If you're searching for side-by-side or ATV rentals near Vernal, you should know that traditional self-guided rentals are limited in the area. The better option — and often the same price — is a guided UTV tour that includes the machine, an expert guide, safety gear, and access to trails you'd never find on your own.

The Rental Problem in Vernal

Unlike Moab or Sand Hollow, Vernal doesn't have a large self-guided UTV rental industry. The best backcountry trails in the Uintah Basin require local knowledge to navigate — there are no marked trailheads, no posted signs, and GPS alone won't get you to the petroglyphs, arches, and canyon routes that make the area special.

That's why most visitors who come looking for a rental end up booking a guided tour instead. You get the same machine time, plus a curated experience that includes stops at ancient rock art, historic Wild West sites, and terrain you'd drive right past on your own.

What a Guided Tour Includes

Adventure Tours Vernal provides everything you'd get from a rental — and more. Each guest gets a Kawasaki KRX 1000 2-seater side-by-side with FOX 2.5 PODIUM LSC suspension, power steering, automatic transmission, and a full roll cage. Helmets and safety gear are provided. A comprehensive safety briefing covers vehicle operation before you hit the trail.

The difference is the guide. Dave and Trudy Wilson ride alongside your group in their own KRX machines for the full three hours, pointing out rock art panels, explaining the geology, sharing the history, and navigating terrain that would take a first-time visitor hours to figure out alone. They adjust the pace to your group — relaxed scenic cruising or more aggressive backcountry riding.

Cost Comparison

A typical half-day UTV rental in Utah runs $250–$400+ for just the machine — no guide, no gear, no trail knowledge. Adventure Tours Vernal's guided tour is $299 per machine for three hours, including the KRX 1000, guide, helmets, safety gear, and access to five distinct trail systems. The $100 ride-along option adds a third person riding as a passenger with Dave or Trudy.

When you factor in what you'd spend on a rental plus trying to find trails worth riding, the guided tour is the better value and the better experience.

Five Trail Systems to Choose From

Instead of being handed a machine and a generic map, you get to choose from five curated trail experiences: Doc's Beach for sandy open terrain, Moonshine Arch for red rock canyons and a hidden arch, Ashley Gorge for dramatic canyon walls, Outlaw Trail for rugged Wild West backcountry, and Asphalt Ridge for panoramic ridge-top views. Dave helps you pick the right trail for your group when you book.

Booking Tip: If you're set on unguided riding, BLM land east of town has open riding areas — but you'll need your own machine or trailer rental. For the best Vernal backcountry experience without the logistics headache, a guided tour is the way to go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent a side-by-side in Vernal?

Traditional rentals are limited in Vernal. Guided UTV tours with Adventure Tours Vernal include the machine, guide, gear, and trail access for $299/machine — comparable to rental pricing elsewhere.

How much does a guided UTV tour cost?

$299 per Kawasaki KRX 1000 for 3 hours with up to 2 riders. $100 ride-along add-on. $99/hr/machine overage.

What's the difference between a rental and a guided tour?

A rental gives you a machine and a map. A guided tour gives you a machine, expert local guide, curated trail access, petroglyph stops, safety gear, and a complete backcountry experience.

Skip the Rental — Book a Guided Tour

$299/machine · KRX 1000 included · Expert guides · 5 trail systems

Book a Tour 📞 (435) 219-9447