Camping + ATV/UTV Rental Guide — How to Plan Your Ride-and-Camp Weekend
Most people don't own an ATV or UTV. But almost everyone who's ever been on one wants to get back out there. The problem is you need a trail, a campsite, and a vehicle — and most people only have access to two of the three.
ThrottleShare solves the third piece. Local owners near popular trail systems rent their ATVs and UTVs peer-to-peer. You book the campsite. We connect you with someone who has the machine.
Step 1 — Pick your trail system
Start with trails, not campsites. The campsite follows the trails. Here are the best ATV/UTV trail systems in the US for camp-and-ride trips:
- Hatfield-McCoy Trails, WV — 600+ miles, multiple trailhead campgrounds. The East Coast's answer to Moab. Excellent for side-by-sides and ATVs.
- Ocotillo Wells SVRA, CA — Southern California's premier ORV park. Dry, sandy, and open year-round. Primitive camping on-site.
- Silver Lake Sand Dunes, MI — Midwest's biggest ORV dune system. Great for family groups with kids. Campgrounds within 5 minutes of the riding area.
- Croom Motorcycle Area, FL — Withlacoochee State Forest, Brooksville FL. Mix of ATV and dirt bike trails. Primitive sites right at the trailhead.
- Paiute ATV Trail, UT — 900 miles of interconnected ATV trails in central Utah. Richfield, Beaver, and Marysvale all have campgrounds on or near the system.
- Uwharrie National Forest, NC — A Carolinas favorite. Mix of forest roads and technical trails. Good for UTVs. Several established campgrounds.
Step 2 — Book the campsite early
Good campsites near popular trail systems book 2-4 months ahead for peak weekends (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day). Use Recreation.gov for federal land sites. Reserve America for state parks. Private campgrounds near riding areas often have more availability.
Step 3 — Find your rental on ThrottleShare
Search ThrottleShare by the state where you're camping. Filter by ATV, UTV, or dirt bike. Message the owner early — popular weekends book fast, and peer-to-peer owners often only have one vehicle available.
Questions to ask your owner:
- Will you deliver to the campground, or do I pick up from your location?
- What type of terrain is the vehicle best suited for?
- Is there a mileage or hour limit on the rental?
- What's the fuel situation — return it full, or is there a fuel charge?
What a UTV vs. ATV rental is right for your group
Choose based on group size and terrain:
- Solo or couple: Single ATV or 2-seat UTV. Cheaper daily rate. More nimble on technical trails.
- Family of 4: 4-seat UTV. Everyone in one vehicle. Better for moderate trails.
- Group of 6-8: Two 2-seat UTVs or one 6-seat side-by-side. More expensive but the group stays together.
- Sand dunes: High-clearance UTV or a dedicated dune buggy. Standard ATVs handle sand but struggle in deep dunes.
- Technical rocky terrain (Moab-style): High-clearance Jeep or purpose-built rock crawler > a standard UTV.
What a weekend ride-and-camp trip actually costs
- Campsite (2 nights): $40-$120 (federal/state) or $80-$200 (private)
- ATV rental (2 days): $250-$450/day = $500-$900 for the weekend
- UTV / side-by-side (2 days): $300-$500/day = $600-$1,000 for the weekend
- Fuel for vehicle: Usually factored into rental pricing or paid at return
- Total weekend for 4 people sharing a UTV: $700-$1,200 all-in, split 4 ways = $175-$300/person
That's competitive with any guided tour or resort activity — and you control the schedule.
Plan your next ride-and-camp trip
Search for ATV, UTV, and dirt bike rentals near your trail system on ThrottleShare.
Browse Rentals Near You →Own an ATV or UTV near a trail system?
Riders who show up at Hatfield-McCoy, Silver Lake, Croom, or Hatfield-McCoy without their own vehicle are looking for rentals. If you live within 30 miles of a major trail system or ORV park, your ATV or UTV has significant rental potential — especially on holiday weekends when demand spikes.
List your ATV or UTV free on ThrottleShare →
Find ATV & UTV Rentals Near Top Trail Systems