Top 5 Best Off-Road Vehicles to Drive and Why You’ll Love Them
Quick answer: The five best off-road vehicles for beginners are the ATV (quad), the UTV or side-by-side, the Polaris RZR, the 4×4 Jeep Wrangler, and the dirt bike. Each suits a different terrain and rider. On our guided Las Vegas tours you drive an ATV, RZR, or UTV, no experience needed.
If you’re a newcomer to the exciting outdoor sport of off-roading, you’ve come to the right place. We are Awesome Adventures and provide off-road desert adventures in Eldorado Canyon, about 45 minutes from Las Vegas, Nevada. Below we cover the top five off-road vehicles to drive and why, plus the trail types you will meet along the way.
Off-Road Trails and Terrain Across the U.S.
Before you try off-roading alone, consider your location. Different parts of the U.S. have different climates and terrain. Lush green areas may have muddy trails from frequent rain, while deserts bring dusty, rocky roads. Here are the main trail types you will find.
Light trails
Any unpaved road accessible to the public can be used for off-roading, from park roads to fire roads. These light trails are perfect for beginners practicing in an AWD (all-wheel drive) vehicle.
Mudding
Driving an AWD on muddy roads and crossing streams is more of a challenge for a newbie. At an off-road park, trails are color-coded by difficulty, which is a great way to test your skills. A 4WD (four-wheel drive) is recommended for the more demanding muddy trails.
Rock crawling
For the more advanced driver, rock crawling over dry streambeds is a specialized form of off-roading. It requires a vehicle that can handle unstable ups and downs and sideways tilting.
Sand and desert racing
Beaches and dunes offer sand driving, which can be trickier than mud if you get stuck, so vehicles with winches help. Desert racing is hugely popular thanks to the vast open terrain. There is even an annual race, the Baja 1000, reserved for the most advanced drivers.
That is where we come in for beginners. Our family-owned business puts you on Nevada’s stunning but not-so-dangerous desert trails, riding an ATV or UTV through Eldorado Canyon, where the history dates back to 1861. Choose from six Awesome Adventures tours, either half or full day.
The Top 5 Off-Road Vehicles to Drive
Now that you know where you can go off-roading, here are the top five vehicles suitable for beginners, at a glance and then in detail.
| Vehicle | Type | Seats | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATV (quad) | Straddle, handlebars | 1 to 2 | The classic, beginner-friendly off-roader |
| UTV (side-by-side) | Side-by-side, wheel | 2 to 6 | Groups, families, and hauling |
| RZR (Polaris) | Sport side-by-side | 2 to 4 | Fast, agile desert and dune riding |
| Jeep Wrangler 4×4 | Enclosed 4×4 | 4 to 5 | All-condition trails, street legal |
| Dirt bike | Two-wheel motorcycle | 1 | Solo riders, tight technical trails |
1. All-terrain vehicle (ATV)
ATVs, also known as quads or quad bikes, have four wheels on a motorcycle-like chassis. The handlebars make them easy to navigate and the four wheels lend stability. They hold one rider plus one passenger behind the driver. The ATV was the first off-road vehicle made and is now the standard for the sport. Want the full comparison? See our ATV vs Quad vs RZR guide.
2. Utility task vehicle (UTV or side-by-side)
UTVs, also called SxS or side-by-sides, seat people next to each other rather than one behind the other. Built for farms and ranches, they are sturdy and can hold up to six people depending on size. A popular choice is the Can-Am side-by-side. On tour, these are the same style of open desert machine as our Las Vegas dune buggies.
3. Razor (RZR)
RZR is a sport side-by-side brand made by Polaris. We use the 2-seater RZRs at Awesome Adventures for our scenic tours, and guests love them. The RZR is very agile, handles gravel, goes fast, and is well-equipped for sand dune riding. Learn more about what a RZR is and how it drives.
Experience the only Las Vegas ATV, RZR, and Ranger tour. Book it now.
4. 4×4 Jeep Wrangler
The first enclosed off-road auto was designed for the military as a general-purpose vehicle, which is where the name Jeep comes from. It was later commercialized into the best-known consumer off-road brand. Modern Jeeps can be driven on regular roads and still tackle off-road trails.
5. Dirt bikes
Dirt bikes, also called trail bikes, are two-wheel motorcycles designed for a single rider. You may have seen a motocross race, but starting out you will not be going fast. They are built with beginner-friendly features like easy shifting and lights, and they are street legal, so you can go from trail to highway.
Get Outdoors and Enjoy Off-Roading with Awesome Adventures
Experience what it’s like to ride an ATV the next time you’re in Vegas. We’ll pick you up at your hotel and give you a guided desert tour like no other. Choose a half or full-day adventure with lunch and narrated sightseeing, and photos are included.
An ATV Las Vegas adventure awaits you. Bring the whole family or make it a custom group outing for company get-togethers. Every tour has a dedicated, experienced guide who teaches you how to ride safely, with protective equipment included. You may be a beginner now, but after one off-road adventure you may want to come back for all the tours we offer.
Sources: About the ATV Standard; Baja 1000; Can-Am Off-Road Side-By-Side Lineup; Exploring Eldorado Canyon; Polaris Off-Road RZR.
Updated August 2026.
