PIERRE, S.D. -(Ammoland.com)- The Black Hills recently received up to 3 feet of snow, but South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) officials want to remind snowmobilers that the snowmobile trail system does not open until Dec. 15.
“We get a lot of people asking why the trails aren’t open when there is so much snow in the Northern Hills,” says Ryan Raynor, trail program specialist for GFP. “A large portion of the trail system runs through private property and those agreements do not start until Dec. 15.”
Raynor stated that while snowmobiling is permitted on Forest Service managed lands before Dec. 15, riders need to respect the various areas of the trail system that cross private property.
Trails are open Dec. 15 through March 31. Snowmobile trail maps for the entire state can be obtained from most GFP offices or by calling 605.773.2885.
The maps outline the nationally-recognized Black Hill trails (350 miles) and 15 trail systems in eastern South Dakota (over 1,300 miles).
The maps also include locations for food and fuel, as well as additional information about snowmobiling in South Dakota.
For more information about snowmobiling in South Dakota, visit the website or contact Ryan Raynor at 605.773.2885 or the Black Hills Trail Office at 605.584.3896.