Riding the Sand Dunes with Kids

Kids love the dunes. The red sand, the climbs, the view from Top of the World, and a sandboard run at the end of the day make Sand Mountain one of the best family rides in Utah. A little planning keeps it fun for everyone, from the youngest passenger to the grown-up at the wheel.

Utah’s rules for young riders

Utah doesn’t set a minimum age, a helmet law or a car seat law for passengers in side-by-sides. The state does strongly advise that every passenger wear a helmet, keep arms and legs inside the roll cage and use the seat belt, and it recommends following the machine maker’s passenger guidelines. We follow the same advice on every ride.

Kids don’t drive our rentals; only adults 18 and older with a license do. If your family brings its own youth machine, Utah has separate rules for young drivers, including a youth OHV safety course and an adult supervising from close by.

Is your child ready to ride along?

• Seat check. Most side-by-side makers say a passenger should sit with their back against the seat, feet flat on the floor and both hands on the grab handle. If your child can’t do that yet, wait a year.
• Helmet fit. The helmet should sit snug and level, with the strap fastened. We’ll help you pick the right size.
• Belts and nets on. Buckle up before the machine moves, and keep doors and nets closed.
• A quick talk first. Hands and feet stay inside, hold the handle, and tell the driver right away if anything feels scary.

Sunset is the favorite time for families on the dunes.

Pick the right machine

For a family, a 4-seat machine lets the kids ride along in the back, and a 6-seat Can-Am Defender fits the whole crew in one machine. Bigger groups can split between two machines so every driver has company. See every model on our ATV and UTV rentals page.

A kid-friendly day on Sand Mountain

• Start at the Water Tanks. The free Waddy’s Corral trailhead has room to get settled and a restroom. You can drive our machines there right from our location.
• Ride Sand Dune Way to Top of the World. It’s easy, sandy and ends at the big view everyone wants a picture of.
• Stop at Flintstone House. Kids love the rock that looks like a stone-age house. It’s a great lunch and photo stop.
• Bring sandboards or sand sleds. Find a smooth dune away from traffic and let the kids slide. Sandboards and sleds are a family favorite.
• Keep it short. Two to four hours on the sand is plenty for young kids, with breaks every half hour or so.

All of these are on the Sand Hollow trail map.

What to pack

• Water and snacks. More water than you think, even on cool days.
• Sun and dust protection. Sunscreen, long sleeves and a bandana or neck gaiter for the dust.
• Closed-toe shoes. Sand gets hot and rocks are sharp.
• A light jacket. Spring, fall and winter evenings cool off fast after sunset.

Drive for your passengers

• No jumping, donuts, fishtailing or power sliding. Those are our rules for every ride, and they matter most with kids aboard.
• The faster you go, the less you turn the wheel. Sharp turns at speed in the sand are how machines tip.
• Slow down at every crest. You can’t see what’s on the other side. Read our dune riding guide before you go.
• Flag up. A red or orange whip flag at least 8 feet high is required on the dunes, and our rentals already have one mounted. See the whip flag rules.

Let a guide lead the way

A guide takes the guesswork out of the day so you can watch the kids instead of the map. Add a guide to any rental for as long as you like when you book, or see our guided tours.