Who Pays the Mickelson Trail Day Pass
If you’re planning a day on the George S. Mickelson Trail, it’s easy to wonder whether one pass covers the whole family or whether each person needs one. The key detail is that the day pass is generally tied to the individual trail user, not to a vehicle or group. This guide explains who needs to pay, who may be exempt, and why an ATV permit is not a substitute.
Who pays the Mickelson Trail day pass
The pass is generally per person
The Mickelson Trail day pass is generally required for each trail user age 12 or older who uses the trail. That means a group of adults should not assume that one pass covers everyone simply because they arrive together, share a vehicle, or plan to ride bicycles side by side.
For example, if two adults and a 10-year-old are spending the afternoon on the trail, the adults should each expect to need a pass. The child under 12 generally does not need one. A larger family or group should count the people who will use the trail, rather than counting cars, bicycles, or trailhead parking spots.
The pass applies to trail use, not to a particular kind of nonmotorized equipment. Whether you are walking, cycling, or riding a horse, check the current trail-pass instructions for the activity and location you have in mind. For a broader explanation of the pass itself, see [The Mickelson Trail's Day Pass in South Dakota].
Children and adults in a group
A parent or group leader can make the day smoother by sorting out passes before everyone sets off. It is easy to focus on the logistics of loading bikes, arranging a shuttle, or choosing a section between towns and forget that the pass requirement is based on the age of each trail user.
If your group includes children around the age threshold, do not guess based on height, school grade, or whether a child is riding their own bike. Check the posted instructions or ask the relevant trail or park staff how the age rule applies. A simple headcount before leaving the trailhead can prevent an awkward interruption later.
| Trail user or situation | General pass expectation |
|---|---|
| Individual age 12 or older | Generally needs an individual trail pass |
| Child under 12 | Generally does not need a pass |
| Group of adults | Each person should have a pass |
| Family arriving in one vehicle | The vehicle does not replace individual passes |
| ATV or UTV operator | A Mickelson Trail pass does not authorize motorized riding |
The pass follows the person, not the bike
A common point of confusion is whether the pass is attached to a bicycle, horse, or other equipment. The important distinction is that the pass is generally about the eligible person using the trail. It is not a vehicle registration, a parking permit, or a group ticket that automatically covers everyone traveling together.
That matters when people switch equipment or meet up partway through a trip. If one person walks while another cycles, the pass question still follows the people using the trail—not the number of wheels involved. Likewise, taking a shuttle to a different access point does not make the pass a shuttle or vehicle fee.
Before setting out, read the posted directions about where and how to display or carry proof of payment. A pass that has been purchased but is not available for inspection may still create a hassle if staff ask to see it.
What the Mickelson Trail pass does and does not cover
It is for Mickelson Trail use, not ATV riding
The Mickelson Trail is a nonmotorized recreational trail, so its day pass is not permission to ride an ATV or UTV on the trail. Having a South Dakota plate, an out-of-state registration, or a motorized trail permit does not change that restriction. The trail pass and the rules for motorized riding address different places and activities.
This distinction can be frustrating for visitors who have already bought permits for a Black Hills trip. You may be legally prepared to ride on a permitted motorized route and still be prohibited from taking your machine onto the Mickelson Trail. Learn why the routes are treated differently in [Why South Dakota's Mickelson Trail Bans Machines] and [Why the Mickelson Was Built for Bicycles, Not Quads].
If your trip includes both the Mickelson Trail and ATV riding, plan them as separate outings. Use the Mickelson Trail for activities allowed there, then transport your machine to a legal motorized riding area. A map app such as onX Offroad can help with preliminary route planning, but it does not grant access or override trail signs and official land-use rules.
A state trail pass is different from a motorized trail permit
South Dakota has separate requirements for riding motorized trails and for using the Mickelson Trail. A motorized trail permit is relevant to eligible motorized routes, while the Mickelson day pass is tied to use of the nonmotorized trail. Neither pass should be treated as a universal recreation permit.
If you are bringing an ATV or UTV to the Black Hills, check the rules for the specific route or riding area you plan to use. Start with [South Dakota's Motorized Trail Permit] and [South Dakota Rules for Riding a State Trail]. For a practical overview of permit rules across motorized riding areas, see [South Dakota Trail Permits Explained].
A plated machine also does not automatically qualify for every trail. A plate may matter for certain road-use situations, but it does not turn a nonmotorized trail into an ATV route. The distinction is covered in [Why a Plate Does Not Replace a Trail Permit]. Check both the route designation and the applicable permit rules before unloading.
It is not a substitute for access permission elsewhere
Paying for a Mickelson Trail pass does not provide access to neighboring private property, a forest route, or another recreational area. Those places can have separate boundaries, closures, permits, and permission requirements. Likewise, having an ATV permit for a forest route does not allow you to cross the Mickelson Trail wherever it seems convenient.
This is one reason broad “Black Hills riding” maps can be misleading if you treat every line as the same kind of route. The region includes rail-trail, forest roads, motorized trails, private land, and other areas with different rules. Use onX Offroad as a planning aid if it helps you visualize routes, but confirm access with official maps, signs, and land managers. A displayed route is not, by itself, proof that a vehicle is permitted there.
Buying and using the day pass
Check the official instructions before your visit
Pass availability and purchase instructions can vary by location and may change. Before leaving home, check the official South Dakota state trail information for the Mickelson Trail and confirm how visitors are expected to obtain a day pass. If you are already at a trailhead, read the posted notices carefully and follow the payment or self-registration instructions provided there.
This is especially worthwhile if your plan depends on a tight schedule. A shuttle, rental pickup, or one-way ride between places such as Deadwood, Hill City, and Edgemont can make it inconvenient to discover at the last minute that your group still needs to arrange passes. Decide who is responsible for checking the pass requirements and make sure every person who needs one is covered.
Keep the pass or proof of purchase accessible as directed. Do not assume that a receipt buried in someone else’s bag will be easy to retrieve when the group is spread along the trail. If you are coordinating several adults, ask each person to keep their own proof handy.
Plan separately for trail access and your ATV itinerary
A useful planning checklist is to write down each activity and location for the day. For example, a morning walk or bicycle ride on the Mickelson Trail and an afternoon ATV ride are two separate activities with separate rules. List the required pass or permit beside each one, then confirm that the route permits the equipment you intend to use.
If your ATV plan is in the Black Hills, [Where to Ride an ATV in South Dakota] is a good starting point for thinking about suitable riding areas. Keep an official forest map or land-manager information close at hand as well. onX Offroad can offer a helpful additional view of route options, but verify any route against current official guidance before riding.
It also helps to plan for the people who are not riding the ATV. A family member may prefer the Mickelson Trail while others take a legal motorized route. That can work, but the group should agree on meeting points and transportation in advance. Do not assume the ATV can follow the same route as the hikers or cyclists.
Avoid these common pass misunderstandings
Several assumptions cause unnecessary confusion at trailheads:
- “One pass covers our whole group.” The general expectation is that each eligible person needs a pass.
- “The pass is for my bike.” It is generally tied to the person using the trail, not a particular bicycle.
- “My ATV permit covers the Mickelson Trail.” It does not authorize motorized use on a nonmotorized trail.
- “My plate makes the route legal.” Registration does not erase a route’s motorized-use restriction.
- “A map shows the route, so it must be open.” A map is a planning aid; posted restrictions and official land rules govern access.
When in doubt, pause before entering the trail and ask the appropriate staff or follow the official posted instructions. Taking a few minutes to check is easier than explaining later that your group misunderstood which pass applied.
A simple way to decide who needs a pass
Count people, then check age
Start with the people who will actually use the Mickelson Trail. Count each person age 12 or older separately, and check the age rule for any child near the threshold. Do not base the count on the number of bikes, cars, or households in your party.
Next, confirm the current purchase and proof-of-payment instructions. If you are making a multi-stop trip, keep the trail pass distinct from any motorized permit, park entry requirement, or rental paperwork. That simple separation helps avoid the assumption that one payment covers every activity in the area.
Match each pass to the place you will use it
The clearest rule of thumb is to match the pass to the activity and location: Mickelson Trail use calls for the applicable trail pass, while an ATV ride requires a route where motorized riding is allowed and any permits required for that area. The Mickelson pass does not make an ATV route legal, and an ATV permit does not make the Mickelson Trail motorized.
For a day that combines hiking, cycling, or horseback riding with ATV riding, plan two distinct itineraries. Confirm the trail pass for each eligible Mickelson Trail user, then separately verify the ATV route, permit, and access rules. That way, your group can enjoy both kinds of riding without treating the trail pass as something it is not.
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.
