- 350 miles of designated Black Hills snowmobile trails traverse pine forests, open meadows and climb up to 6,000 feet in elevation for spectacular mountain views.
- Trails officially open December 1 and are groomed from December 15 – March 31.
- Several local retailers offer snowmobile rentals.
Overview
The Black Hills is a snowmobiler's dream location with a large network of mapped and marked trails, groomed from December 15 through March 31. This designated network is ranked as one of the top 10 places to ride in the nation, featuring parking, pit stops, and warming shelters. The western region of Black Hills National Forest is a popular spot, including several campgrounds close to trails. For those yearning to break new track, there are very few unavailable locations.
Restricted areas include:
- Wildlife winter ranges/habitat
- Private property
- Cross-country skiing complexes
- Active logging areas
Trail maps and daily conditions are available on South Dakota Game, Fish and Park’s website, or by calling: (800) 445-3474.
Where To Go Snowmobiling
Try some of these designated locations in Black Hills National Forest:
- Central Hills (Rapid City)
- Blue Fox Campground
Location – South Fork of Rapid Creek
Trails open from Dec 15 – March 31
Warming shelter - Deerfield Reservoir Complex – Dutchman Campground
Location – 20 miles west of Hill City
Water, vault toilets - Ditch Creek Campground
Location – just south of Deerfield Reservoir
Potable water, vault toilets
- Blue Fox Campground
- Northwestern Hills (Sundance, Wyoming)
- Cook Lake Campground
Location – Cook Lake shore; nearest town, Aladdin, WY
No Water
- Cook Lake Campground
- Northern Hills (Spearfish) region of Black Hills National forest is another popular area.
Trails and Conditions
Conditions: This snowmobiling report is updated daily during the winter season.