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The Family Guide to Jackson Hole ATV and Side-by-Side Adventures
Most families come to Jackson Hole for the overlooks and the moose photos. Nothing wrong with that. But there's a version of this valley that most visitors never see: the ridgelines where you park your machine, crack open a picnic cooler, and realize you've got the Tetons entirely to yourselves.
An ATV or side-by-side gets you there. Not just to the views, though those are spectacular. To the stories your kids will still be telling when they're planning their own trips back here someday.
The Bridger-Teton National Forest sprawls across 3.4 million acres around Jackson Hole. Most visitors see a fraction of it from the highway. With four wheels under you, the whole thing opens up. The hidden overlooks. The alpine meadows where moose feed at dawn. The ridge trails with Teton views that rival anything in the national parks, minus the crowds.
This guide covers what actually matters before you book. Which trails require vehicles under 50 inches wide. Why that $15 permit is non-negotiable. Which outfitter to call if you want someone else handling navigation versus when to grab a rental and figure it out yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Most designated OHV trails require vehicles 50 inches wide or less, which excludes many larger 4-seat side-by-sides from the best single-track routes. Wider Forest Service roads stay open to all vehicles.
- Every machine needs a $15 Wyoming ORV permit valid January through December. Wyoming has no reciprocity with other states. Buy it online before your trip at wyotrails.onewyo.gov or at rental shops.
- Riders under 18 must wear DOT-approved helmets by state law. Passengers typically need to be at least 6 to 8 years old and tall enough to sit with feet firmly on the floor.
- Prime season runs June through October, but high-elevation trails often stay closed until July 1 to protect wildlife and fragile terrain.
- ATVs and side-by-sides are prohibited inside Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. All riding happens in surrounding Bridger-Teton National Forest, which is equally stunning and far less crowded.
- Budget roughly $230 to $400 for a half-day or full-day rental (2-seat or 4-seat side-by-side). Guided private tours start around $800.
Why This Works for Families
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There's hiking, and then there's covering 30 miles of backcountry in an afternoon while everyone stays comfortable enough to actually enjoy it.
Side-by-sides bridge the gap between adventure and accessibility. Grandparents can ride along without worrying about steep climbs. Kids get the thrill of rough terrain without the exhaustion. Parents don't spend the evening massaging sore feet.
The machines handle like small, rugged cars. Steering wheel, gas pedal, brake pedal, bucket seats with full roll cages. If you can drive to the grocery store, you can handle one of these. No motorcycle endorsement required for trail riding, though you do need a valid driver's license.
Wildlife encounters happen on your terms. You cover enough ground to actually find elk herds or catch a black bear ambling across a meadow at a safe distance. No tour bus schedule, no jockeying for position with 40 other people holding up phones.
Guided Tours vs. Going It Alone
First question: do you want someone else to plot the course, or are you the type who'd rather have a map and see where the day takes you?
Go Guided If
- This is your first time riding or your first time in Jackson Hole
- You want someone else handling permits, fuel, navigation, and safety briefings
- You'd appreciate local stories, wildlife spotting tips, and insider knowledge about what you're seeing
- Your group includes younger kids or mixed comfort levels with off-road vehicles
Most guided tours run 2.5 to 4 hours and include the machine, helmets, fuel, a guide who knows where the moose hang out, and often a trailside picnic with Teton views. You show up, ride, and let someone else handle the logistics.
Rent and Roam If
- You've got off-road experience and confidence with navigation
- You want to linger at overlooks, take spontaneous detours, or set your own pace
- You're comfortable reading a map or using a GPS app like Avenza (which the Forest Service recommends for these trails)
- You don't mind handling the permit, refueling the machine, and getting it back on time
The trade-off is freedom versus certainty. Guided trips stick to a schedule. DIY rentals let you spend an extra hour at a creek crossing if you feel like it, but you're responsible if you take a wrong turn or run low on gas.
Many rental companies now offer street-legal side-by-sides, meaning you can drive them directly from the shop to the trailhead without needing a trailer. This simplifies things considerably.
The Local Outfitters Worth Calling
Jackson Hole Adventure Rentals
Established in 2007 with two locations: one in Jackson and another in Alpine, about 45 minutes south. This flexibility matters if you're staying near Town Square or planning to explore the Greys River area.
They run both guided tours and self-guided rentals on traditional ATVs and multi-passenger side-by-sides. Their Teton Overlook ATV Tour is a solid family choice: you get a guide, all the gear, and a picnic lunch served on a ridge overlooking the mountains. It's the kind of setup where you focus on the views and someone else handles everything else.
Rental pricing starts around $230 for a half-day 2-seat side-by-side, $300 for a full day. Four-seat options run roughly $300 to $400 depending on duration. Their fleet includes current-model-year Can-Am machines.
Beyond ATVs, they also rent Jeeps, boats, and travel trailers if you're piecing together a longer Wyoming adventure.
Driver requirements: 21+ from Jackson location, 18+ from Alpine. Passengers 6+ and out of a car seat, or 8+ for ATVs.
Scenic Safaris
One of the valley's established guiding operations, running both summer and winter trips across the region. Their side-by-side tours focus on modern, high-end Polaris RZR machines that ride smooth and handle well.
Their Private Side-by-Side Tour on Shadow Mountain runs about 3.5 hours through 50-inch-wide technical single-track trails with jaw-dropping Teton views. The Curtis Canyon Private Tour (around 3 hours) offers a different angle on the valley with solid wildlife viewing opportunities.
Guided private tours start around $800 for a 2-seat machine plus guide. They also offer rentals, with pickup available at their Jackson headquarters or at Turpin Meadow Ranch, which drops you closer to some excellent trail networks.
Driver requirements: 21+ for most tours, 25+ if carrying passengers under 18.
Off-Grid Experiences
A smaller operation focused on personalized backcountry adventures with a "be the best, not the biggest" approach. They specialize in side-by-side rentals and guided tours through the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
They offer rentals out of Turpin Meadow Ranch near Moran, which puts you at the doorstep of great trail access. Their team provides maps and trail recommendations tailored to your experience level.
Driver requirements: 25+ for rentals. Passengers must be 8+ or able to place feet on the ground while seated (about 4 feet tall).
Dubois Honda ATV
If you're staying in Dubois or planning a day trip to the Wind River country (about 90 minutes from Jackson), this family-owned shop has been the local go-to since 2000.
They specialize in Honda ATVs and side-by-sides, which have a near-cult following among ranchers and hunters for their bulletproof reliability. They offer self-guided rentals of 2, 4, and 6-seat models. You get the freedom to explore hundreds of miles of nearby Shoshone National Forest trails on your own schedule.
Trails are right across the street from the shop, and their staff can point you toward anything from hot springs to canyon overlooks based on what you want to see.
The Trails You'll Actually Want to Ride
Shadow Mountain
What you get: The iconic Teton view without the national park crowds. This is the postcard shot, the one that makes everyone back home jealous.
Access: Head north from Jackson through Kelly, then take Antelope Flats Road to the base of Shadow Mountain where the trail network starts.
The ride: A mix of wider gravel Forest Service roads and about 11 miles of dedicated OHV trails restricted to vehicles 50 inches or less. You'll wind through aspen groves and open meadows, climbing roughly 1,700 feet to the summit. The Forest Service and Wyoming State Trails Program developed this system specifically for family riding: good signage, sustainable trail design, and those ridiculous Teton panoramas.
Season: OHV trails open June 1 through November 30. Some main roads open as early as May 1 depending on snowmelt. Always check current conditions with the Jackson Ranger District before heading out.
The Gros Ventre
What you get: True backcountry remoteness. This is where you go to feel small in a good way.
Access: Gros Ventre Road (pronounced "Gro-Vont") starts at Gros Ventre Junction just north of Jackson. You'll pass the Mormon Row barns and the massive Gros Ventre Slide geological site on the way in.
The ride: This area is massive, with roughly 70 miles of roads ranging from maintained gravel to rugged 4x4 tracks, plus over a hundred miles of motorized trails. The terrain shifts from river bottoms to high-alpine basins. It's shared-use, so expect hikers and horseback riders, especially on trails leading into the Gros Ventre Wilderness.
Season: Main roads open June 1 to November 30. Many higher-elevation trails stay closed until July 1 to protect wildlife and fragile alpine terrain.
Squaw Creek / Greys River
What you get: A completely different landscape south of Jackson near Alpine, popular with locals who want something other than the typical Teton scenery.
The ride: Squaw Creek Trail is the main designated ATV route here, about 5 miles of intermediate riding through pine forests and aspen groves with solid views. Access is about 4 miles up Greys River Road from Alpine. Beautiful mountain landscapes with wildflowers and sweeping views of peaks and valleys.
The catch: This trail is strictly limited to vehicles 50 inches or less in width. No exceptions.
Season: One of the shortest windows in the valley. Open July 1 through August 10 only. This is exactly why checking trail status before you go matters.
Mosquito Creek
What you get: A scenic ride through the woods south of Wilson with some specific rules worth understanding.
The ride: About 12 miles of designated Forest Service roads open to ATVs and side-by-sides. Stick to the numbered roads and you're good. The single-track trails that branch off are motorcycles only, not four-wheelers.
The dirt access roads can turn into a muddy mess after rain, so pick a dry day if possible.
Season: Roads open June 1 to November 30.
The Rules That Actually Matter
The Permit Situation
Every off-road vehicle needs a current Wyoming ORV permit to ride on any designated trail or enrolled road system in the state. This isn't optional.
- Cost: $15 per vehicle, valid for the calendar year (January 1 through December 31).
- Who needs it: Everyone. Residents and non-residents. Your home state's OHV sticker doesn't count here. Wyoming doesn't have reciprocity agreements with any other state.
- Where to get it: Easiest option is online before your trip at wyotrails.onewyo.gov. You can also buy permits in person at most rental outfitters and Forest Service offices.
- Where it goes: It's a sticker that must be visibly displayed on your vehicle. The recommended spot is the right front fender.
The 50-Inch Rule
This is the most important trail-specific restriction. Most designated OHV trails (as opposed to wider Forest Service roads) are limited to vehicles 50 inches wide or less. This is why many larger, 4-seat side-by-sides can only use the road networks, not the single-track trails.
Always confirm your vehicle's width and the trail's designation before heading out. Your rental outfitter can help with this.
Street Legal vs. Trail Only
If you want to ride on a public road or highway to reach a trailhead, your vehicle must be fully street legal with a license plate, lights, horn, mirror, and insurance. You also need a valid driver's license.
Many rental companies now offer street-legal machines, which eliminates the need for trailering and simplifies access considerably.
Stay on Designated Routes
Only travel on roads and trails explicitly marked as open on the official Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for that area. Going off-trail is illegal, damages fragile ecosystems, and can result in heavy fines. Rangers do patrol, and they're not handing out warnings.
Safety Gear and Age Requirements
Helmet law: Anyone under 18 must wear a DOT-approved helmet by state law. For adults, it's not legally required on trails but is highly recommended and standard practice. All rental outfitters provide helmets for everyone.
What to wear: Closed-toed shoes are mandatory. Long pants are smart to protect against scrapes and exhaust heat. Layer up because mountain weather shifts fast. A waterproof outer layer is always worth packing.
What to bring: Sunglasses, sunscreen, camera, water, snacks, and your driver's license.
Passenger age: Generally, kids must be at least 6 to 8 years old (varies by outfitter) and tall enough to sit with their back against the seat and feet flat on the floor or footrest.
Driver age: You must have a valid driver's license. Requirements vary by outfitter: typically 18+ to 25+ depending on location and whether you're carrying minor passengers.
Wildlife Protocols
Never chase, harass, or corner wildlife with your vehicle. It's illegal and dangerous.
Keep proper distance: at least 100 yards from bears and wolves (the length of a football field), and 25 yards from all other animals like moose, elk, and bison.
These aren't suggestions. Getting too close can provoke a defensive reaction that puts you and the animal at risk. It can also result in the animal being "managed" (relocated or killed) because it's become too habituated to humans. A photograph isn't worth that.
What to Pack
Your outfitter covers the big stuff (machine, helmets, maps), but you'll want:
- Closed-toe shoes or boots
- Lightweight gloves (helps with grip and keeps hands warm)
- Sunglasses or goggles
- Layers (mornings start cold, afternoons warm up fast)
- Plenty of water and snacks
- Small first-aid kit
- Bear spray if you're heading into remote areas
- Camera or phone for photos
Guided tours often include rain gear. If you're renting, ask what's provided and what you need to bring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between an ATV and a side-by-side?
An ATV is a single-rider vehicle you straddle like a motorcycle, with handlebar steering and a thumb throttle. A side-by-side (also called a UTV or SxS) is more like a small, rugged car with bucket seats, a steering wheel, pedals, and a full roll cage. For families, side-by-sides are far more popular and comfortable. They fit 2 to 6 passengers, they're easy to operate, and they're safer for mixed experience levels.
Do we need prior experience?
For guided tours, no. Guides work with beginners all the time and provide full instruction. For self-guided rentals, some prior off-road experience is highly recommended since you're responsible for navigation and safety.
Can we ride inside Grand Teton or Yellowstone National Parks?
No. Off-highway vehicles are prohibited inside both national parks. All the designated ATV and side-by-side trails are in the surrounding Bridger-Teton and Shoshone National Forests, which offer equally spectacular scenery without the park crowds.
What's the best time of year?
June through October is prime season. July and August have the warmest, most reliable weather. September is fantastic: cooler temps, fewer bugs, fewer crowds, and the aspens turn gold. Be aware that high-elevation trails often stay closed until July 1 to protect wildlife and terrain.
How much does it cost?
Rentals typically run $230 to $300 for a half-day 2-seat side-by-side, $300 to $400 for a full day. Four-seat models cost more. Guided private tours start around $800 and go up depending on duration and group size. Budget for the $15 ORV permit on top of rental costs.
What's a typical cancellation policy?
Most outfitters require at least 48 hours notice for a full refund. Some have 30-day policies with cancellation fees. Cancellations within the 48-hour window usually result in a 100% cancellation fee due to high demand. Check when you book.
Do I really need the $15 Wyoming ORV permit if my rental is street legal?
Yes, if you plan to ride on any designated 50-inch trail. The permit is for use of the state's trail system, regardless of whether your vehicle is also licensed for the street. If you only stick to Forest Service roads and public highways, you may not need it, but you'd be missing the best parts. Just get the permit.
What's included in a guided tour?
Typically the vehicle rental, DOT-approved helmets for everyone, fuel, a professional local guide, and often water, snacks, and a trailside picnic lunch.
Should we tip the guide?
If you had a great time, absolutely. A gratuity of 15 to 20 percent of the tour cost is standard in the guiding industry. Some outfitters may include a base gratuity in the booking, so check when you reserve.
Where can we find trail maps?
Your rental outfitter will provide maps. You can also get official Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) from the Jackson Ranger District office. For GPS navigation, the Forest Service recommends the Avenza Maps app, which lets you download MVUMs and track your location on the trails even without cell service.
How long are typical trips?
Guided tours range from 2.5 to 4 hours. Rentals are usually available as half-day or full-day options, giving you flexibility to explore at your own pace.
What if it rains?
Most tours and rentals operate rain or shine unless conditions become unsafe. That said, rain turns dirt trails muddy and visibility drops. If you have flexibility in your schedule, a dry day makes for a better experience. Guided tours often provide rain gear. If you're renting, bring a waterproof layer.
Which outfitter should we book?
For families new to ATV riding who want a guided experience with everything handled, Jackson Hole Adventure Rentals' Teton Overlook Tour is a solid choice. For experienced riders who want freedom and flexibility, their self-guided rentals offer great value. If you're staying near Moran or want access to trails further from Jackson, Off-Grid Experiences at Turpin Meadow Ranch puts you closer to the action.