South Boxelder Trail System

South Boxelder OHV Trail System near Nemo in Lawrence County is considered the hub of ATV and OHV riding in the northern Black Hills, the largest and most connected OHV trail node in the Black Hills National Forest north of Rapid City. The system connects to the Pilot Knob, Dalton Lake, and Piedmont trailheads to form a large interconnected network that skilled riders can navigate across an entire day without repeating ground. Terrain is northern Black Hills character: granite outcrops, ponderosa and spruce forest, Boxelder Creek crossings at multiple points, and forested ridgelines between drainage systems. The 62-inch vehicle width limit applies throughout, keeping the system focused on ATVs and narrower UTVs rather than full-size machines. The Boxelder Creek crossings are genuine water crossings rather than culverted crossings, depth varies by season and can be significant in spring runoff. A Black Hills Motorized Trail Permit is required and available online or at the Northern Hills Ranger District in Spearfish (605-642-4622), which also handles current conditions and trail closure reporting. The Nemo area is approximately 25 miles northwest of Rapid City.