Capitol Reef Country is a playground for adventure lovers from around the country. From hiking and biking to horseback riding and fishing, there are all sorts of exciting outdoor activities to experience during your stay. For the true adrenaline junkies, there is one adventure that seems to stand out above the rest—ATV riding.
With hundreds of miles of scenic off-road routes to explore, Capitol Reef Country is a phenomenal place to fire up an ATV and hit the trails. If you’re getting ready for your first ATV ride, it’s important to educate yourself before you put the pedal to the metal. We’ve rounded up the basics so you can ensure that your experience is both safe and fun.
Here are our top 5 ATV riding tips for beginners:
Educate yourself.
As a beginner, you’ll want to invest some time in ATV safety training before you get started. The ATV Safety Institute offers free online courses that you can take to make you feel more comfortable ahead of your ride. You can also take a hands-on course that would allow you to gain firsthand experience while learning how to safely ride an ATV.
Wear ATV safety gear.
Before you start your ride, it’s essential to prepare with the basic ATV safety gear. As a general rule of thumb, you should ride in long pants, long sleeves, hiking boots or protective shoes, goggles, and a helmet. If you want to take it a step further, you can also grab additional safety gear like a chest protector, knee guards, and a tool kit. In addition, you should bring a basic first aid kit along in case of injury.
Never ride alone.
Regardless of whether or not you’re new to the wild world of ATV riding, it’s best practice to ride in groups or with at least one other vehicle. You never know what might happen and it’s always a good idea to have a buddy with you in the event that you crash, get stuck, run out of gas, or get injured. Plus, it’s more fun with a friend!
Stay on the ATV trails.
From relaxing cruises to blood-pumping thrill rides, there are plenty of off-road trails surrounding Capitol Reef National Park to choose from. Keep in mind that off-road travel is not allowed within the park and riding on public roads is a recipe for disaster. Check the trail map before you head out and be sure to drive only on marked trails during your ride.
Ride responsibly.
Responsible riding begins with making sure you are sober and alert before you get on an ATV. Many trails post rules regarding speed limits, usage, and out of bounds limits. As you begin your Capitol Reef ATV ride, start off slow and allow yourself to get used to the machine. No one is immune to accidents, so ride safely and avoid taking risks.
Ready to hit the trail? Check out our blog post on the best Capitol Reef ATV trails to help determine which route works best for you. Enjoy the adventure and don’t drive too fast—you wouldn’t want to miss that breathtaking alpine scenery!
Keep Capitol Reef Country Forever Mighty
What is Forever Mighty? It’s practicing responsible travel while visiting Utah and Capitol Reef Country by following the principles of Tread Lightly and Leave No Trace.
Plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, be considerate of others, support local business and honor community, history and heritage. Help us keep Utah and Capitol Reef Country’s outdoor recreation areas beautiful, healthy, and accessible.