All snowmobiles operated in South Dakota must be licensed, and resident tags in South Dakota sell for $20 per year as of 2010. Additional licensing is not required to operate snowmobiles in South Dakota that are licensed in another state. A temporary five-day license can be purchased at any Black Hills city courthouse or snowmobile business. Snowmobiles may not cross interstate highways or be operated in a reckless manner, and snowmobile operators must be at least 16 years of age.
The snowmobile trails are officially open on December 15; however, snowpack generally begins building in late November. Restricted areas for snowmobiling include private property, wildlife winter ranges and habitats, active logging areas and cross-country skiing complexes. Check the South Dakota Game, Fish and Park's website for daily conditions and trail maps. In the western region of the Black Hills National Forest you will find several campgrounds located close to snowmobile trails.
Most of the Black Hills snowmobile trails are located in the Deadwood-Lead area. As snowpack permits, the Needles highway is also open to snowmobiles. Two of the longest snowmobile trails begin southwest of Hill City near Bear Mountain. There are approximately 350 miles of well-marked, groomed trails in the Black Hills Forest that are open to snowmobiling.
