Meet Ty Brown, NOHVCC's New South Dakota State Partner

In 2025, the NOHVCC Network Development Team proudly approved Ty Brown as a new State Partner representing South Dakota. Ty came to NOHVCC highly recommended and brings with him a strong passion for OHV recreation, stewardship, and community involvement. His motivation and hands-on experience make him an outstanding addition to the NOHVCC family.

We invite you to take a moment to learn more about Ty through a recent interview and get to know him a little better.

What clubs, associations, or background do you have that benefit NOHVCC?

I am currently a member of Black Hills Jeeps, where I serve as the Public Lands Chairman, and I am also an associate member of the Black Hills 4 Wheelers. In addition, I act as an ambassador for the Black Hills 4x4 Coalition.

I am a Tread Lightly! Trainer and serve as the regional expert for the Black Hills for OnX Offroad. A large part of my role involves maintaining open and active communication with the Black Hills National Forest, frequently meeting with land managers to discuss trail maintenance and sustainability. I also previously served on the Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board, representing developed recreation and OHV use until the board was disbanded earlier this year.

Another asset I bring is a small but fun YouTube channel, Judith the Jeep. The channel highlights the wide range of OHV adventures available—from rock crawling and camping to off-road history and race events. My hope is that viewers are inspired to get involved in the OHV community, whether that means planning their own adventures, supporting local club events, or hosting trail cleanups. It’s something I truly enjoy when time allows.

What type of OHV activity do you enjoy?

Most of my time is spent exploring in one of my Jeeps—whether that’s dispersed camping, traveling two-track routes, or tackling more challenging rock-crawling trails. Above all, I simply enjoy being outdoors.

While I may not personally ride single-track or 62-inch-or-less trails here, I am a strong supporter and advocate for all forms of OHV travel. We all share the same trail systems and are united through volunteer efforts to keep those trails open and sustainable.

What accomplishments have you made in the OHV community?

There are three accomplishments I’m particularly proud of.

The first was being named Tread Lightly! Ambassador of the Year in 2024. The second was working with the Forest Service to clarify and reopen a popular obstacle on one of our rock-crawling routes. That obstacle had been a point of debate for several years, so seeing signage removed and the route officially recognized as open was a huge win.

The project that means the most to me, however, was my very first one. A truck had been abandoned near one of my favorite campgrounds along a road open to all users. After sitting for years and becoming a dumping site, it was clear no one was coming back for it. Working alongside the local sheriff’s department and the National Forest, I received approval to remove it. With the help of my friends Denver, Thomas, and Tyge, we successfully removed the vehicle, and the area experienced an incredible turnaround.

That project was a turning point for me. It led to hosting cleanups, educational events, and becoming involved in the OHV community at a much deeper level.

Have you attended a NOHVCC Conference or Great Trails Workshop? What has been your experience so far?

I attended the NOHVCC Annual Conference in Oregon this year. While I am still new to the State Partner role, I’m excited about the opportunities NOHVCC brings to improving recreation in our area.

What do you hope to accomplish as a State Partner with NOHVCC?

I would love to see NOHVCC assist with the development of trailheads that support our rock-crawling routes. As this form of OHV recreation continues to grow in popularity in our area, our infrastructure needs to evolve alongside it. Improving trailheads will help create long-term sustainability for the sport.

How could NOHVCC help make your state more appealing to the OHV community?

Education is key. Public lands and OHV trails face increasing pressure—from funding challenges and politics to resource damage. Many users focus only on weekend trips, but it’s critical to think long-term. What we do today directly impacts how we can access these trails tomorrow.

Helping new users understand that respected trails are open trails would not only benefit South Dakota, but the entire OHV community nationwide.

NOHVCC looks forward to working with Ty Brown and is excited to see what this new partnership will accomplish. If you would like to connect with Ty or any of our State Partners, please visit the NOHVCC website and search by state. If you feel you would make an excellent candidate to become a State Partner, please visit our website here and fill out an application. 

Welcome to NOHVCC, Ty!