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Why Vernal for UTV Riding
The Uintah Basin is one of the most underrated off-road destinations in the American West. While Moab draws the crowds, Vernal offers the same caliber of desert terrain — red rock canyons, sandstone arches, sweeping ridge views — with a fraction of the traffic. Add in petroglyphs, ancient ruins, and Butch Cassidy history, and the backcountry around Vernal delivers an experience that goes well beyond the ride itself.
Adventure Tours Vernal operates six Kawasaki KRX 1000 machines with FOX 2.5 PODIUM LSC shocks, guided by owners Dave and Trudy Wilson. Every tour is 3 hours, departing from 1935 S 1500 E, Vernal, Utah. You choose your trail when you book.
Before breaking down each trail, it helps to see the whole system at once. All five depart from the same staging point in Vernal and fan out into different country — here is how they relate.
1. Doc’s Beach
Doc’s Beach is the trail most visitors ride first — and many come back to ride again. The route follows sandy desert washes through open terrain toward one of Vernal’s most beloved riverside destinations along the Green River corridor. The landscape is classic Uintah Basin: wide desert vistas, sandstone outcrops, and distant mountain views.
This is the most accessible trail in the Adventure Tours Vernal lineup. The terrain is forgiving, the pace is comfortable, and the scenery is consistently impressive. It is the best choice for first-time UTV riders, families with young children, and anyone who wants a beautiful ride without technical challenge. That said, the open terrain also gives experienced riders room to enjoy the KRX 1000’s suspension at speed on straightaways.
2. Moonshine Arch
Moonshine Arch is the trail for people who came to see Utah’s red rock up close. The route winds through rugged canyon corridors carved into deep-red sandstone, eventually arriving at a stunning natural arch hidden deep in the backcountry. This is the kind of formation that rivals what you would find in Arches National Park — except you arrive by KRX instead of by shuttle bus, and you share it with your group instead of a hundred strangers.
The terrain is more varied than Doc’s Beach — narrower trail sections, some rock features, and canyon walls that tower overhead. It is still suitable for all skill levels, but the driving is more engaging. This trail tends to be the top pick for couples and small groups looking for a scenic, photogenic ride.
3. Ashley Gorge
Ashley Gorge is the most visually dramatic canyon ride in the lineup. The trail descends into a deep gorge where towering sandstone walls frame a winding river valley below. The scale of the canyon is striking — you feel the walls closing in overhead before the trail opens up to reveal panoramic views of the gorge floor.
The drive into and out of the gorge involves some elevation change and tighter trail sections. It is not technical, but it rewards attentive driving. Ashley Gorge is the trail Dave and Trudy recommend for riders who want landscape-level scenery and a sense of genuine backcountry remoteness.
4. Outlaw Trail
The Outlaw Trail is the ride with the best story. This backcountry route traces paths used by Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch as they moved through eastern Utah’s canyon country — hiding from law enforcement, stashing loot, and using the rugged terrain as a natural escape corridor between jobs in Telluride and points east.
The trail cuts through canyon country and wide-open high desert plateaus. The terrain is mixed — some sandy sections, some rocky ridgelines, and stretches where the trail narrows between canyon walls. Dave’s narration of the outlaw history adds a layer that makes this trail feel fundamentally different from a scenic ride. You encounter petroglyphs and ruins on this route as well — the same canyons that hid outlaws preserved thousands of years of older history.
5. Asphalt Ridge
Asphalt Ridge is the altitude play. The trail climbs to the top of the ridge for sweeping 360-degree views of Dinosaur Country, the Uintah Mountains to the north, and the vast high desert basin stretching south and east. On clear days, the views extend for miles in every direction — this is the trail that makes you understand the scale of the landscape you have been riding through at ground level.
The ridge-top position means more wind exposure, which keeps summer temperatures comfortable and adds a sense of openness that the canyon trails do not have. The climb involves some elevation gain, but the KRX 1000 handles the grade with ease. This is the trail photographers request most often — the panoramic light at golden hour is exceptional.
What Every Tour Includes
All five trails are offered as 3-hour guided tours at $349 per Kawasaki KRX 1000 machine (up to 2 riders). A $125 ride-along option lets a third person ride as a passenger with Dave or Trudy. There is a 3-person minimum per tour and capacity for up to 12 guests across 6 machines.
Every tour includes a full safety briefing, helmets, and all required safety gear. The KRX 1000 machines feature full roll cages, FOX 2.5 PODIUM LSC shocks, and power steering. No prior UTV experience is required. For what to wear and pack, see What to Wear on a UTV Tour and What to Bring. For seasonal timing, check the Vernal Weather Guide.