Saskatchewan Private Land Permission
Getting permission to ride an ATV or UTV across private land in Saskatchewan is more than a courtesy: it helps prevent trespass disputes and protects access for future rides. The hard part is often knowing who can grant permission, what the permission covers, and whether it applies to every rider in your group. Here’s how to clarify access before unloading.
Get permission before entering private land
Do not assume that a road, field edge, trail, or open gate is an invitation to ride. Land may be privately owned even when it looks unused, and permission to cross one part of a property does not automatically include permission to ride elsewhere on it.
Ask the landowner or someone with authority to grant access, such as an authorized occupant or land manager. If you are unsure who has that authority, ask before entering rather than relying on a neighbour’s informal assurance or another rider’s past access.
Permission should be specific enough that everyone understands what is allowed. Clarify:
- Which property or route you may use
- Where you can enter and leave
- Whether you may ride trails, fields, or both
- Whether the permission covers an ATV, a UTV, or both
- Whether passengers, children, guests, or a group are included
- Whether you may return on another day
- Whether any areas, dates, or activities are off limits
A landowner might agree to let you cross a field to reach another area but not to ride around the property. A rancher might allow access to one trail but need riders to stay away from livestock, equipment, crops, or buildings. Treat permission as limited to what was actually agreed, not as general access to the land.
Saskatchewan’s rules about private land access and its ATV operating rules are separate questions. Having the owner’s permission does not necessarily exempt a rider from provincial requirements or make every route legal to use. For example, permission to reach a public road does not itself authorize riding along that road or ditch. Check the applicable rules for the proposed route, including Saskatchewan Trespass Law for Riders and Saskatchewan Rules for Riding Farm Ground.
| Situation | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Crossing a field | The exact crossing route and whether you may stop or ride elsewhere |
| Using a private trail | The trail boundaries, permitted machines, and access dates |
| Bringing a group | Whether permission covers every rider, passenger, and guest |
| Returning later | Whether permission is ongoing or limited to a particular visit |
| Riding near a road | Whether the road or ditch has separate access rules |
| Riding on leased or Crown land | Who controls access and whether additional permission is needed |
Make the permission clear and easy to verify
A short conversation can be enough for a simple, one-time crossing, but written permission is useful when access is recurring, the property has multiple users, or a group is involved. A text or email can help both sides remember what was agreed. It does not need to be complicated: identify the land, the route, the riders or group, and any conditions.
If the permission is verbal, repeat the details back before riding. For instance: “We can use the marked trail between the north gate and the creek today, but we should stay out of the pasture and leave the gate as we found it.” That kind of confirmation helps catch misunderstandings before they become a problem.
Be especially clear when someone else is arranging the ride. A friend’s permission may not cover your whole group, and a landowner may have agreed to a specific person, day, or route only. Ask whether each rider is included and whether the landowner expects names or advance notice.
Written permission should not be treated as a substitute for obeying restrictions. If the landowner asks riders to avoid a crop field, stay off a wet section, or keep away from livestock, follow that instruction even if it is not written down. Permission can also be limited or withdrawn, so riders should leave if the person controlling access asks them to do so.
Keep a copy of any written permission where it can be reached during the ride, such as on a phone. Carrying a way to identify the property and contact the person who granted access can help resolve a question calmly. Separately, keep ownership documents and insurance information available as needed; permission to ride is not proof of ownership or insurance. See Saskatchewan Proof of Ownership on the Trail and Saskatchewan ATV Insurance Requirements for those separate issues.
Check what kind of land you are riding on
“Private land” can describe different situations, and the person you need to contact depends on who controls the land and how it is being used. A farm property, a cabin lot, and a leased area should not be treated as interchangeable.
On a farm or ranch, speak with the landowner or the person currently managing the property. The owner may have delegated access decisions to a family member, tenant, or manager, but do not assume that any person working nearby can grant permission. Farm use can also involve active hazards, including machinery, livestock, fences, and changing field conditions. For practical context, see Saskatchewan Machines Used on a Farm.
A cabin or recreational property may have an owner who is not present. Contact the owner or the person authorized to manage access rather than entering because a gate is open or a track is visible. A trail that appears established may be used by the owner, a neighbour, or a service provider without being open to general ATV traffic. Saskatchewan Machines Used at a Cabin discusses why a machine’s usual location does not settle where it may be ridden.
A grazing lease is not automatically the same as privately owned land. Land may be Crown land under lease, and access can involve both land status and the leaseholder’s use of the area. Do not rely only on permission from a nearby landowner if the proposed route crosses a lease or other Crown land. Check Saskatchewan Grazing Lease Access Rules and Saskatchewan Crown Land Riding Permission before setting out.
Also check whether a trail enters a municipality, park, or other area with separate restrictions. A private landowner’s permission applies to that land; it does not grant access to adjoining public land or override a local rule. Before planning a route through several properties, confirm each section separately and look up local requirements with Saskatchewan Bylaw Lookups Before You Ride.
Ride within the permission you were given
Once access is approved, make the ride predictable and considerate. Use the agreed route, keep the group together, and avoid exploring side tracks unless the landowner has said they are included. If a trail is blocked, muddy, or unsafe, turn around or ask for direction rather than creating a detour across fields or around a fence.
Before entering, review any property instructions with every rider. Make sure children and guests understand where they may go, and do not assume a passenger knows the boundaries. If the group splits up, each rider should still be able to identify the permitted route and know whom to contact.
Pay attention to gates and livestock. Ask what the owner wants done with gates before the ride, then leave them as instructed. Close an open gate only when that is what the landowner expects; on some properties, gate position communicates where livestock are meant to be. Keep a safe distance from animals and do not chase or crowd them.
Avoid riding when conditions could damage the property. Wet ground can rut, and a route that was suitable in dry weather may become unsuitable after rain or thaw. If you are unsure, ask before continuing. The same applies to driving near crops, irrigation equipment, fences, buildings, or parked machinery.
If a landowner or occupant approaches the group, stop somewhere safe, shut down if asked, and explain who granted access. Do not argue that an old permission, open gate, or familiar trail gives permanent rights. If access is disputed, leave calmly and contact the person who granted permission later.
Finally, keep access separate from other legal requirements. Private-land permission does not automatically make a road, ditch, Crown land route, or trail elsewhere available to ride. It also does not replace applicable equipment, insurance, age, or operating rules. If a route leaves the property, check the rules for that next section before riding; Saskatchewan Rules for Riding a Ditch explains why permission for one parcel should not be treated as permission for the whole route.
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.
