Why South Dakota’s Mickelson Trail Bans Machines

The Mickelson Trail is a tempting route to add to a Black Hills ATV or UTV trip, especially when it appears to connect towns, trailheads, and scenic stops. But it is not an off-road vehicle route: motorized recreational machines are generally not allowed. This guide explains why, what the rule means in practice, and where to look for legal motorized riding nearby.

Why the Mickelson Trail Is Not an ATV or UTV Route

A former railroad corridor with a different purpose

The George S. Mickelson Trail follows a former railroad corridor through the Black Hills. After the rail line stopped operating, the route was converted into a public recreational trail. Its design and management are centered on nonmotorized activities such as walking, cycling, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing, rather than ATV or UTV travel.

That distinction can be easy to miss when you are looking at a map. The trail passes through rugged country and may seem like a ready-made way to cross the Hills. But a route’s appearance does not determine what vehicles may use it. A wide, well-graded path can still be legally reserved for particular types of recreation.

The trail’s identity matters because motorized access could change the experience it was created to provide. Cyclists and walkers expect a quieter route, while riders need designated roads and trails that are managed for motorized use. The two experiences can coexist in the Black Hills, but not necessarily on the same corridor.

A shared recreation route is not the same as a motorized trail

The Mickelson Trail is shared by several user groups, but “shared use” does not mean every recreation type is allowed. In ordinary conversation, people may hear “multi-use trail” and assume it includes side-by-sides, four-wheelers, motorcycles, and bicycles. The actual authorized uses depend on the trail’s rules and posted restrictions.

For motorized riders, the important point is to treat the Mickelson as a nonmotorized route unless an official notice clearly identifies a specific exception. Do not infer permission from a nearby road, an open gate, a wide trail bed, or the fact that another type of machine may sometimes appear in the area.

This is also why planning around [Why South Dakota's Mickelson Trail Turns Machines Away] can help clarify the difference between a trail that looks rideable and one that is legally open to your machine. If your goal is to cover miles by ATV or UTV, make the Mickelson a nearby sightseeing stop—not part of your motorized route.

What the Machine Ban Means in Practice

Do not ride an ATV or UTV along the trail

For a recreational rider, the straightforward rule is to keep an ATV or UTV off the Mickelson Trail. That includes riding along the trail surface, using it as a shortcut between roads, or following it for only a short distance to reach a town or trailhead. A short distance can still be unauthorized use.

It is also unwise to assume you can ride on the trail briefly because you are traveling slowly, yielding to pedestrians, or planning to turn around. The restriction is about the permitted use of the route, not just about speed or how considerate a rider is being. A quiet machine remains a motorized machine.

A common trip-planning mistake is to look at a map, see the Mickelson running close to a Forest Service road, and assume the two routes connect for vehicles. They may be near each other without sharing the same access rules. Confirm that your route is on a road or trail open to your vehicle, and check what the map legend actually identifies.

Do not treat access structures as permission

The Mickelson includes trailheads, crossings, tunnels, trestles, and other features that can make it look like a continuous travel corridor. Those features are designed for trail users. A road crossing does not turn the trail into a road, and a nearby parking area does not grant permission to ride beyond the authorized access point.

The same caution applies to gates and barriers. A gate may be open for maintenance or other operational reasons, or it may be arranged to allow nonmotorized users through. Its position does not automatically authorize recreational ATV or UTV entry. Follow signs and restrictions at the location rather than interpreting the hardware as an invitation.

If you are towing a machine to a trailhead, plan where the vehicle and trailer can legally park, and keep the machine on an approved route. It is frustrating to unload and then discover that the trail you hoped to ride is closed to motorized use. Checking the route before you leave home can prevent that wasted stop and help you choose a suitable riding area instead.

Why the Restriction Matters to Trail Users

Safety on a narrow, mixed-use corridor

The Mickelson Trail brings together users who move at very different speeds and may have limited room to react. A person walking with children, a cyclist descending a grade, and a horse and rider do not have the same stopping distance or maneuverability. Adding recreational motor vehicles would create more opportunities for sudden encounters on a route that is not intended to function as an ATV trail.

Even a careful rider can meet someone around a bend, near a tunnel, at a trestle, or where sightlines are limited. A machine’s engine noise may also affect how easily other users hear approaching traffic or communicate with one another. The safety question is not only whether an individual driver behaves responsibly; it is whether the corridor is appropriate for that type of use at all.

Separate designations make it easier for people to choose a route that matches their activity. Walkers and cyclists can use a trail managed for their experience, while riders can select designated motorized routes and follow their own vehicle-specific requirements. That separation can feel inconvenient when the paths are close together, but it reduces confusion and conflict.

Protecting a quiet experience and the trail surface

Noise is part of the experience people seek on a rail-trail. A quiet route lets walkers hear birds and conversation, and it gives cyclists a break from road traffic. Motorized use would change that atmosphere even if the number of machines were modest or the riders were courteous.

The surface is another consideration. A route designed for bicycles, pedestrians, and horses is not automatically built to handle the weight, traction, turning, and repeated use associated with ATVs and UTVs. Conditions can vary with rainfall, freeze-thaw cycles, drainage, and maintenance. A surface that seems firm on a dry afternoon may be more vulnerable after weather changes.

Trail managers also need to maintain crossings, drainage features, and the corridor itself for its authorized uses. When users stay within the intended activities, it is easier to manage wear and preserve access for those the route serves. The restriction is therefore about the character and upkeep of the trail as well as immediate safety.

Exceptions, Crossings, and Nearby Access

Operational use is not recreational permission

You may occasionally see a work vehicle, emergency vehicle, or authorized maintenance equipment on or near a trail. That does not mean recreational riders can use the same route. Agencies and contractors may need access to inspect, repair, or respond to an emergency, but those operational needs are different from public recreational access.

This distinction is important because seeing a machine can lead to understandable questions: if a service vehicle can enter, why can’t a UTV? The answer is that authorization is tied to the purpose and circumstances of the trip. A vehicle used for trail maintenance is not establishing an open motorized route for the public.

Likewise, do not rely on a verbal assumption from another visitor or on an old social media post. A route may have changing closures, construction, or specific access conditions. When there is uncertainty, check the current trail information and posted signs before entering rather than testing the restriction on the ground.

Crossings do not make the trail a connector

An ATV or UTV route may cross the Mickelson Trail, or a public road may meet it at a trail crossing. A permitted crossing is not the same as permission to travel lengthwise along the trail. Riders should cross only where allowed, yield to trail users, and continue on the authorized road or route.

Do not ride along the trail shoulder or follow the corridor to find a convenient crossing. The shoulder may be part of the managed trail area, and a route that looks like a parallel access track may have its own restrictions. Check signs at the exact crossing and verify the route on an appropriate map.

If you are unsure whether a particular crossing is authorized for your machine, pause and confirm before proceeding. A map app can help you understand where you are, but it cannot replace posted restrictions or official land-management information. Planning a legal connection is much easier than turning around after reaching a blocked or restricted section.

How to Plan Legal Motorized Riding Near the Mickelson

Use designated motorized routes, not visual clues

The Black Hills offer motorized roads and trails, but access varies by route, vehicle width, season, and land manager. Start by identifying the specific riding area and the roads or trails open to your machine. Then check the applicable map, restrictions, seasonal information, and access requirements.

Do not choose a route simply because it is wide enough for your UTV or because another vehicle appears to have driven it. Some roads are closed to certain uses, some trails have width limits, and some routes are open only during designated periods. Road surfaces and conditions can also change after storms, maintenance work, or fire restrictions.

A useful planning habit is to compare multiple sources of route information. For example, an app such as onX Offroad can help you review mapped routes and understand how roads and trails relate to one another. Use that as a planning aid alongside official maps, land-manager notices, and signs on the ground—not as a substitute for them.

Check permits and machine-specific rules before loading up

Permit requirements depend on where you ride and what kind of route you use. A machine that is legally plated for road use may still need a separate trail permit for certain motorized trails. Conversely, a permit for a designated riding area does not authorize travel on a route that is closed to motorized vehicles.

Before leaving, confirm the permit rules for the specific area and machine. Also check whether your ATV or UTV meets the route’s width requirements, whether passengers are allowed, and whether the route is open for the season. If you are visiting from another state, do not assume your home registration automatically satisfies every South Dakota requirement.

Keep permit and registration information accessible, and make sure decals or documentation are placed as required. If a route is unclear on a map, ask the land manager or local office before riding. A little advance checking can save a long detour and help you avoid an enforcement problem.

Planning question	What to verify	Why it matters
Is the route open to motorized use?	Official route designation and signs	A visible trail or road may still be closed to ATVs and UTVs
Does the machine fit the route?	Width limits and vehicle restrictions	Some routes exclude wider machines
Is a permit required?	Permit rules for the riding area	Registration does not always replace a trail permit
Is the route open today?	Seasonal notices, closures, and conditions	Weather, fire, or maintenance can affect access
Is the connection legal?	Crossings and roads at the route entrance	A nearby trail does not necessarily permit travel between areas

Build a route that does not depend on the Mickelson

A better itinerary treats the Mickelson and motorized riding as separate activities. You might spend part of a day walking or cycling a section of the trail, then trailer the machine to a designated motorized area for a ride. That approach lets you enjoy both without trying to force a connection that the rules do not allow.

For longer trips, plan fuel, parking, unloading, and return travel in advance. A route that looks short on a map may involve slow forest roads, changes in elevation, or a long drive between trailheads. Mark a fallback route in case a closure or weather change affects your first choice.

It can help to save both your planned route and nearby alternatives in onX Offroad, then compare them with official notices before setting out. Keep a paper map or offline information available as a backup, especially where cell service is unreliable. The goal is not to stack up the most miles; it is to know where you can ride legally and get back without improvising.

Common Misunderstandings About the Mickelson Trail

“It is wide enough, so a side-by-side should fit”

Physical width is not a legal designation. A trail may be broad enough for a UTV but still be closed to motorized recreational use. Similarly, an old rail bed can look like a road while functioning under a completely different set of rules.

This misunderstanding often comes from map appearance. On a digital map, a line may look like a connector between communities or forest roads. The map’s visual style may not make the permitted user group obvious at a glance. Always inspect the legend, route designation, and restrictions rather than judging by the width of the line.

For a specific trip, trace the route segment by segment. Confirm the road or trail name, managing authority, vehicle access, and any seasonal conditions. If the route changes designation along the way, that change matters; permission on one segment does not carry over automatically to the next.

“I only want to ride a little way”

There is no general exception for a brief recreational trip, a shortcut, or a quick photo stop. Riding a short stretch can still place a motorized machine on a route that is not open to it. The distance does not change the route’s designation.

This can be frustrating when the trail appears to offer the easiest way to connect two legal roads. But a convenient line on a map is not necessarily an authorized connector. Look for a public road or designated motorized route that actually joins the two locations, even if the legal option takes longer.

Do not use the trail as a place to turn around or unload unless the specific location is an authorized access point for your activity. If you arrive and discover that your intended route is not open, stop before entering and choose another route. A small change to the day’s plan is better than treating a restriction as optional.

“I saw a snowmobile or service machine there”

A snowmobile, maintenance vehicle, or emergency machine may be permitted under different rules or conditions. Its presence does not prove that ATVs and UTVs are authorized. A route can allow one narrowly defined use while prohibiting another.

Winter access can be especially confusing because snow conditions may change which activities are practical or authorized. Never assume a seasonal exception applies to your machine, or that it applies along the entire trail. Check the current local rules and posted information for the exact section you are considering.

The same principle applies to machines used by land managers, utility crews, or emergency responders. Their access is tied to operational responsibilities. Recreational riders should follow the rules that apply to the public rather than using an exceptional vehicle as evidence that the route is generally open.

Choosing Between the Mickelson and a Motorized Riding Area

Match the route to the experience you want

Choose the Mickelson when your group wants a nonmotorized outing—walking, bicycling, horseback riding, or another use allowed by the trail’s rules. Its former rail corridor offers a very different pace from an ATV ride, and that contrast can make it a worthwhile part of a Black Hills visit.

Choose a designated motorized area when the main goal is riding an ATV or UTV. Before loading, check the route’s permitted vehicle types, width limits, permit requirements, and conditions. A legal motorized route may have restrictions that are less obvious than a simple open-or-closed label.

If your group includes both riders and non-riders, consider planning separate activities with a clear meeting point. For example, one group can use the Mickelson while another rides a designated route, then everyone can meet in a town or at a permitted staging location. This is usually less stressful than trying to find a single corridor that serves every activity.

Compare route types before committing

The table below can help frame the choice, but always verify the rules for the exact section and day. Access can depend on land ownership, season, vehicle type, and closures.

Route type	Typical fit	What to check first
Mickelson Trail	Walking, cycling, and other permitted nonmotorized recreation	Authorized uses, trail conditions, access points, and any temporary notices
Designated motorized trail	ATVs, UTVs, or other vehicles allowed by that route	Vehicle width, permit, season, and trail-specific restrictions
Forest road	Travel by vehicles allowed under the road’s designation	Road status, vehicle restrictions, closures, and whether a permit is needed
Private ranch road	Access only with the landowner’s permission	Written permission, boundaries, gates, and any limits set by the owner

Do not assume a road is public just because it is visible on a map or crosses open-looking land. A route can pass through private property, grazing land, or a managed area with access limits. Permission and route status should be confirmed before a machine enters.

When comparing routes, consider the whole day rather than only riding distance. Think about how far you need to trailer, whether the staging area can accommodate your vehicle, where you can fuel, and whether conditions are suitable for your group. A route that is a little farther away may be a better choice if its access rules and terrain clearly fit your machine and experience.

Making a Responsible Black Hills Riding Plan

Check conditions again before you leave

A route that was open during a previous visit may be affected by seasonal schedules, storm damage, fire danger, maintenance, or temporary closures. Recheck official land-manager information close to your ride and pay attention to notices at the trailhead. If a posted sign conflicts with an old map or saved route, follow the current on-site restriction.

Weather deserves particular attention in the Black Hills. Rain can make some roads slick or vulnerable to damage, while dry conditions can bring dust and fire concerns. At higher elevations, sudden changes can affect visibility and surface conditions. A route may be technically open yet still be a poor choice for your group that day.

Save a backup route and know where you can safely turn around. If an unexpected closure blocks your plan, do not ride around a gate or follow an unofficial track to get past it. Use a legal alternate route or postpone the ride.

Keep access respectful for every user

Responsible riding means staying on authorized routes, yielding where required, keeping noise under control, and avoiding damage to road edges, drainage features, and vegetation. It also means not creating new tracks around barriers or widening a route to get past an obstacle.

On a shared landscape, one rider’s shortcut can affect access for everyone. Damage, complaints, and conflicts can lead to stricter management and make it harder for land managers to keep routes available. Staying within the marked network protects the experience of nonmotorized users and helps maintain the places where motorized riding is allowed.

If you are traveling with a group, brief everyone before unloading. Make sure each person understands the route, permit expectations, communication plan, and turnaround point. A rider who takes an unplanned detour can create a difficult situation for the rest of the group, especially where cell service is limited.

Treat maps as planning tools, not permission slips

Digital maps are valuable for understanding terrain, locating roads, and organizing a route. onX Offroad can be one helpful tool for reviewing potential motorized routes and keeping your plan organized. Still, a mapped line alone does not prove that a road is public, open, or suitable for your exact machine.

Use the map alongside official route information and land-manager updates. Check the date and detail of the information where available, and be cautious around boundaries, gates, and confusing junctions. Carry a backup map or saved offline information so your plan does not depend on a live connection.

The same careful approach applies when planning a visit to the Mickelson. Identify it as a separate nonmotorized outing, then build your ATV or UTV ride around routes that are specifically designated for motorized access. That simple distinction makes the day easier to plan and helps keep the trail available for the users it was designed to serve.

Planning Your Next Ride Without the Mickelson

The Mickelson Trail’s appeal is easy to understand: it crosses scenic Black Hills country and links places that visitors may already want to see. But it serves a different purpose from a motorized trail. Keeping ATVs and UTVs off the corridor protects the route’s intended experience, reduces conflicts among users, and avoids confusing a trail crossing with permission to ride along the trail.

For an ATV or UTV outing, identify a designated motorized route first, then confirm the machine restrictions, permits, seasonal access, and current conditions. If you want to enjoy the Mickelson as well, plan it as a separate activity. That way, you can appreciate the trail for what it is and ride your machine where motorized access is actually allowed.

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.