches” as over the limit
South Dakota’s Black Hills riding areas include routes with different width designations. Some trails are limited to machines under 62 inches, while other routes allow wider machines. A vehicle that measures even slightly more than 62 inches should be planned as a wide machine, not as a borderline narrow one. For a closer look at how the designations work, read [South Dakota Trail Width Limits].
That distinction affects your route options, not just whether the machine can physically pass between obstacles. A wide machine may fit on a narrow route in one spot but still be prohibited from using that route. Conversely, a route marked for all widths is intended to accommodate vehicles beyond the narrower category, subject to other posted restrictions and current closures.
Before leaving home, write down your machine’s measured width and keep it handy. If you are renting or borrowing a machine, ask for its actual width rather than choosing a route based on the model name alone. A model may have several trims or equipment setups, and the width on one listing may not match the machine you’ll pick up.
Find routes that accommodate a wider ATV or UTV
Look for routes marked for all widths
The practical answer for a machine just over 62 inches is to focus on routes specifically open to all widths, while confirming each route on the applicable travel map. The Black Hills National Forest has designated motorized routes with varying width allowances, and the listed inventory includes routes open to all widths. That does not mean every trail or road in the forest is suitable for a wide machine.
Use [Riding Where All Widths Are Welcome] and [South Dakota Trails for a Wide Machine] as starting points for understanding the kinds of routes to look for. Then verify the specific route on an official Motor Vehicle Use Map, commonly called an MVUM, and check any current notices. A broad area label or a trailhead sign alone may not answer whether every segment of a planned loop allows your machine’s width.
| Route or map information | What it means for a machine over 62 inches | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Under-62-inch trail designation | Do not plan to ride it with a machine measured over 62 inches | Confirm the designation and any posted restriction |
| All-width trail designation | May be an option for a wide ATV or UTV | Check closures, route connections, and other restrictions |
| Forest road | May provide a wider route, but access is not automatic | Confirm that the road is open to motorized use and your vehicle type |
| Online recreational map | Useful for planning and orientation | Cross-check route status and restrictions against official maps |
A mapping app such as onX Offroad can help you visualize routes, distance, and possible connections while building a plan. Use it as a planning aid, not as a replacement for official maps or closure notices. If an app’s display and the forest’s current information don’t agree, stop and verify the route before riding.
Don’t assume a road and a trail have the same rules
The Black Hills area has both motorized trails and forest roads, but they are not interchangeable categories. A road may have a different access designation from a trail, and a route that looks broad enough for a UTV may still be closed to motorized traffic or subject to a restriction. The key question is not simply, “Can my machine fit?” It is, “Is this route open to my vehicle, at my width, for this kind of use?”
Use the official [South Dakota Trail Maps and MVUMs] to identify designated routes. Read the map legend carefully, since route colors and symbols communicate restrictions that may not be obvious from the line on a screen. If you’re planning a loop that mixes roads and trails, check every segment rather than assuming that a legal starting route makes the entire loop legal.
onX Offroad can be helpful for comparing a proposed line with nearby roads, trailheads, and alternate routes. Still, do not treat a route shown in any third-party app as permission to ride it. Forest designations, temporary closures, and local restrictions can change what is usable, so confirm the route with official information before you commit to it.
Plan around permits, closures, and route changes
Check the permit rules for the route you intend to ride
A wide machine still needs to meet the applicable riding requirements. On designated Black Hills motorized trails, riders should check the current motorized trail permit rules and make sure the permit is properly displayed. A road-use authorization, registration, or plate should not be assumed to replace a trail permit. The overview at [South Dakota Trail Permits Explained] helps distinguish the trail permit question from other requirements.
Check whether your chosen route is a motorized trail, a forest road, or a combination. That distinction matters because the permit and vehicle requirements can differ by route type. If you are visiting from outside South Dakota, check the rules that apply to your machine and situation before you travel; don’t wait until you reach a trailhead to discover that a permit or decal is missing.
If you’re riding with a group, make sure every machine has what it needs. One person’s permit does not cover another person’s ATV or UTV. Check that the decal is attached as directed and easy to see, then keep any required paperwork accessible. A few minutes of preparation at home can prevent a frustrating stop when the group is ready to ride.
Verify closures and conditions close to departure
A route that appeared open when you first planned the trip may be affected by weather, maintenance, seasonal conditions, or a temporary closure by the time you arrive. That is especially important in the Black Hills, where a storm can change trail conditions quickly and dry-weather fire restrictions can affect access. Check [South Dakota Trail Conditions Before You Ride] and any applicable forest alerts shortly before setting out.
Build a backup route before you leave. If a narrow trail is closed, you’ll need an alternative that is not only open but also wide enough for your machine. A backup that relies on an under-62-inch trail is not a useful backup for a vehicle over the limit. Mark a few possible turnarounds and alternate trailheads, and make sure your group knows which options are actually allowed.
Carry a map you can use without cell service. Online maps, including onX Offroad, can make route planning easier, but signal gaps are common in remote areas. Download or save the information you need before leaving town, and bring an official map or other usable offline reference. Don’t rely on being able to load a new route at a trail junction.
Make a practical ride plan for a wide machine
Choose the route before you load the trailer
Start by measuring the machine, then choose routes marked for its width. Confirm the full route—not just the first trail segment—on the official map. Look for places where a wide vehicle can stage, turn around, and safely meet other traffic. A route that technically accommodates the machine may still be a poor choice if it includes tight obstacles or no reasonable way to reverse course.
If you’re traveling to the Black Hills, sort out the basics before you haul: where you’ll unload, where you’ll park, what permit or access requirements apply, and what you’ll do if a closure changes the plan. [Trailering Into the Black Hills] offers a useful planning companion for the logistics of getting your machine and gear to the riding area.
It also helps to be realistic about your group’s pace. A route that works for one confident driver may feel stressful for a newer rider, especially in a wide side-by-side on uneven terrain. Give yourself extra time for stops, navigation, and letting faster traffic pass where it is safe and legal to do so. Trying to rush to make a route connection is a poor reason to enter a trail that does not fit your machine’s width category.
Use apps as a planning layer, not the final authority
A digital map can make it easier to compare trailheads, distances, and alternate routes, especially when you are unfamiliar with the area. onX Offroad can serve as one layer in that planning process: you can review the route shape, note junctions, and prepare an offline reference. Pair that planning with the official MVUM and current closure information rather than relying on one screen as the final word.
Before the ride, discuss the route with everyone in the group. Make sure drivers understand which trails are off limits to a machine over 62 inches, where the group will stop, and what to do if someone loses the route. Agreeing on a turnaround point is particularly helpful when visibility is limited or the group includes drivers with different experience levels.
At the trailhead, read posted signs before unloading or starting the ride. Signs may reflect restrictions that need your attention even when your route was planned in advance. If the designation is unclear, do not guess. Check the official map or contact the appropriate land manager before proceeding. For a machine just over 62 inches, that extra check can save a day of backtracking—and help protect access for everyone who rides there.
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.
