ATV Riding in Palm Springs: 28-Mile Mojave Desert Trail

Steer through sand, rock and dirt while your guide navigates the terrain ahead

ATV riding in Palm Springs puts you behind the wheel of a 2022 Can-Am X3 DS Turbo for a 28-mile Mojave Desert trail with two hours of actual riding time. You attend a one-hour safety orientation and gear fitting on arrival, then ride with a live guide who communicates through helmet intercoms and handles any mechanical issues. Helmets with built-in sunglasses, off-roading gloves, and bottled water are included. A $3,000 damage deposit is pre-authorized and returned if there are no accidents.

The experience

What separates this from watching someone else drive is that you're operating the vehicle the whole time. The 28-mile Jackrabbit Tour covers about two hours of actual trail time, and you'll navigate twists, turns, inclines, dips and off-camber terrain across dirt, sand and rock. The guide leads from ahead and stays in radio contact through your helmet intercom, calling out upcoming obstacles and terrain changes so you know what's coming. If a tire punctures or a belt breaks, the guide handles it. You're there to drive.

The one-hour safety orientation happens right after you arrive. You'll get fitted for a helmet with built-in sunglasses and an intercom system, pull on off-roading gloves, and learn how to handle the vehicle before you leave the staging area. The Can-Am X3 DS Turbo seats one or two riders, so if you're bringing a passenger, they ride along. Water is provided to drink during the ride.

The operator has run this since 2018 and holds over 1,200 five-star reviews. Guides are English-speaking and trained to manage the terrain and any mechanical issues that come up. The activity suits all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for people with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers. Passengers must be at least 4 feet 2 inches tall.

What’s included

• Helmet with built-in sunglasses and real-time intercom.
• off-roading gloves.
• bottled water.
• 2022 Can-Am X3 DS Turbo vehicle for one or two riders.
• one-hour safety orientation and gear fitting.
• live English-speaking guide leading the trail and handling mechanical issues.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 20:00

Book up to3h before

GroupUp to 2

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Wild Desert Tours

Is this one for you?This ride starts from the operator's base in Helendale, California, near Palm Springs, so you don't need your own vehicle or a separate transfer. You arrive and step into the UTV. The guide leads the whole route and handles any mechanical problems, so you focus on driving the terrain instead of navigating or troubleshooting.

Traveler reviews

4.91★★★★★★★★★★

55 verified traveler reviews

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Top questions

How much actual riding time is there on the 28-mile tour?

The Jackrabbit Tour covers 28 miles total with about two hours of actual trail riding time, not counting the one-hour safety orientation and gear fitting at the start.

What happens if something breaks on the UTV during the ride?

Your guide handles mechanical issues like tire punctures or broken belts. The guide leads from ahead and stays in constant radio contact through your helmet intercom, so you can alert them if something goes wrong.

Do I need off-roading experience to book this?

No. The one-hour safety orientation covers everything you need to know before you start, and the activity suits all fitness levels. The guide provides instruction through the intercom for upcoming turns and terrain changes.

What's included in the price?

Helmet with built-in sunglasses and intercom; off-roading gloves; bottled water; and the Can-Am UTV itself. A $3,000 damage deposit is pre-authorized at booking and returned after the tour if there are no accidents.

Can a child ride as a passenger?

Yes, passengers must be at least 4 feet 2 inches tall. A child who meets the height requirement can ride along in the UTV while you drive.