Which Wyoming Trails Are Held to 50 Inches
A 60-inch side-by-side can look perfectly manageable on a Wyoming forest road, then meet a trail marked for machines no wider than 50 inches. The tricky part is that the limit doesn’t apply everywhere, and a broad-looking route may still have a restriction. This guide explains what the rule means, how to check routes before you unload, and what to do if your machine is too wide.
What Wyoming’s 50-inch trail limit means
The limit applies to specific routes, not every Wyoming trail
A 50-inch limit is a route-specific restriction. It means a trail is designated for machines within that width limit—not that every ATV or UTV in Wyoming must be 50 inches wide. Wyoming riding areas include different kinds of routes, from narrow trails to wider roads, and the rules can change from one segment to the next.
That distinction matters when planning in places such as the Medicine Bow National Forest or the Bighorn National Forest. A route shown as open to motorized travel may still have a width designation, seasonal closure, or other condition. Don’t assume that permission to ride in a forest means every route there is suitable for every machine. The route’s designation is what counts.
Some riders hear “50-inch trail” and picture a trail physically squeezed between trees or rocks. The width designation is not simply a description of how wide the path looks. A relatively open track can still be restricted, while another route in the same area may allow wider vehicles. Check the applicable map and signs rather than judging by appearance. [Wyoming's 50-Inch Trail Limit] explains the restriction in more detail, and [Which Wyoming Trails Are Held to 50 Inches] is a useful next read when you’re sorting out where the limit may apply.
The number is a fit requirement, not a suggestion
If your machine is wider than the route allows, choosing a quiet time or riding slowly doesn’t make it an appropriate fit. A wider vehicle can damage vegetation or trail edges when a narrow route forces it to squeeze through. It can also create a safety problem: a rider may have to make a sudden turn or back out if the route narrows around a tree, rock, or steep edge.
There’s a practical side, too. A machine that barely fits in the driveway may not fit comfortably on a tight trail. If the tires or bodywork catch on obstacles, the driver has less room to steer around them. Passengers can also be exposed to branches or rocks close to the trail. A route limit is a reminder to match the vehicle to the terrain, not a challenge to see whether you can get through.
Remember that width restrictions are only one part of route access. A trail may also be closed for the season, limited to certain vehicle types, or subject to other conditions. If you’re planning a trip around one attractive trail, check the entire route and any connecting segments before setting out. [Wyoming Trail Closures to Check First] can help you think beyond width alone.
How to check whether a trail allows your machine
Start with the official travel map for the area
Before a ride, find the current travel-management information for the specific land manager and riding area. For national forests, that commonly means checking the relevant Motor Vehicle Use Map, or MVUM, along with any posted signs or current closure information. A general recreation map can be helpful for orientation, but it may not show every motorized-use restriction.
Pay attention to route labels, map keys, dates, and notes. A thin line on a map may represent a road or trail, but the legend tells you what the line means. If the map marks a width limit or identifies a route for a particular vehicle class, treat that designation as a condition of use. When a route passes between jurisdictions or connects to another management area, check both sides of the boundary; rules can change along the way.
Paper maps are useful when cell service is patchy, but it’s easy to bring an old map from the bottom of a glove box and assume it still applies. Download or obtain the relevant information before the trip, and compare it with signs at the trailhead. [Wyoming Trail Maps and MVUMs] and [Reading a Wyoming Travel Management Map] offer practical guidance on interpreting route information. In the Medicine Bow area, for example, it’s especially important to follow the designated route system rather than treating every visible track as open; see [Medicine Bow Designated Routes Only].
Use digital maps as a planning aid, then confirm on the ground
A digital off-road map can make planning easier because you can zoom in, trace connections, and save routes before leaving home. Tools such as onX Offroad can help you compare a proposed ride with mapped route information and spot places where you should pause to check a designation. It’s also handy for planning around a machine’s width: you can identify alternative routes before the group is already at a narrow trail entrance.
Still, no phone app should be treated as permission to ride a route. Map layers can differ, devices may show old saved data, and a route line alone doesn’t tell you whether a closure or sign has changed access. Use onX Offroad alongside the land manager’s maps and posted information, not instead of them. Save maps for offline use if you expect to be out of coverage, and keep another way to read the route information if your phone battery dies.
At the trailhead, look for signs that identify restrictions or closures. If a sign conflicts with your planned route, stop and resolve the discrepancy before riding farther. Don’t take a guess because the route looks familiar or because another vehicle has already gone through. When the map and signs are unclear, ask the responsible land office or a ranger before you ride. The small delay is far less frustrating than discovering the problem after your group has committed to a long route.
Measure your ATV or UTV before choosing a route
Measure the machine in the way the route information requires
Don’t rely on a manufacturer’s model name, brochure width, or a quick tape measure across the body panels. Different specifications may describe different parts of the vehicle, and accessories can change the actual footprint. Tires, wheel spacers, aftermarket suspension parts, and other modifications can make a machine wider than its original configuration.
For a tire-to-tire measurement, use a level surface and measure the distance across the outside edges of the tires at their widest points. Check the route authority’s instructions if it specifies a different measurement method. Measure the machine as you intend to ride it, with its current tires and modifications—not as it appeared when it left the showroom. [Measuring Your Machine Tire to Tire] walks through the measurement question in more detail.
Write the measurement down and keep it accessible. If you ride with friends, ask each person to check their own machine rather than assuming the group is made up of similar models. Two vehicles with the same general name can have different tire setups or accessories, and one may meet a route restriction while the other does not.
Use the widest machine to plan the group
A group ride needs to work for every vehicle taking part. If one side-by-side is wider than the others, plan around that machine rather than expecting the driver to turn back at a restriction. Before the trip, compare each machine’s measured width with the route’s rules and confirm that every connecting segment permits the group’s vehicles.
This can prevent a familiar trailhead mix-up: one rider arrives with a 50-inch ATV, another arrives in a wider UTV, and the group discovers that their chosen route won’t accommodate everyone. It’s better to choose a different route while you’re still at home than to split up unexpectedly or pressure someone to attempt a trail that isn’t designated for their machine.
| Before the ride | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Measure each machine | Tire-to-tire width or the method specified by the route authority | Vehicle labels and body measurements may not match the route’s measurement rule |
| Check every route segment | Designations, closures, and vehicle restrictions | Limits can change between connected roads and trails |
| Review the map key | Symbols, route classes, and notes | A line on a map does not automatically mean the route suits every machine |
| Check trailhead signs | Posted restrictions or closures | On-the-ground information may affect your planned route |
| Plan for the widest machine | The largest width in the group | Everyone can follow the same legal, suitable route |
What to do if your machine is wider than 50 inches
Choose a route designated for wider vehicles
A width mismatch doesn’t mean the trip is over. It means you need to find a route that fits the vehicle and is open to it. Look for roads or trails whose official designation permits wider machines, and verify any other restrictions before committing. A route that seems wide enough in a photo may still be restricted, so base your decision on route information rather than appearance.
If you’re riding a side-by-side, plan the day around routes marked for that type or width of machine. That may change the character of the ride: a wider route could be a forest road rather than a narrow, technical trail. It may still offer excellent views, access to a staging area, or a way to explore the region without trying to fit a large vehicle onto a route intended for smaller machines. [Wyoming Trails for a Wide Side-by-Side] and [Where to Ride When Your Machine Is Too Wide] can help you think through those alternatives.
A route’s suitability involves more than width. Consider surface, grade, exposure, weather, and your group’s experience. A broad road can still be rough or difficult after rain or snowmelt. Review [Wyoming Trail Difficulty Ratings] before setting expectations for newer riders, children, or anyone who is uncomfortable with steep or uneven terrain.
Don’t try to make a restricted trail work
If a route is marked for vehicles no wider than 50 inches and your machine exceeds that limit, don’t try to squeeze through or rely on the hope that nobody will notice. Driving partly off the trail to make room can damage surrounding ground, and reversing out of a difficult section can put the driver, passengers, and other riders at risk. A restriction is easiest to follow before the machine reaches the narrow part.
If the group discovers a problem at the trailhead, stop and choose another route. If you encounter a restriction partway through a ride, don’t continue deeper into the restricted section. Find a safe place to turn around or back out only if it can be done without putting anyone at risk. When the route situation is confusing, contact the relevant land manager rather than treating uncertainty as permission.
Make the width check part of trip preparation, alongside fuel, weather, and trail-closure checks. Measure your machine, review official route information, confirm signs, and have a backup route that suits the widest vehicle in your group. That modest bit of planning can spare you an awkward turnaround and help protect the narrow trails that make Wyoming riding special.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
