Black Hills South Dakota ATV Trails, Jeep Rentals, Offroad & 4x4

South Dakota's Black Hills offer a vast area in which to enjoy off-road adventures. Nearly all of the 1.25 million acres of public land located in the Black Hills is open to off-roading of all types, including in the Black Hills National Forest.

• Explore one million acres of spectacular Black Hills’ terrain on a licensed ATV or off-road vehicle.
• Black Hills National Forest provides users over 5,000 miles of trails.
• Black Hills ATV rental companies are located in Custer, Hill City, and Deadwood, with average daily fees ranging from $79 - $149.

Overview

ATV and off-road enthusiasts can enjoy over 5,000 miles of Black Hills trails, ranging from gentle dirt roads to “rock crawling” adventures over rugged terrain. A popular activity from spring through autumn, users must operate only licensed machines and adhere to road and safety rules.

Head to Black Hills National Forest

ATV and ORV users have over one million acres of Black Hills National Forest trails to explore, including forest service roads, logging roads, and old mining roads. Users will find such aptly named trails as Calamity, Lost Soldier Canyon, Twister, and Badlands Boogie 4WD, in reference to landscape and difficulty. Off-road events are also featured in the area, including the Black Hills Jeep Jamboree.

BHNF Rules and Regulations

Black Hills National Forest operates under an “open-unless-closed” trail policy, which means traversable roads will be undesignated, however excluded roads will be closed, gated or marked.

Black Hills ATV users must abide the following laws, including:

• Operating a licensed and registered vehicle. If you come from a state that does not require ATV licensing, you may not utilize that machine in South Dakota.
• Possessing a current driver’s license.
• Having functional safety gear on your ATV including spark arrestors, mirrors, brake lights, etc.
• Wearing eye protection unless your ATV has a windshield.

ATV users MAY NOT:

• Ride cross-country. Failure to do so causes severe negative environmental impacts.
• Travel in Wilderness or Non-Motorized Areas.
• Cross onto private lands. (Most roads will be gated or will feature “No Trespassing” signs. For peace of mind, pick up forest service maps and carry them on your person.)
• Travel inside National Parks. (Exceptions: Highways through Mt. Rushmore and Badlands.)

Strictly off-limits areas include:

• Black Elk Wilderness
• Victoria Lake
• Spearfish Canyon
• Bear Mountain
• Polo Peak,
• Jasper and Elk Mountain fire areas
• Hiking trails

For reasons of safety, low-impact, and future preservation of ATV activities, Black Hills National Forest encourages users to adhere to the:

Tread Lightly Pledge

• Travel with minimum impact.
• Respect the environment and rights of others.
• Educate yourself and prepare before riding.
• Allow for future use of the outdoors.
• Discover the rewards of responsible recreation.

Rentals/Fees

Several ATV, SUV and ORV rental companies operate in the area, including locations in Deadwood, Hill City, and Custer.

Average prices range from:

• $50 - $60/half day rental
• $79 - $149/daily rental
• $500 - $650/weekly rental