Snowmobile, ATV & Off-Road

Rules and fees change, so confirm with the Forest Service or South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks before you ride.

ATV, UTV, and 4x4

The Black Hills National Forest has more than 3,800 miles of roads and trails open to motorized vehicles, including over 700 miles of designated OHV trails and 21 motorized trailheads, according to the Forest Service.

• Popular gateway: Camp 5 Trailhead leads to more than 10 miles of rock-crawling, 4x4, and OHV routes near Deadwood. The Forest Service warns that many are very challenging, with creek beds, boulder fields, and waterfalls.
• Permits in South Dakota: a Black Hills Motorized Trail Permit is required on designated motorized trails, and for unlicensed OHVs on forest roads open to all vehicles. Plated vehicles don't need one on those roads, but do on designated trails. State OHV rules apply separately. The city says ATVs and UTVs must be licensed to use public roads, not including interstates. Riders without a license from their own state can buy a temporary one at a county treasurer's office, including Lawrence County's at 90 Sherman Street in Deadwood.
• Map: the free Motor Vehicle Use Map is the official reference. The Forest Service advises against relying on other maps, including ours.
• Wyoming side: a Wyoming State ORV Permit applies instead.

Snowmobiling

The state snowmobile season runs December 15 to March 31, and the City of Deadwood counts more than 300 miles of groomed trails from town. The Mickelson Trail is groomed as part of the system in winter.

• Nonresidents: Game, Fish and Parks lists a $40 temporary 5-day permit, and says nonresidents with a valid license from another state may also ride. Proof of liability insurance is required on public trails.
• Trailheads: Trailshead, Custer Peak (about 11 miles south of Deadwood on US 385), Dumont, and Buckhorn.
• Conditions: Trail conditions, live cameras, and closures are at gfp.sd.gov/snowmobiling. Black Hills Trails Office: 605-584-3896.
• Road closure: Forest Road 222, Savoy to Roughlock Falls, closes to cars for the snowmobile season.

Rentals

See UTV and ATV rentals and snowmobile rentals, with seasons and permit notes.