Private Jeep Tour Vail: You Drive the Backcountry

Take the wheel on trails no other Jeep tour company can show you.

A private you-drive Jeep tour in Vail, Colorado, where you pilot your own custom-built vehicle on backcountry trails while a guide navigates and teaches. The tour runs five hours with multiple stops for views, a picnic lunch halfway through, and instruction in off-road driving skills and mountain history. You drive; the guide handles route decisions and safety.

The Experience

You arrive at the meeting point, hand over your regular car keys, and walk to your own Jeep. After a quick safety briefing and orientation to the vehicle, you're behind the wheel—whether you've driven off-road before or never have. The guide sits beside you, calling out lines through the terrain, pointing out what's coming, and making sure you feel ready before anything technical. This is the only permitted you-drive Jeep tour operation in Eagle County, which means the trails themselves are ones other companies cannot access.

The day splits between driving and stopping. You'll tackle the McAllister Gulch and Camp Hale Loop, a route that mixes technical sections with smooth scenic stretches, so the challenge stays manageable and the views stay constant. Multiple times you'll pull over to stretch, take photos, or just stand and look at the panorama—the kind of stops a guide who knows the land picks, not a schedule. Halfway through, you'll park in a serene spot and eat a picnic lunch. Along the way, the guide shares the history of the area and the backcountry habits that keep you safe and the land intact.

Families and groups of all ages ride together, and everyone participates however they want—some drive the whole time, some trade off, some ride and spot wildlife or just take in the day. By the end of five hours, you've covered terrain most visitors to Vail never see, learned how to handle a Jeep on uneven ground, and had the kind of afternoon that sticks.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• government fees.
• rugged radios for clear communication with your guide.
• a full safety briefing and Jeep orientation before you drive.
• instruction in off-road driving skills and backcountry habits.
• a picnic-style lunch at a scenic stop.
• hotel pickup included.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Jeep Tours Colorado by Native Jeeps

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to drive yourself rather than ride along—you'll handle the wheel on backcountry trails while learning terrain skills, and the guide navigates the route so you focus on the driving experience.

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Top questions

Do I need off-road driving experience to take this tour?

No. The guide will walk you through the Jeep's controls and the terrain before you start, and the route mixes technical and smooth sections so you build confidence as you go. First-timers and experienced drivers both run this tour regularly.

What's included in the five-hour tour?

The custom Jeep, the guide, bottled water, government fees, and rugged radios so you can hear the guide clearly. Lunch is a picnic-style break at a scenic spot partway through the day.

Can families with kids do this tour?

Yes. The full-day tour is designed for groups of all ages, and everyone participates at their own level—whether driving, riding, or spotting wildlife. The mix of technical and smooth driving keeps the pace manageable for families.

What are the McAllister Gulch and Camp Hale trails like?

McAllister Gulch and Camp Hale Loop offer a mix of technical challenges and smooth scenic drives on backcountry terrain outside Vail. The route includes multiple stops for views and photo opportunities, and the guide chooses the pacing based on your comfort.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Yes. Pickup is included in the tour price. Let the operator know where you're staying, and the guide will arrange the meeting point and timing with you.

What should I bring or wear?

Wear layers and closed-toe shoes with good grip. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a camera if you want photos. The guide will confirm any other gear when you book.