UTV Tours Near Dinosaur National Monument

The Backcountry Beyond the Monument

Motorized vehicles aren't allowed inside Dinosaur National Monument, but the BLM land and backcountry surrounding the monument features the same geological formations, canyon systems, and ancient rock art — plus off-road trail access that puts you deep into terrain the monument's scenic drives can only hint at.

Adventure Tours Vernal operates five trail systems through this landscape. The Outlaw Trail follows historic routes used by Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch through remote canyon country. Moonshine Arch winds through red rock canyons to a hidden natural sandstone arch. Ashley Gorge runs through a dramatic corridor with towering walls. The terrain and geology are continuous with what you see inside the monument — you're riding through the same ancient landscape.

Petroglyphs, Rock Art & Ancient History

The Fremont and Ute peoples who left petroglyphs and pictographs inside the monument also left them throughout the surrounding backcountry. Several Adventure Tours Vernal trail routes pass directly by rock art panels that aren't accessible from any paved road — these are sites you'd never find without a guide who knows where to look. The connection between the monument's cultural history and the living landscape surrounding it is one of the most compelling parts of a guided tour.

Pairing a UTV Tour with Your Monument Visit

The most popular approach is booking a morning UTV tour and visiting the Quarry Exhibit Hall in the afternoon, or the reverse. Adventure Tours Vernal is based 20 minutes west of the monument's main entrance, so logistics are easy. A 3-hour guided tour plus a half-day at the quarry makes a full day of Dinosaur Country exploration that covers both the fossil record and the living backcountry.

For multi-day visitors, adding a UTV tour to your monument itinerary turns a standard national park trip into something much more memorable. The kids will remember the UTV ride longer than the visitor center.

What the Tour Includes

Kawasaki KRX 1000 2-seater side-by-sides with FOX 2.5 PODIUM LSC suspension, helmets, safety gear, and expert guides. Dave and Trudy Wilson ride alongside your group in their own machines. Three hours, $299 per machine with up to 2 riders. All skill levels welcome — no prior off-road experience needed.