ATV and UTV riding, outside the park
The difference from a jeep tour is simple: you drive. Same public land, same reason it is not inside the park, a very different day.
- Where they run
- Public land outside the park
- You drive
- Yes, that is the point
- Inside Zion
- Not permitted
- Licence rules
- Vary, always ask
The same boundary rule as everything motorised
No off road tour company is permitted to operate inside Zion National Park, and there are no off road routes in the park to use. Every ATV and UTV trip sold near Springdale runs on public land outside the boundary.
The terrain out there is genuinely good, high desert two track with long views, and it is empty compared with the canyon. But go in understanding that this is an activity near Zion rather than in it.
Jeep or ATV, which one
Take a jeep tour
Be drivenSomeone else handles the vehicle and you look at the country. Better if you want interpretation, if you have young children, or if nobody in the group wants to concentrate for four hours.
Details and typical costs on the jeep tours page.
Ride an ATV or UTV
Drive itYou are operating a machine on rough ground, which is the entire appeal and also the entire commitment. Expect dust, noise and concentration rather than a scenic amble.
Better for confident drivers and groups who want to be active rather than shown around.
What to verify directly
We are not quoting prices, ages or licence requirements on this page, because we have not verified them against operator material and getting any of them wrong would matter.
Ask the operator
- Driver licence and age rules. These vary by vehicle type and by whether you are on a guided trip or a rental, and Utah rules are specific.
- Whether it is guided or self guided. A rental turns you loose; a tour keeps you with a leader.
- What is included. Helmets, goggles, fuel and any required gratuity.
- Where exactly you ride, by name, so you know what country you are seeing.
Practical notes
- Dust is the whole story. Do not wear anything you care about, and bring eye protection even if provided.
- Heat. Midsummer afternoons on exposed high desert are hard work. Ride early.
- Noise and children. Younger passengers often find it long and loud.
- Not a park substitute. If it is your only day, the canyon is the better use of it.
Why this page is shorter than the others
Everywhere else on this site we publish figures we have checked against the operator’s own material. For ATV and UTV trips we have not done that work yet, so rather than repeat numbers from a marketplace listing we have left them out. We would rather this page be thin and correct than full and wrong. See how this site works.
Common questions about ATV and UTV tours near Zion
Can I ride an ATV inside Zion National Park?
No. Off road vehicle use is not permitted in Zion and no off road company operates inside the boundary. All riding happens on public land outside the park.
What is the difference between a jeep tour and an ATV tour?
On a jeep tour you are driven and can look around. On an ATV or UTV you operate the machine yourself, which is the appeal and also means concentrating rather than sightseeing.
Do I need a driver's licence?
Rules vary by vehicle type and by whether the trip is guided or a rental, and Utah has specific requirements. Ask the operator directly rather than assuming.
How much does it cost?
We have not verified current pricing against operator material, so we are not quoting a figure. Ask the operator for a current rate and what it includes.
Is it suitable for children?
It depends on the vehicle and the operator's age rules, and many children find several hours of dust and noise long. Ask about age limits and whether children ride as passengers.
Ride the land outside the boundary
Empty high desert two track, minutes from Springdale.
Also useful: the outfitter directory and when to come.
Confirm licence rules and age limits directly with the operator.
Compare with jeep tours