ATV rides are one of our favorite adrenaline rushes, making us feel alive and accomplished. Most times when we drove ATVs it has been on an ATV tour. We’ve driven ATVs through sugar cane farms to a hidden waterfall in Kauai, Hawaii’s Garden Isle. On the southern coast of Aruba, we drove ATVs to a fort, and we’ve chugged our way through sand near Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. In North Carolina, we drove through mud. They even instructed us to wear clothes that could get muddy. That’s when you know it’s gonna be fun. In Kauai, they gave us clothes to put over our own shirts and pants, cuz Hawaiian volcanic soil doesn’t wash out that easily, even though they provided an after-ATV shower.
Most ATVs we’ve rented were guided tours. But the first two in this post are freedom rides. They instruct you how to ride so you don’t crash, how to drive and stop the ATV, and you ride anywhere within the range they designate.
Silver Lake near Mears, Michigan
One of our favorite places to ATV wasn’t even a tour. It was a freedom ride to go zooming around on the sand dunes of Silver Lake State Park in Michigan. There, near the coast of Lake Michigan, we rented a Can Am from Silver Lake Buggy Rentals and had a blast revving it up the steep sandy hills.
To see our drive up the dune at full throttle, click this link: https://youtube.com/shorts/Z2u4fDNDT9s and you’ll see the dune isn’t crowded and it’s easy to see other drivers.
The rental companies provide detailed instructions and take you on a training lap, since there are specific directions you’re to ride that allow for maximum safety. They also tell you how not to break an axle, because, well, you know, that’d be an expensive repair. Many people come to this area with their own ATVs for fun rides and gathering at the top of the dunes to watch people try to make it up the hills. Rent the most powerful Can Am you can afford, so you can as fast.
Florence, Coast of Oregon
This also was a have-at-it freedom ride. Keith and I shared an ATV for this adventure from Torex ATV Rentals. This place was a bit harder to drive than Silver Lake, since the short hills and color of the sand made it hard to go fast for long periods of time. No one way directions on the course made for anyone to drive any direction, so we were cautious in our approaches to peaks and turns in order to avoid tipping or crashing into others. The further away you go from the starting point, the fewer people.
We did have to call the rental company, Torex, to come out and find us, as we got a bit disoriented on this large course. But, that makes for part of the adrenalin rush, right?
Kanab, Utah
This guided ATV tour of Hog Canyon took us through arid red sand and over nearly impossible terrain. We buzzed up trails to an overlook where we could gaze down at the pioneer town of Kanab. Then, the challenge began as we raced and wound our way over boulders in gravity-defying turns with 2 tires not even touching the boulders. I’m proud to say that Donna, who was driving the other ATV, and I, didn’t tip and we didn’t get stuck.
Well, OK, I hesitated and Keith had to coach me over and through the boulder area, but my adventurous husband got me through it – and we didn’t crash. Awesome trip, man! We booked with Kanab Tour Company. This was probably the most ATV difficult drive, because how many tours do you use only 2 wheels on a curve and go over boulders?
El Paso, Texas
Keith and I each rented our own ATV with UTV Off-Road Adventures at Red Sands and took a tour with an experienced guide through sandy paths in the desert of El Paso. We stopped at a few look out points and heard tales of bodies found due to being lost. These paths are windy and intersect in ways that would definitely lead to disorientation.
Our guide with blasted it at full throttle on the way back, and our small group followed him close enough to avoid being left behind. The rental company provides short tours, which allows for more activities to be squeezed into a day.
Gear
Wear old clothes or clothes with patterns in case you can’t wash out the dirt. Do not put lip balm on unless you want a sand lipstick. Yes, we did that—once. A polyester gator or scarf can help keep the dirt and dust out of your mouth and nose. Most ATV places provide goggles, but bring sunglasses just in case. Hiking pants made of non-cotton are a good choice and long sleeves protect you from the sun.
A dirty day is a good day! “Drop the pedal and go!” (from “Freeway of Love” sung by Aretha Franklin)