Where to Ride When Your Machine Is Too Wide
A wide side-by-side can turn a Wyoming ride into a frustrating search for routes: a trail that looks open on a map may have a 50-inch restriction, a narrow gate, or a seasonal closure. This guide explains how to find routes that fit your machine, check the rules before unloading, and avoid treating “wide enough” as the same thing as “open to ride.”
Why width matters on Wyoming routes
Trails and roads can have different limits
Wyoming riding areas include narrow trails, wider roads, and routes managed under different rules. A route’s appearance does not tell you which machines are allowed. Some trails are limited by width, while a road nearby may have different access conditions. The land manager’s designation—not simply the surface or apparent width—determines whether you can legally ride there.
The 50-inch limit is especially important if you ride a side-by-side. A machine wider than that may not be allowed on a trail designated for narrower vehicles. Even if your tires seem to fit, the official limit may apply to the machine’s width, and widening your path or driving around an obstacle is not a safe workaround. For more background, see Wyoming’s 50-Inch Trail Limit and Which Wyoming Trails Are Held to 50 Inches.
Width is only one part of the route check
A route that is not marked with a 50-inch restriction is not automatically open to every machine. It may be closed to motorized travel, limited to certain vehicle types, subject to a seasonal closure, or passable only when a gate is open. A wide road on a map can also end at a narrow trail or a signed closure, so check the full route rather than just the first section.
Before riding, compare the machine’s actual width with the route information. Manufacturer specifications can help, but accessories such as wider tires, wheel spacers, doors, or aftermarket components may change the machine’s overall footprint. If a posted sign and a map seem to disagree, don’t assume the more permissive interpretation is correct. Stop and confirm the route’s status with the responsible land manager before continuing.
Where a wider machine may fit
Look for designated roads, not just ATV trails
When a machine is too wide for a narrow trail, designated roads may be a better option. Forest roads and BLM routes can offer wider travel corridors, but their access rules still vary by location. A road being physically wide enough does not make it legally open to your machine. Check the land manager’s travel map, route designation, and any signs at the road entrance.
In practice, this means planning around the route rather than trying to squeeze a wide machine onto a trail intended for smaller equipment. Wyoming has extensive public-land routes, but access is not blanket permission to ride anywhere. Start with Wyoming’s Enrolled Roads and Trails and Wyoming Trail Maps and MVUMs to understand how designated routes and motor vehicle maps fit into trip planning.
Consider riding areas with a mix of route types
Some areas have a combination of roads, trails, and open riding opportunities, but a mixed network still requires careful route selection. For example, a rider heading toward the Killpecker Sand Dunes or Poison Spider OHV Park should review the specific access and riding rules for the intended area. Don’t assume that every road to an area, or every track shown in an app, is open to your vehicle.
If you’re searching near Casper, the routes around Poison Spider may be worth investigating; if you’re near Rock Springs, look into the riding opportunities around Killpecker. Treat those names as starting points for research, not as guarantees that every route accommodates a wide UTV. For more location ideas, see Best Places to Ride an ATV in Wyoming and Wyoming Trails for a Wide Side-by-Side.
| What you find | What to verify before riding |
|---|---|
| A trail marked for narrower machines | Whether the width limit excludes your machine |
| A forest or BLM road | Whether motorized travel is allowed for your vehicle type |
| A route shown in a mapping app | Whether the official map and signs confirm it is open |
| An open riding area | Boundaries, closures, and any vehicle-specific restrictions |
| A gate or barrier | Whether it is open to public motorized travel and whether access continues beyond it |
How to check a route before unloading
Use maps as planning tools, then verify on the ground
Digital maps can help you see route networks and plan a loop before you reach the trailhead. Apps such as onX Offroad can be useful for exploring mapped roads and trails, comparing possible routes, and spotting where a proposed ride may connect to other routes. Use the app to narrow your options—not as the sole authority on whether a route is open to your machine.
Compare your planned route with the applicable travel management map or motor vehicle use map. Pay attention to the land manager, the route designation, and any seasonal dates or vehicle restrictions. A route that crosses from one jurisdiction to another may have different rules on each segment. Keep a map available for the ride, because cell service may be limited once you leave town.
Read signs and closures as part of the route
At the trailhead or road entrance, look for signs that identify closures, vehicle limits, or seasonal restrictions. A sign on the ground can provide important information that is easy to miss during online planning. If a route is signed closed, do not ride around the barrier or continue on an adjacent track to get past it. Find an authorized alternative instead.
When the information is unclear, pause before committing your group to the route. Contact the relevant land manager or ask at a nearby ranger or visitor office if one is available. The extra check can save a long backtrack—and reduce the chance of damaging a trail, disturbing wildlife, or receiving a citation. When a Map and a Sign Disagree and Why a Land Manager Must Mark a Route Open are useful topics to review when planning.
A practical plan for wide UTV riders
Measure your machine and choose a conservative route
Start with the machine’s width, including any modifications that extend beyond the factory setup. If your side-by-side is wider than a stated trail limit, remove that trail from the plan rather than hoping it will fit. For unmarked routes, confirm the designation instead of using physical width as your only guide.
Then build a ride around routes that are confirmed open and suitable for your vehicle. A simple plan might include a legal access road, a designated route, a turnaround point, and a backup option. Leave enough flexibility to change course if you encounter a closure, an unexpectedly narrow section, or a route that does not match the map.
A mapping app can help organize that plan. For instance, onX Offroad may help you compare route options and prepare an offline map where the app supports it. Still, check the official land-manager information and posted signs, and carry a practical backup such as a downloaded map or paper map. Don’t rely on a phone screen alone if your route enters an area with weak service or your battery runs low.
Make the ride safer for your group and the land
Wide machines need room to turn, pass, and stop safely. If a road narrows, don’t force a pass beside another rider or push through brush to make space. Find a safe place to wait or turn around, and keep the entire vehicle on the authorized route. Riding around a puddle or obstacle can widen a track and damage surrounding vegetation.
Before setting out, make sure everyone in the group knows the route limits and the plan for a closure or separation. Agree on a turnaround point and avoid letting faster riders disappear beyond a junction. If you’re riding with friends on narrower machines, check that the chosen route works for the whole group rather than splitting the ride between incompatible trails.
A good pre-ride checklist is straightforward:
- Measure the machine at its widest point, including modifications.
- Identify routes designated for your vehicle type.
- Check the current travel map and seasonal restrictions.
- Review signs at each entrance and junction.
- Keep a backup route that is also confirmed open.
- Turn around when a route is closed or doesn’t match your plan.
Common mistakes to avoid
Don’t assume a road is open because it looks wide
A broad gravel road can still be closed to motorized recreation, restricted to certain users, or subject to a seasonal limit. Similarly, a route visible in a mapping app may reflect mapped geography without establishing that it is legally open for your particular ride. Confirm both access and vehicle suitability.
This matters especially when a route crosses different land jurisdictions. A road may be open on one segment and restricted farther along. Plan to check the entire route, including connecting roads and the return trip, instead of assuming that reaching the first open section settles the question.
Don’t treat a narrow section as permission to improvise
If your machine cannot fit through a route as designated, don’t make a wider path by going around trees, barriers, or wet ground. That can cause resource damage and may take you outside the authorized route. Backtracking is inconvenient, but it is safer and more responsible than creating a new track or continuing onto a restricted trail.
A little extra planning can make wide-machine riding much less stressful. Choose routes by their official designation, verify them against current maps and signs, and use apps such as onX Offroad as planning aids rather than substitutes for land-manager information. When the route’s status or width limit is uncertain, pause and confirm before you ride.
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.
