Winter Grooming

FISH CANYON FAT BIKE TRAIL & BEARLODGE FAT BIKE TRAIL

A BHNF-Bearlodge Ranger District/SCGMBA joint venture to bring a FAT BIKE system into play in the Black Hills.

By definition, fat biking is prohibited by a special order in the XC ski areas and the snowmobile trails in parts of South Dakota and parts of Bearlodge Snowmobile Trails. However, with clubs securing permits, it is allowed. SCGMBA was the first!

History:

SCGMBA proposed a plan to groom the Bearlodge for fat biking. We were told to look at other options, specifically Black Buttes, an area south of Sundance, WY. We scouted and came up with Fish Canyon. We were then asked to create another fat bike trail system in Bearlodge, and we succeeded.

Present:

The fat bike grooming in Bearlodge and Fish Canyon is suspended for the season of 2025. There are plans to move the fat bike trail to newer and more sustainable snow to groom and for easier access. Talks are also ongoing to allow fat biking on cross-country ski trails. FS/Volunteers/SCGMBA are involved.

We ask you, the fat biker, to use the fat bike-specific area as much as possible.

We are working on changing the special order for more snowmobile trails. Some snowmobile access is available in the Bearlodge Snowmobile system.

Trail A to junction of Trail J to Bearlodge Safety Shelter is still usable if Wyoming State Trails has been grooming snowmobile trail. Ride with lights on for safety. 

Contact BHNF Bearlodge for current winter over the snow regulations.

TRAIL CONDITION ETIQUETTE

SUPPORT MORE ACCESS FOR SNOWMOBILE TRAILS & BUY AN OSV STICKER FROM THE STATE OF WYOMING TRAILS PROGRAM.

NO E-BIKES ON SNOWMOBILE TRAILS OR GROOMED FAT BIKE TRAILS - THEY ARE CONSIDERED MOTORIZED WHEELED VEHICLES.

WE CHECKED, AND EVEN IN WINTER, NO ALLOWANCES ARE MADE.

This is an at-risk activity, and you are responsible for your own actions.

REF: Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 1-1-121 to 1-1-123

Fish Canyon Map

Bearlodge Trail Map