Can kids ride safely in a UTV?
The answer is yes—when safety guidelines are followed. UTVs (side-by-side vehicles) come with features like seat belts, roll cages, and side doors, which make them a lot safer than ATVs or dirt bikes. Still, they are powerful off-road machines off-road, so following the rules and riding responsibly matters.
That said, this isn’t something parents need to stress about. In our over 5-years in business and over 20,000 rentals and guided tours, we’ve had zero child injuries of any kind at any of our locations. Each time a machine is rented, our Customer Experience Team provides a full tutorial and on-boarding process for your specific machine.
Many UTV manufacturers are also adding more seats to their units, so that parents can take their kids out for the adventure and have family bonding experiences. A lot of the younger kids find the ride so soothing, they end up with a nice sized nap along the way!
Are UTVs Safer Than ATVs for Kids?
Absolutely. Since SXS/UTVs are more enclosed than ATVs, kids are better protected during the ride. In most situations, UTVs are a lot safer for children when operated responsibly.
UTVs are designed with:
- Side-by-side seating
- Automotive style seat belts or even some with 5-point harnesses
- Seats in SXS are designed to accommodate child car seats or booster seats
- SXS include a full steel roll cage for the entire passenger seating area.
- Steering wheel control rather than handlebars
- The wider stance and longer wheelbase of a SXS compared to an ATV increases stability and machine control
These features make SXS/UTVs better suited for child passengers. However, a SXS/UTVs are not “safe by default.” Safety depends on proper seating position, correct seat-belt fit, appropriate clothing, as well as responsible driving.
All passengers must be able to:
- Sit upright with their back fully against the seat
- Wear the seat belt correctly without modification (including car seats and booster seats)
- Remain seated and belted for the entire ride
- Keep arms and legs inside machines at all times while in motion
- Avoid distractions for the driver
Children who cannot meet these requirements are at increased risk, especially on uneven terrain. For this reason, we require UTV passengers based on proper fit and safety readiness, not convenience.
If you’re interested in riding an ATV, check out our new ATV park. We offer 6×6 ATVs equipped with child seats.
Do Kids Need Car Seats or Booster Seats in a UTV?
If your child uses a car seat or booster seat in your family automobiles, then they should use them in a SXS. These machines are designed to accommodate both types of child safety seats. Their seats or boosters will also help raise them up to enjoy better views.
Our staff members all know how to properly install either in any of our machines. As part of our onboarding process, we not only include key machine operation information, but we will be happy to assist you with any car seat or booster seat installations for your experience.
Child Recommended Clothing and Footwear:
- Dress the kiddos for the weather of the day, but also remember that temperatures drop significantly at elevation. We always suggest our guests bring extra outerwear, even during the warm summer months.
- Sunglasses on those bright sunny days.
- Closed-toe shoes, highly recommended. This also helps once out of the machine while exploring the area.
- Long pants and sleeves recommended
- Eye protection and bandanas suggested on muddy or dusty days for Off-Road experiences
- Each of our locations also have a variety of gear we can outfit you group
Common Safety Rules Parents Should Follow:
- All passengers must remain seated and belted
- No standing or leaning outside the vehicle while in motion
- No arms or legs outside the UTV at any time
- Kids should in a seating position so they are not able to interfere with the gear shifter or any other driver controls.
- Reduced speeds when children are onboard
- No distracted or impaired driving
- Follow all staff instructions and posted rules
- Never exceed the vehicle’s passenger capacity
- Ensure each child is restrained properly in their seat (Applies to car and booster seats as well)
- Driver should avoid taking any pictures or videos while driving
Choosing a Family-Friendly UTV:
Most of the time, people choose a SXS based on looks or capacity. However, that is not always the best to strategy when children are participating. For example, 6-seaters not only offer more space, storage, and comfort for all passengers, but they have additional safety margin for children. 6-seaters have a middle seat in both front and rear. This helps ensure smaller children do not have hands or feet outside the machine. Additionally, the middle seat in the front row offers children a truly premium level view of the entire experience.
While 2 and 4 seat machines do not have the middle seat benefits, if the safety rules are followed properly, they machines are all safe as well for children. It is just something to consider when choosing your machine. Especially when it comes to their ability to see well along the way. We are happy to help you choose the right machine for your group that best fits their overall needs. Please ask us for a recommendation.
Final Word:
At Off-Road Gatlinburg, our fleet is selected specifically for passenger safety, stability, and reliability, making it well-suited for family-oriented experiences. Our machines are maintained and serviced with regularity on a strict schedule that we do not compromise. UTVs can provide a safe and memorable outdoor experience for families—when safety standards are strictly followed.
At Unseen Pass Global, safety is not optional—it’s built into the entire experience.
If you don’t find an answer here, you can always ask our team directly about any questions or concerns you may have about your SXS. We’re here to help!
More answers in our FAQs.
