Feel free this winter!  The Black Hills snowmobile trail system opens December 15 – March 31 giving you time to plan a trip to a top ranked snowmobiling destination.  With over 350 miles of marked, mapped, groomed trails plus endless off-trail sledding and amazing vistas in our 1.2 million-acre Black Hills National Forest, there is plenty of space. Tie that with easy access to historic mountain towns that offer great accommodations, eateries and entertainment and you’ll agree, we’ve got just the place for you.

Our marked, mapped and groomed trails with orange diamond signs marking the way at every eighth of a mile, even novices and first-timers can feel confident in the wilderness. Black Hills sledding offers unusual freedom without the worry of avalanches or getting lost.

With our growing reputation as a winter recreation destination, the Black Hills’ “second season” has generated more options for the winter traveler. Little mountain stores, resorts and quaint pit stops (the best burgers in the world!) along the trail system are open all winter to accommodate sports enthusiasts. “Sled heads” love the fact that the snowmobile trail-heads are easily accessed from Black Hills towns, with trails #5 and #7 leading right into the towns of Lead and Deadwood giving riders an opportunity to “park and ride” from their hotel room.

Our mountain towns of Spearfish, Lead, Deadwood, Hill City and Custer all host winter activities. Deadwood’s annual ISOC Snocross, for example, brings 150 of the top professional snocross racers in the world for a weekend of high-flying thrills. Click here for tickets

No sled? No worries. The team at Blackhillsvacations.com works with snowmobile rental outfitters that offer fleets of top-branded rental sleds, clothing, guide services and basic operating instructions. Between our local advice and the new sled technology – like heated handle bars, seats, auto starts and reverse – we make it easy so that you can have the time of your life. Check out our snowmobile packages and sled rentals 866-601-5103.

Snowmobile trails do not require a pass; however, snowmobiles must be licensed and registered and restrictions apply to people under age 14.

A resident snowmobile license and registration  can be obtained at the county treasurer’s office of the owner’s county, or in the case of a nonresident of this state, the treasurer of any country.

Non-residents snowmobiles validly licensed and registered in another state may be legally operated in South Dakota. Unlicensed snowmobiles must have a special five-day temporary permit. Permits are available at Country Treasurers offices or from a licensing agent: Spearfish Canyon Lodge, Steel Wheel, Trailshead Lodge to name a few.

Wear protective clothing that is designed for snowmobiling.

Use a full-size helmet, goggles or face shield to prevent injuries from twigs, ice chips and debris.

Snowmobile Season: The official season is December 15 – March 31 depending upon snow conditions.

For trail conditions and trail cameras Click Here