Black Hills UTV and ATV Trails, With Camp Right Here

Who this page is for

You want to ride. Maybe you are trailering your own ATV or UTV, maybe you want to rent a side-by-side for the first time. Either way you want a campground where the machine, the fuel, the food, and the bed are all in one place, so the day is about the trail and not about logistics.

Custer Crossing Family Campground is at 22036 Hwy 385 in the central Black Hills, about 15 miles south of Deadwood. We rent side-by-sides right at the campground, for a couple of hours or a full day, and we sit near some of the most popular riding areas in the Hills.

The Black Hills trail system at a glance

According to the Black Hills National Forest, the Hills have more than 3,800 miles of roads and trails open to motorized vehicles, and more than 700 miles of system trails designated for off-highway vehicles. A few things every rider should know before heading out:

• You need a permit. The Forest Service requires a South Dakota Motorized Trail Permit for motor vehicles on motorized trails in the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota.
• Use the official map. The Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) is the official map of the roads and trails open to motorized travel. It is free from Forest Service offices, local vendors, and online.
• Know the season. Some trailheads publish seasonal dates. For example, the Forest Service lists trails at the Camp 5 Trailhead near Deadwood as open May 15 to December 15. Check current status before you go.
• Ride responsibly. Stay on designated routes, follow fire restrictions, and wash your machine between areas to avoid spreading invasive weeds.

Riding areas near camp

Two trail areas the Forest Service describes are especially relevant to riders staying on Hwy 385:

• Camp 5 Trailhead (near Deadwood): the Forest Service calls it the most popular gateway to more than 10 miles of rock-crawling, 4x4, and OHV routes in the Deadwood area. It is off US-14A between Deadwood and Sturgis. Many of these trails are very challenging.
• Bogus Trail System: bounded on the west by Highway 385, this is described by the Forest Service as a very rough and rocky system.
• Other systems across the Hills range from scenic loops to technical rock crawling. Plan with the MVUM and ask locally about conditions.

Renting a UTV at Custer Crossing

If you did not bring a machine, rent one at camp. Our side-by-sides are available for a couple of hours or a full day. Driver age, license, waiver, and safety rules apply. Ask about current availability, rental times, and requirements when you reserve, by email at custercrossings@gmail.com. Learn more on our UTV rentals page.

Why camp here for a riding trip

A riding trip burns through fuel and appetite. Here is what is on site:

• Gas station with 91 octane premium, plus propane, at Custer's Last Store and Gas
• Convenience store with ice, beer, firewood, and supplies
• Custer's Last Meal for burgers, steaks, and beers after the trail, and the Burger Challenge if you dare
• Hot showers and laundry for the dust
• About 20 full-hookup RV sites, about 11 camping cabins, and tent sites
• Wi-Fi across the park and a dog-friendly campground

Make it a full Black Hills trip

Riding days pair well with sightseeing days. Mount Rushmore is about 55 minutes from camp (see Mount Rushmore camping), Deadwood about 25 minutes, and Pactola Reservoir about 20 minutes. In August, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally fills the Hills, so read Sturgis Rally camping if your dates overlap. Distances and times are approximate, based on public map data, and change with traffic, weather, and road work.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

More answers on our campground FAQ.