ATV/UTV Where to Ride, Black Hills, SD

Overview of where to ride your ATV/UTV, Jeep or trail bike in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Long-time rider brings 30-years of experience to the art of selecting trails that suit your riding style and skills. This is an insider's view of off-roading in the Black Hills National Forest

[@ryank4]

This is some great information! We are South Dakota residents and are planning on a few trips to the area this summer with our ATV's. We will be watching your videos a number of times to refresh ourselves on where to go. Thank you!

[@larryj8924]

Very informative and nice overview of Black Hills, thanks.

[@lionsprings7411]

Thank you for your kind comment.

[@rickliners6123]

Excellent review. Will likely need to watch a few more times in order to soak in all the info.

[@lionsprings7411]

Glad it was helpful!

[@reneestritar8]

Thank you for the overview. Very informative

[@jeffschweitzer39]

Very informative. This area is hard to find any info on. Your videos helped me fill in the blanks. Well done

[@EnTitledTown]

Nice video, very informative, you should have used a longer pointer stick to show more precisely where you were pointing to.

[@coolmountaineer]

Great and hilarious video! Thanks a bunch!

[@erikb8877]

I lived just outside Hill City for a few years. I rode a LOT and was always finding new trails. There are so many trails not shown on any map. Best part is that ATVs and SXS are fully street legal in SD with just a few simple mods.

[@timleinart1645]

Really missing those videos of yours Dean!

[@bruceswenson4275]

We are from Lime Springs, Iowa. Our family, which consists of 3 adults and 3 younger children, are taking a long trip out to Black Hills this summer. We have a 4-seat Rzr that is 64" wide (and another 2-seater). Which would be good trails to ride on? Which places do you suggest to stay at along those trials? I really appreciate all the info in your videos. Good job!

[@jackvanbourgondien7349]

Thanks for the video I really appreciate that you really give a lot of information . One question for you is at the ATV trail heads is there generally plenty of parking for someone towing a trailer? Would you suggest a trail head particularly near Hill city?

[@olgaguer6443]

Thank you!

[@lionsprings7411]

You bet!

[@highcountryadv9828]

I definitly agree with you on the maps... In my free time, I am currently working on overlaying the FS road maps over sat photos and topograph maps, with some difficulty. I am new to the area but would like an easier way to plan routes and explore the black hills- was wondering if you have had any success in creating an easier to understand map for ATV/MX/UTV riding? I have been looking for a decent map to purchase but it doesnt seem to exist- at the current time I cannot even get the forest service to give me those firestarter maps.....

[@ricknelson9581]

Is may a good time to come out to the black hills to ride utv

[@sfajita]

you should do an Updated video

[@reidpeterson189]

I have watched a couple of your videos and they are great. Thank you My question is we are planning a trip for September 2020 to come out and ride. We will probably ride 5-7 days not sure yet. What area do you suggest we stay in? Would like to see mines, historical and the fire look outs. Also will be staying at the same location the entire trip so we will need quite a bit of ridding area. Thank you

[@billschleuning7494]

Nemo... Deerfield...rochford...recreational springs .... Deerfield and Nemo has campgrounds and cabins and you ride from right there... Custer peak area does as well

[@lionsprings7411]

Good choices, thanks

[@Lenny26641]

@@billschleuning7494 Would Recreational springs be more of the Northern Technical riding? TY

[@candacethompson1500]

Which trail would you recommend for views of Mount Rushmore? Are there any trail to see the needles?

[@knotbumper]

I have used those paper maps for years. Easy to read and easy to use. I really don't understand the issue. Basic map reading skills solves all the complications. I was hoping for some real information, a 12'x12' plastic relief structure in a visitors center really is of no use to me.

[@exposingthetruth3821]

Lmao I agree. I'd figure a old timer would love maps, grab a fkn ink pen and a highlighter ffs. All I want is a old paper map to add onto. I'll take a GPS and use it, but I like being able to look at a large flat version on paper

[@aladent]

Good video, but you need a long pointer stick. One can't tell where you're pointing to with your finger when it's 3 feet or more from the area you're referring to. "Right about there" doesn't help those of us who want to see exactly (or even vaguely at times) where you're pointing.

[@kong3]

My grandson graduates from School of Mines May 4. Are the trails too muddy at that time. 2. Does the F.S. close off too many trails? 3. Where would be the best areas to boondock with a toy hauler and ride a couple of sxs vehicles? Coming up from SW Colorado. We can bring the rig later in the year, but since we will be staying there anyway???? Thx

[@lionsprings7411]

Thanks for writing. Most Black Hills trails are not muddy, nearly all, in fact. We have rocks here. Seasonal closures last until May 15th so you may be out of luck there, but there's still plenty of trails that will be open. You can boondock almost anywhere that's not specifically prohibited and on private land, of course. The USFS motor vehicle use map shows dispersed camping via little grey dots on various trails. Hope you enjoy your trip.

[@cbull316]

Is there much riding for 64 inch machines? Seems like most trail systems these days are for 50 inch and or single track for motorcycles.

[@ChaoticMN]

We have a party of 10 staying at High Country Guest Ranch near Hill City in Aug. What are three or more best places to visit whether it be historical, a place to eat, a scenic trail, or seeing some Elk. I look forward to your recommendations.

[@lionsprings7411]

Thanks for the comment. The Forest Service recommends that clubs and/or individuals refrain from offering specific trail information or conducting any guidance services unless the club or individuals have obtained an "outfitter's permit." I have a video in production addressing this issue, look for it in the next week or so.

[@ChaoticMN]

I found other information in your videos after making the request that provided some good information. I look forward to your videos to come. Thanks for all your hard work in making these videos for the public.

[@tdirtpor]

@@lionsprings7411 The1st Amendment says different

[@templestone1]

Hi wondering where to rent side by side and best trail to ride- Last week in September for beautiful site seeing? What town to stay in when using the best site seeing trail? thank you Jill

[@stacyfritz5853]

Hi there, I’m really interested in the route with the gold mines, could you provide any additional information on those? Entrance points? Etc. we are camping in deadwood, any atv routes from there?

[@SticksAandstonesBozo]

I’ve now lived here for over 2 years and have found locals to be the most useless people when it comes to any info. Maybe they don’t wanna tell people ? Maybe they are just dumb. But it’s insane how difficult it is to get simple info on anything but the 5-6 tourist spots.

[@marymeyer1494]

You mentioned alot of places you cant ride. How many miles is there to ride out there. We are from Minnesota

[@erikrasmusson762]

as of last year there was 3,600 miles of rideable area, but you will need to get an on road permit, they are about $1.00 a day

[@wdsracer]

Where are the best single track dirt bike only trails?

[@DMobley232]

Is there a map you would recommend? We are planning ride for summer 2020 and would be looking for some 60" or less and Singletrack.

[@ToadControlTv]

we're going to Mount Meadow the last week of may it is 15 miles west of Hill City do you have any recommendations for trails we are very experienced in riding thank you

[@lionsprings7411]

Mt Meadows has a big map on their wall with lots of trails marked. Right inside the door of their restaurant. rgds,

[@ToadControlTv]

ok thank you much

[@lasagna1534]

Why do u think people will buy historic mines and such and block them off from the public? And I have also heard that the forest service will cover up old mines with concrete, is that true?😭

[@lionsprings7411]

Nearly all mine buildings and mine sites on public lands have been obliterated by the US Forest Service for, they say, public safety. Twenty five years ago there were lots of old mine buildings and sites but, except for the Gold Mt. Mine northwest of Hill City, they are all gone. ... and yes, buildings bulldozed and shafts concreted over. "Nothing to see here, folks!" . Mines on private lands remain, but are almost always closed and posted because the owners fear legal liability if anyone should be killed or injured on their property. Nowadays, you're lucky to find an in-tact foundation on public land. If you know a land owner or someone who knows a land owner you may be able to visit a mine, but if you're not from the area, the chances of that a slim. People don't actually buy mines to block them from the public, but many old mining claims have been turned into home sites and ... well ... owners just don't want people wandering about their yards. (I know, I live on a mining claim with a collapsed mine tunnel.)

[@lasagna1534]

Lionsprings wow thanks love ur channel 👍🏻👍🏻

[@74jawa]

At 12:12, Too bad you already burned your maps.

[@bruceschermerhorn4434]

You are wrong. I have ridden my side-by-side through Custer Park you have to buy a pass to do it but you can do it

[@billschleuning7494]

are you talking the hiway? if so ya you can if its licensed, dont think there are any trails

[@collinrobinson3848]

Hi we have several families coming out in August. To ride and site see on sxs. Do you have a Facebook page?