A First-Timer’s Guide to Driving a RZR in the Desert
Quick answer: Driving a RZR for the first time is easier than it looks. It is just like driving a car. It steers with a wheel and drives with gas and brake pedals like a car, seats you inside a roll cage and seat belts. On a guided tour you get full hands-on instruction before you head out. Most first-timers feel confident within the first few minutes. Book your first RZR tour.
If you have never driven a RZR, the idea can feel a little intimidating. Do not worry. Thousands of complete beginners drive one for the first time every year and come back grinning. Here is exactly what the experience is like, start to finish, so you know what to expect and can relax into the fun.
First, what is a RZR?
A RZR is a sport side-by-side off-road vehicle made by Polaris. You sit next to your passenger inside a protective roll cage, wear a seat belt or harness, steer with a wheel, and drive with a gas pedal and a brake pedal. If you can drive a car, the fundamentals will feel familiar within minutes. It is not a motorcycle and you do not need to shift gears or balance.
What happens before you drive
Every tour begins with a safety briefing and hands-on instruction. Your guide walks you through the controls, how the seat belts work, how to take corners, how to keep a safe distance, and how to read the trail ahead. You will never be handed the keys and sent off cold. By the time you roll out, the essentials feel automatic.
What the drive actually feels like
Expect a low, planted, surprisingly smooth ride. The RZR wide stance and long-travel suspension soak up bumps that would rattle a normal vehicle, so rough ground feels more like a gentle roll than a jolt. You follow your guide along Eldorado Canyon trails, past Nelson Ghost Town and the Techatticup Gold Mine, with stops for a water break, take photos and switch drivers. The pace is set for the group, so it is thrilling without ever feeling out of control.
Five tips for your first ride
- Look where you want to go, not at the obstacle. Your hands follow your eyes.
- Keep a smooth, steady throttle rather than stabbing the gas.
- Let the suspension do the work over bumps, stay relaxed, do not fight it.
- Stay in the tracks and spacing your guide sets.
- Breathe and enjoy it. The machine is built for exactly this terrain.
Can passengers switch drivers?
Yes, if both people are 21 or older with a valid license, you can swap driver and passenger at stops, so everyone gets a turn behind the wheel. Passengers ages 6 and up (minimum 42 lbs) can come along with an adult. See our tour policies for age and weight minimums.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to drive a RZR?
No. Full instruction is included and tours are designed for first-timers.
Is driving a RZR like driving a car?
The basics are similar: a wheel, a gas pedal, and a brake pedal. It is easier than a motorcycle since there is no balancing or shifting.
Who can drive on a tour?
Drivers must be 21 with a valid license and a credit card. Passengers can be 6 and up (minimum 42 lbs) with an adult. See our tour policies for age and weight minimums.
Published August 2026.
