ATV Riding in Palm Springs: Mojave Desert Off-Road

You operate the vehicle through dirt, sand and rock terrain that most desert visitors never reach.

ATV riding in the Mojave Desert near Palm Springs puts you behind the wheel of a Can-Am UTV for a 2.5-hour experience that includes a 1-hour safety orientation, helmet with built-in intercom, gloves, and roughly 1.5 hours of trail time over 19 miles of twists, turns, inclines and off-camber terrain. A live guide leads the ride and communicates through your helmet to call out upcoming obstacles and terrain changes. You choose your vehicle size based on how many riders are in your group.

The experience

The Mojave Desert terrain around Palm Springs demands active control: you maneuver through dirt, sand and rock, handling dips and off-camber sections that require real steering input, not just passenger attention. The ride starts with a 1-hour safety orientation where helmets and gloves are fitted and intercoms are synced so you hear the guide's cues in real time. Once you're on the trail, the guide leads from ahead, calling out hidden dips and terrain variations so you know what's coming.

Can-Am vehicles come in three sizes: the Commander 700 XT seats one or two riders; the X3 DS Turbo seats one or two; the X3 MAX DS Turbo fits three or four. Pick the one that matches your group. The company, based in Helendale and established in 2018, carries 1,200+ five-star reviews across Google, review sites, Facebook and Yelp. Guides provide expertise if anything goes wrong (tire punctures, belt issues), so mechanical problems don't strand you on the trail.

Bottled water, helmets with sunglasses, and gloves are included. A damage deposit of $2,500 to $3,500 is pre-authorized at checkout and returned after the ride if there are no accidents. The experience is suitable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers. Passengers must be at least 4 years old and meet a 42-inch height requirement.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• helmet with built-in sunglasses and real-time intercom.
• off-roading gloves.
• Can-Am UTV (Commander 700 XT, X3 DS Turbo, or X3 MAX DS Turbo depending on group size).
• 1-hour safety orientation and vehicle prep.
• live guide leading the 19-mile trail.

Options for this experience

3 options

Commander 700 XT (for 1 to 2 riders)Up to 2 per booking · Guide in English · 13 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 20:00Can-Am Commander 700 XT with a $2,500 damage deposit

X3 DS Turbo (for 1 to 2 riders)Up to 2 per booking · Guide in English · 13 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 20:00Can-Am X3 DS Turbo with a $3,000 damage deposit

X3 MAX DS Turbo (for 3 to 4 riders)Up to 4 per booking · Guide in English · 13 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 20:00Can-Am X3 MAX DS Turbo with a $3,500 damage deposit

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

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

Book up to3h before

GroupPrivate

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 2 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?Choose your vehicle size at checkout based on your group: the Commander or X3 DS Turbo for one or two riders, or the X3 MAX DS Turbo if you're bringing three or four people and want everyone in a single vehicle.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

19 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can I ride if I've never driven an ATV before?

Yes. The 1-hour safety orientation covers everything you need, and the live guide communicates through your helmet during the ride to call out terrain changes and guide you through difficult sections. The Mojave terrain includes all levels of difficulty, so the guide can adjust the pace to your comfort.

What's the difference between the three vehicle options?

The Commander 700 XT and X3 DS Turbo each seat one or two riders. The X3 MAX DS Turbo seats three or four. Choose based on your group size. All three are Can-Am models, and the guide will help you pick the right fit when you arrive.

How much of the 2.5 hours is actually spent riding on the trail?

About 1.5 hours. The other hour is the safety orientation, helmet fitting, and intercom setup before you leave. The 19-mile route covers the trail time, not the total experience time.

What happens if something breaks during the ride?

The guide carries expertise in mechanical issues like tire punctures and belt problems and can handle them on the trail, so you're not left stranded. A damage deposit of $2,500 to $3,500 is pre-authorized at checkout and returned after the ride if there are no accidents.

Is this activity safe for kids?

Passengers must be at least 4 years old and meet a 42-inch height requirement. Kids can ride as passengers in the vehicles, though the activity is not recommended for pregnant travelers or anyone with spinal injuries.