Estes Park ATV Riding: Polaris Northstar UTV Remote Trails

You operate the UTV yourself through terrain most visitors never reach

ATV riding in Estes Park on a full-day excursion where you drive a six-passenger Polaris Northstar UTV on your choice of remote mountain trails (Rollins Pass or Switzerland Trail) with GPS navigation, maps and fuel provided. The trails climb to high mountain lakes, old mine shafts and glaciers, with a live English-speaking guide leading the route and handling safety briefing and trail logistics.

The experience

Arrive 30 minutes before departure at your location in Estes Park. Backbone Adventures hauls the UTV to the trailhead on a trailer towed by their vehicle, so you show up ready to ride. At check-in, the guide walks through trail options, maps and GPS navigation, then covers safety and how to operate the Polaris Northstar: a six-passenger UTV equipped with GPS trail navigation, Bluetooth stereo, heat and AC, power windows and a smooth suspension that handles rough terrain without the jarring. You'll need to return on time to the shop at the end of the day.

Rollins Pass, the favorite route, takes you to high mountain lakes where you can bring fly fishing poles, old mine shafts carved into the mountainside, and snowy glaciers even in summer. The terrain is remote enough that the mountain range feels like it belongs to your group alone. Switzerland Trail offers similar high-altitude scenery. Both routes rely on the UTV's GPS to navigate, so you're not guessing at turns or dead ends: the system guides you through the backcountry.

The ride lasts seven hours total, including the haul to the trailhead and the safety briefing. Fuel is included, and the guide provides all maps and trail navigation. Helmets are supplied. The Polaris Northstar seats six passengers, so families or small groups travel together in one vehicle rather than splitting across multiple machines.

What’s included

• Polaris Northstar UTV for six passengers.
• tow vehicle and trailer to the trailhead.
• GPS trail navigation and maps.
• fuel.
• helmets.
• and a live English-speaking guide for safety briefing and route leadership.

Information

Lasts 7h, from US$ 799 per group, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 21 Jun 2027

Live guideEnglish

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

Book up to1h before

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

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Backbone Adventures

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and leads the route, so you focus on driving the UTV rather than navigating backcountry roads. Book this if you want to operate the vehicle yourself and reach terrain that requires four-wheel drive, not a sightseeing tour where someone else drives.

Top questions

What is Rollins Pass like as an ATV route?

Rollins Pass climbs to high mountain lakes, old mine shafts and glaciers, even in summer. The terrain is remote and the GPS navigation built into the UTV guides you through the backcountry without cell service or marked roads.

Do I need ATV experience to book this ride?

No. The guide covers safety and operation during check-in before you leave the shop. The activity suits all physical fitness levels, and the UTV's power steering and smooth suspension handle the terrain.

Can I bring fishing gear if I want to fish at the mountain lakes?

Yes. Rollins Pass reaches high mountain lakes, and you're welcome to bring fly fishing poles. The guide can advise on timing and access during the route briefing.

What happens if I arrive late or need to leave early?

You need to return on time to the shop at the end of the day. Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time at your Estes Park location so the guide can complete the safety briefing and haul the UTV to the trailhead.

Is the Polaris Northstar difficult to drive on steep mountain terrain?

The Polaris Northstar is built for rough terrain with power steering, heat and AC, and a smooth suspension that absorbs bumps. The GPS navigation system guides you through the route, so you focus on driving rather than finding the way.