Wyoming’s 50-Inch Trail Limit

A 50-inch trail restriction can derail a Wyoming ride when a side-by-side is wider than the route allows, even if the vehicle is otherwise legal and the trail looks open. The key is knowing which routes have width limits, how to check your machine, and how to plan around closures before you unload. This guide explains how to make those decisions with confidence.

What Wyoming’s 50-inch trail limit means

It is a route restriction, not a statewide vehicle rule

The phrase “50-inch trail limit” can sound as though every ATV or UTV in Wyoming must be 50 inches wide or less. That is not the right way to think about it. A width restriction applies to particular trails or route segments where the land manager has set that limit. Other routes in the same general riding area may allow wider machines, while some roads may have no 50-inch limit at all.

That distinction matters when you are planning a trip to places such as the Medicine Bow National Forest, the Bighorn National Forest, or riding areas around Casper and Laramie. A region’s name is not enough to tell you what will fit. You need to check the specific route and the rules that apply to it. For an overview of designated routes, see [Which Wyoming Trails Are Held to 50 Inches].

A machine that is wider than 50 inches may still be useful in Wyoming. It may be able to use routes open to wider vehicles, certain roads, or other approved riding areas. But you cannot assume that a wider route nearby connects to every narrow trail you want to ride. A legal route network can have branches, junctions, and restrictions that change from one segment to the next.

Width limits are about protecting access and trail conditions

A narrow trail is not simply a wide road with less room on either side. It may cross steep slopes, pass through trees, wind along a hillside, or occupy a corridor that would be damaged if wider vehicles used it. Keeping vehicle widths within a limit can help manage erosion, vegetation impacts, trail widening, and conflicts between different kinds of users.

In Wyoming, those concerns can be especially visible where routes cross fragile ground or climb through changing terrain. A vehicle that barely fits between trees on a dry day may scrape branches or push riders off the established tread when the route is wet or rutted. A width rule helps keep the vehicle and trail within the space the route was designed to accommodate.

The restriction is also practical for rider safety. A machine that is too wide for a corridor can be difficult to turn around, pass another vehicle, or maneuver around an obstacle without leaving the route. On a narrow hillside trail, stepping off the tread may mean sliding into loose soil or damaging vegetation. Staying within the stated limit helps reduce those avoidable problems.

A route can be open without being open to your machine

“Open” does not always mean “open to every vehicle.” A trail may be available to motorcycles and narrow ATVs while excluding wider UTVs. Another segment may allow wider vehicles but be closed seasonally, temporarily restricted, or limited by a different rule. It is the combination of route status and vehicle eligibility that determines whether you can ride it.

This can be frustrating when an online map shows a continuous line and the trailhead sign says the area is open. Those details might tell you that riding is allowed in the area, but they may not answer whether your machine meets the route’s width class. Look for the route-specific designation, vehicle restriction, and any notes about seasonal or temporary closures.

Before riding, review [Wyoming Rules for Riding a Designated Route] and the current travel information for the land you plan to visit. If you are crossing between federal, state, county, or private land, do not assume one agency’s route rules carry across the boundary. Different managers may apply different access rules to connected-looking segments.

How to measure your ATV or UTV

Start with the machine as you will ride it

For a useful width check, measure the machine in the configuration you plan to take on the trail. Tire size, wheel offset, aftermarket wheels, spacers, fender flares, and other modifications can change the overall width. The number in a brochure or an old online listing may describe a stock model, not the vehicle sitting in your garage.

Park on firm, level ground and keep the tires straight. Use a tape measure to check across the outside edges of the tires, from the widest point on one side to the widest point on the other. That gives you a practical screening measurement for comparing your machine with a 50-inch route limit. For more detail, see [Measuring Your Machine Tire to Tire].

If you have installed accessories that extend beyond the tires, note those too. A plow, side step, wheel cover, or other attachment can affect how safely the machine passes through a narrow corridor, even if the tire-to-tire figure is under the limit. When the official rule or map does not explain exactly how width is measured, ask the land manager rather than relying on a guess.

Measure more than once when the result is close

A measurement close to the stated limit is a reason to slow down and verify, not round down. Tire pressure, tire shape, wheel alignment, and the way the tape sits against a curved sidewall can affect the reading. Measuring twice from different positions is a simple way to catch an error before you make the drive to a trailhead.

If possible, have a second person hold one end of the tape while you check the other side. Keep the tape level and measure across the widest point, rather than diagonally from one tire to the other. Write down the result and the machine setup, especially if you have multiple vehicles or swap wheels between riding seasons.

A measurement is not permission to ride. It is only one part of the decision. The route’s actual rule, any posted signs, and the land manager’s current information still matter. If your machine is very close to the limit, get confirmation about how that route’s limit is applied before relying on your own measurement.

Keep a record of the measurement and modifications

It is easy to forget whether the measurement was taken before or after adding wider tires. Keep a note with the machine’s registration or maintenance paperwork. Include the tire size, wheel setup, any spacers, and the date you checked it. If you change the setup later, measure again rather than assuming the old number still applies.

This small habit is especially helpful for families or groups where several people share machines. One person may know that the ATV has been modified, while another may be planning the route based on the stock specifications. A written note prevents avoidable confusion when you are packing the trailer or comparing routes the night before departure.

When traveling with several machines, measure each one separately. Two units with the same model name can have different widths because of different tires or accessories. A group ride can only use a narrow route if every machine in the group is eligible for that route, so it is worth checking the whole lineup rather than just the lead vehicle.

What to check	Why it matters	Practical next step
Tire-to-tire width	A useful first comparison with a posted width limit	Measure across the widest points with the machine level
Tires and wheel offset	Replacement parts can make a machine wider than stock	Recheck after changing tires, wheels, or spacers
Accessories	Attachments can affect clearance even if tires fit	Remove or account for protruding equipment
Route designation	A trail’s limit may differ from nearby roads or trails	Check the exact segment and land manager’s rules
Signs and closures	Conditions and access can change	Read posted notices and check official updates before riding

Planning routes for different machine widths

Build the ride around the narrowest vehicle

For a group ride, plan for the widest machine when deciding which routes everyone can use. If one side-by-side exceeds the 50-inch restriction, the group cannot simply leave that vehicle behind on a narrow section while the rest continue unless the plan includes a safe, legal place for the group to split and reunite. A route plan should work for every rider, not just the most capable machine.

This is where a little pre-trip coordination saves a lot of frustration. Ask everyone to share their machine’s actual width, not just the make and model. Confirm whether the measurement includes aftermarket tires or accessories. Then compare the widest measurement with the restrictions shown for the specific route segments you want to ride.

If the group has different machine widths, choose a route network that provides enough options for everyone. You might set a shared destination reachable by wider routes, then arrange a separate narrow-trail outing for riders with eligible machines. It is better to agree on that before arriving than to discover at a junction that some riders have to turn back.

Look for connected routes, not just individual trails

A single wide-vehicle route on a map may not solve the problem if it ends before the destination or connects to a restricted trail. Think in terms of a complete ride: where you will unload, what route you will take, where restrictions change, and how you will get back. A short narrow segment can determine whether a much longer loop is available to your machine.

Route planning is particularly important in mountain areas, where an alternate road may add significant distance or lead to a different trailhead. Check junctions carefully and note where you would turn around if access changes. If you are relying on a loop, verify both directions; one branch may have a different designation from another even when they meet at the same crossing.

A map can help you identify possible connections, but a line on a screen is not a guarantee that the route is open to your vehicle. Use official maps and land-manager information to confirm access. Apps such as onX Offroad can be useful for exploring route options and seeing your position in the field, but treat them as a planning aid rather than a substitute for official restrictions and signs.

Have a realistic turnaround plan

A good route plan includes a point where you will turn around if the trail is narrower than expected, a sign shows a restriction you missed, or conditions make continuing unsafe. This is not a failure; it is part of riding responsibly. On a tight trail, attempting a three-point turn with a wide side-by-side can be more difficult than it appears on a map.

Before entering a narrow section, consider whether there is room to turn around, pass another vehicle, or wait safely if someone approaches from the opposite direction. If the route has steep grades or exposed edges, do not assume that backing up will be easy. A group should agree on how riders will communicate and whether the lead rider will stop at questionable junctions.

Avoid pushing past a restriction because the trail looks passable for a few yards. A narrow entrance may open into a wider area, but the rule still applies to the segment. Likewise, a route that seems wide enough on a dry day may become risky when there are deep ruts, downed branches, snowbanks, or mud forcing the vehicle away from the center of the tread.

Reading maps and signs before you ride

Use official travel maps for the governing rules

A Motor Vehicle Use Map, often called an MVUM, is an important tool for understanding which motorized routes are designated on many National Forest lands. It can show route numbers, seasonal designations, vehicle classes, and other restrictions. Read the map legend closely, because the symbols and notes explain what the route markings mean.

An MVUM is not always a complete guide to every kind of information you want for a ride. It may not show every trailhead facility, current hazard, temporary closure, or route condition. Pair it with relevant forest or district notices and posted signs. For a broader overview, see [Wyoming Trail Maps and MVUMs] and [Reading a Wyoming Travel Management Map].

If your ride crosses a boundary, identify which agency manages each section. A route leaving a national forest may enter land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, a county, or a private landowner. The line may look continuous on a phone screen, but the legal access and vehicle restrictions can change at the boundary.

Treat signs on the ground as important information

Trailhead signs and junction signs can provide the clearest warning about a width limit or closure where you are about to enter the route. Stop and read them, even if you have already checked a map. Signs may communicate a temporary closure, a seasonal restriction, or a local rule that is easy to miss when reviewing a broad area map.

If a sign appears to conflict with the map, do not assume the map gives you permission to proceed. Stop, check the land manager’s current guidance, and choose another route if you cannot confirm that access is allowed. A sign may reflect a recent change that has not yet been incorporated into a digital map or printed document.

Take a photo of the sign if you need to remember a restriction or ask the managing office a question later. Note the location or junction name as well. A clear description such as “the signed junction just beyond the trailhead” is much more useful than “a sign somewhere in the forest” when you are trying to confirm which segment is affected.

Use digital mapping as a backup and navigation aid

Offline mapping can be useful in parts of Wyoming where cell service is unreliable. Before leaving town, download the map area you expect to use and confirm that your phone or GPS device can access it without a signal. Carry a charged power bank, and consider keeping an additional navigation option available if the ride takes you far from a road or service point.

onX Offroad can help riders explore route networks, plan a trip, and keep track of their position. It is best used alongside official MVUMs, forest or BLM travel information, and signs on the ground. Check that you are looking at the correct land area and route layer, and do not interpret a visible line as proof that your machine meets the route’s vehicle-width rules.

A reliable map routine is simple: review the official route information at home, save the relevant area for offline use, and verify signs at the trailhead. If the map, app, and sign do not agree, pause and seek clarification rather than choosing whichever source is most convenient. That extra check can prevent a citation, an unsafe turn-around, or damage to a route.

Where wider machines can look for alternatives

Search for routes that expressly allow your vehicle

If your UTV is wider than 50 inches, the next step is not to give up on riding. It is to find routes that are designated for your machine’s width and vehicle class. Wider roads and routes may provide a satisfying ride even if they do not have the narrow, technical character of a single-track trail.

Start with the managing agency’s official travel map for the area you want to visit. Look for the route symbols and notes that correspond to wider vehicles. Then check the route’s connections, seasonal availability, and any local closures. A road may be wide enough but still not be open to motorized recreation, or it may be open only during certain conditions.

Before choosing a base camp, identify more than one ride option. If the first route is closed or unsuitable, a second route in the same area can keep the day enjoyable. The guide [Where to Ride When Your Machine Is Too Wide] is a useful companion for thinking through alternatives rather than trying to squeeze an oversized machine onto a restricted trail.

Match the ride to the terrain and the machine

Width is only one part of whether a route is a good fit. A route may be wide enough but still be steep, rocky, deeply rutted, or exposed. Consider wheelbase, ground clearance, turning radius, tires, rider experience, and the weather. A wide side-by-side can handle some terrain comfortably but may be awkward on a tight switchback or narrow shelf road.

Think about what the ride will feel like for the least experienced driver in the group. A broad gravel road may be the better choice for a family trip or for riders who are new to Wyoming’s elevation and changing weather. More demanding terrain can be saved for a day when everyone is comfortable with the machines and conditions.

Route difficulty information can help set expectations, but ratings are not a guarantee that a particular vehicle will fit. Use [Wyoming Trail Difficulty Ratings] as one planning consideration alongside width restrictions, map details, and weather. If a route description is vague, ask the relevant office or choose a route with clearer vehicle access information.

Do not use public roads as an unofficial bypass

It can be tempting to leave a narrow trail and use a nearby road or two-track to reconnect with a wider route. That is only acceptable if that road is open to your vehicle and you are allowed to ride it. A visible track is not automatically a public route, and a road on a map may have vehicle or seasonal restrictions.

On public land, follow the designated route network and do not create a new track around a restricted section. On private land, you need permission from the landowner. Where routes cross state trust land or grazing leases, additional access rules may apply. Keep your wheels on routes that are legally open rather than treating open-looking ground as a shortcut.

For a trip that crosses multiple route types, review [Wyoming's Enrolled Roads and Trails] and the rules for the land you will cross. If you are uncertain about a connection, ask the managing agency before riding it. A few minutes of checking is easier than dealing with a trespass complaint or having to retrace a long route.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Assuming a model’s advertised width settles the question

A manufacturer’s listed width is a starting point, not always the measurement of your specific vehicle today. A previous owner may have changed the wheels, a dealer may have installed different tires, or you may have added accessories since buying it. Even a small modification can change whether a machine sits below or above a limit.

Measure the vehicle itself and keep the result with your trip notes. If the machine is close to 50 inches, compare your result with the route rule and ask the land manager how the limit is applied. Do not rely on a model year or a forum post when the consequence of being wrong is getting turned around at a trail entrance.

Also avoid measuring only the body panels. The tires may be the widest points, but attachments can stick out beyond them. The goal is not to find the most favorable number; it is to understand whether the vehicle can use the route as the manager defines it and whether it can pass safely without leaving the trail.

Mistaking an open-area label for access to every route

A riding area can be open while particular trails within it have different vehicle rules. Similarly, an area can allow motorized travel but still have seasonal closures, wildlife restrictions, or routes limited to narrow machines. A general statement that a place is “open to OHVs” is not enough to confirm access for a specific UTV.

Check the exact trail or road, not just the name of the forest or recreation area. Look for limits at the entrance and at junctions, and stay alert for temporary notices. If you are using a digital app, zoom in far enough to see where the route changes designation rather than relying on the overall color or category for a large area.

When in doubt, call the local ranger district or land-management office with your machine’s measured width and the route name. Ask whether the specific segment is open to your vehicle and whether any seasonal or temporary closure affects it. Getting a direct answer can save a long drive to a route that does not fit your plans.

Thinking that “almost fits” is close enough

A machine that is just over a posted limit is still over the limit. It does not become eligible because the trail looks broad at the entrance, the tires can pass between the trees, or another rider says they have done it. The restriction applies to the route, not only to the tightest pinch point that you happen to notice.

Trying to force a wide vehicle through a narrow corridor can also cause damage. Tires and bodywork can scrape vegetation, widen the trail, or push the vehicle onto soft edges. If you meet another user or need to maneuver around an obstacle, limited clearance can turn a manageable situation into an unsafe one.

Respecting the restriction protects access for other riders. When users stay within the designated limits, land managers have less reason to close or further restrict routes. If your vehicle does not fit the route, choose an eligible road or trail instead of treating the limit as optional.

A dependable pre-ride checklist

Check the machine before loading the trailer

Measure every ATV or UTV you intend to bring, especially if the vehicle has aftermarket wheels, tires, or accessories. Confirm the tire condition and pressure, and make sure nothing has shifted or become loose since your last ride. If the width is close to a route’s stated limit, verify the rule with the relevant land manager before leaving.

Ask each rider to identify their machine and share its actual width. This avoids the awkward moment when a group reaches a trailhead and discovers one vehicle cannot enter. If you are arranging a group ride, decide ahead of time whether everyone will stay together or whether separate routes make more sense.

Pack the basics for a remote ride: navigation that works offline, water, food, warm layers, a first-aid kit, and a plan for mechanical trouble. Wyoming weather and elevation can change the character of a ride quickly. A route that looks straightforward on a map still deserves preparation, particularly when the trailhead is far from services.

Verify the route and land rules

Review the official map and the managing agency’s route information. Confirm the route is open, that your machine’s vehicle class and width are allowed, and that there are no seasonal or temporary restrictions. If you will cross between different land managers, check each section separately rather than assuming the rules remain the same.

Save map information for offline use and mark trailheads, junctions, and planned turnarounds. Keep a paper map or another backup if the ride is remote. An app such as onX Offroad can help with orientation, but use it together with official route sources and on-the-ground signs.

At the trailhead, read every posted notice before unloading or setting out. If the sign conflicts with what you expected, pause and get clarification. Do not assume that an old screenshot or a route someone rode last season reflects current conditions.

Set expectations for the whole group

Before the ride, talk through the route’s width limits, likely terrain, and turnaround points. Agree that nobody will continue onto a restricted segment just because the rest of the group is already moving. Make sure riders know how to signal a stop, report a problem, and regroup at junctions without blocking traffic.

Plan the ride around the least experienced driver and the machine with the greatest limitations. This may mean choosing a wider, easier route instead of the most technical trail shown online. A comfortable pace and a route everyone can legally use tend to make for a better day than an ambitious plan that strands part of the group.

Finally, build flexibility into the schedule. Weather, closures, mechanical problems, or a route that proves unsuitable can change the day. Having a second option means you can adapt without taking an unauthorized shortcut or pressuring someone to ride a trail their machine cannot safely navigate.

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.