Best UTV or ATV Friendly Campgrounds for Families
What could be better than a family vacation that combines the classic joys of group camping—stargazing, nature walks, etc.—with a good old-fashioned weekend of off-roading or overlanding? Here at Polaris, we love seeing riders of all ages enjoying the up-for-anything capabilities of our ATVs and side-by-sides: the perfect vehicles for family adventure, whether in a well-developed, close-to-home recreation park or the deep backcountry.
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the basics of UTV and ATV trail riding vacations, plus a roundup of some of the top off-road vehicle (ORV) resorts and campsites in the country!
WHAT MAKES A GOOD OFF-ROAD VEHICLE CAMPSITE FOR FAMILIES?
It’s hard to generalize the components of a prime ATV or UTV family campsite, because there are all kinds of families out there. If you’ve got very young kids in tow, you may want a home base that’s a bit more accessible, with a fair amount of amenities and services at hand. If you’ve got older kids, or a family crew well-versed in roughing it, you may prefer seeking out more off-the-beaten-path destinations and do just fine overnighting at more primitive campsites beyond the trailhead.
Choosing a UTV or ATV for Your Family
A side-by-side (SxS)—often called a UTV—makes a fantastic off-road vehicle for family adventures. They offer multiple seats for 2+ riders, a wide base for stability and a roll bar or cage for added protection. They also offer plenty of cargo space to haul coolers, picnic supplies and camping gear. There are plenty of options to choose from including our RZR and GENERAL lineups, plus our all-new Polaris XPEDITION lineup boasting the longest range of any vehicle we've made. Of course, if you prefer a single seat experience, Sportsman ATVs are the way to go. They are nimble and can navigate in tighter spaces to get to those hard to reach spots. Although you'll need a few of them to take a family.
Choosing a UTV or ATV for Your Family
A side-by-side (SxS)—often called a UTV—makes a fantastic off-road vehicle for family adventures. They offer multiple seats for 2+ riders, a wide base for stability and a roll bar or cage for added protection. They also offer plenty of cargo space to haul coolers, picnic supplies and camping gear. There are plenty of options to choose from including our RZR and GENERAL lineups, plus our all-new Polaris XPEDITION lineup boasting the longest range of any vehicle we've made. Of course, if you prefer a single seat experience, Sportsman ATVs are the way to go. They are nimble and can navigate in tighter spaces to get to those hard to reach spots. Although you'll need a few of them to take a family.
Pick a Campground With UTV or ATV Rentals
If you’re not a current SxS or ATV owner, it’s quite easy to rent one for your next family camping trip. Many resorts that offer off-roading activities also provide on-site rentals—an affordable option that allows you to ride without having to transport an off-road vehicle long distance. You can also check out Polaris Adventures, which gives you easy access to over 200+ Adventure Outfitters across the country.
Pick a Campground With UTV or ATV Rentals
If you’re not a current SxS or ATV owner, it’s quite easy to rent one for your next family camping trip. Many resorts that offer off-roading activities also provide on-site rentals—an affordable option that allows you to ride without having to transport an off-road vehicle long distance. You can also check out Polaris Adventures, which gives you easy access to over 200+ Adventure Outfitters across the country.
Things To Do at an Off-Road Friendly Campground
Exploring the trails, whether they’re actually on the campground property or simply nearby, is a great centerpiece to your off-road family camping trip—but it’s not the only thing to do. Depending on your specific destination, you’ll likely have other activities to enjoy such as hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, mountain biking and more. Some larger campgrounds or resorts often include swimming pools, arcades, sports facilities and other amenities.
Things To Do at an Off-Road Friendly Campground
Exploring the trails, whether they’re actually on the campground property or simply nearby, is a great centerpiece to your off-road family camping trip—but it’s not the only thing to do. Depending on your specific destination, you’ll likely have other activities to enjoy such as hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, mountain biking and more. Some larger campgrounds or resorts often include swimming pools, arcades, sports facilities and other amenities.
Consider Camping Essentials You Need for Your UTV/ATV Vacation
There are many joys to more primitive camping, whether at an off-roading resort that offers bare-bones sites or a remote and lightly developed campground on public land. But if you want more amenities readily at hand during your camping trip, there’s nothing wrong with that. A laundromat can certainly be a welcomed resource on a four-wheeling vacation, given the beating everybody’s clothes are likely to take out on the trails. A resort or campground with a general store of some kind also helps when it comes to keeping all those hungry riders well fed, not to mention for grabbing firewood, first aid supplies and all the other essentials you forgot back at home. Having a gas station nearby to fill up your machine is a must as well.
Consider Camping Essentials You Need for Your UTV/ATV Vacation
There are many joys to more primitive camping, whether at an off-roading resort that offers bare-bones sites or a remote and lightly developed campground on public land. But if you want more amenities readily at hand during your camping trip, there’s nothing wrong with that. A laundromat can certainly be a welcomed resource on a four-wheeling vacation, given the beating everybody’s clothes are likely to take out on the trails. A resort or campground with a general store of some kind also helps when it comes to keeping all those hungry riders well fed, not to mention for grabbing firewood, first aid supplies and all the other essentials you forgot back at home. Having a gas station nearby to fill up your machine is a must as well.
