If you’re planning a trip to places like Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, TN or similar mountain towns – there’s a good chance you’ve gone down the same rabbit hole thousands of other families do: UTV vs ATV. What’s the difference? Which one is better? Which one actually makes sense for a family vacation?
I see this question pop up constantly. And a lot of what you’ll find online comes from videos or articles that don’t really apply to real-life vacation planning, especially when kids are involved. So let me break it down in a way that actually helps.
Thinking like a parent (and a trip planner)
Let’s talk directly to the moms and dads planning the trip.
If you’re traveling as a family of four and you have young kids, a traditional ATV is usually out of the picture right away. That’s because most ATVs are single-seat machines, and typically riders need to be at least 16 years old. That alone knocks out the window for the most part for 90% of the ATV Tour Companies.
Now, there are a few niche exceptions. We’re actually working on adding 6×6 two-seat ATVs that allow kids to ride along.
Those will open up more options for families once they’re ready to launch, so stay tuned, quad rollers! But as things stand today, in most mountain towns and tourist destinations, ATVs just don’t fit the needs of families with younger children.
That’s where UTVs come in.
Why UTVs make more sense for families
UTVs, also known as side-by-sides, let you ride next to your family or friends instead of on separate machines. They come with seat belts, roll cages, and much more overall protection. Many are street legal, which is why a lot of rental companies use them for road access. And because they function like a motor vehicle, you can install car seats in them.
ATVs, on the other hand, are four-wheelers. You sit astride them like a motorcycle, they require helmets, and they don’t have seatbelts or protective cages.
Most off-road tours allow kids as young as three years old to ride in a UTV, which makes it the safest choice if your goal is to experience the mountains together. And despite what some people think, side-by-sides are still very capable off-road vehicles. Depending on the route, they can actually go more places because they’re wider, longer, and more stable.
From a safety and comfort standpoint, especially for parents, UTVs are usually the easiest “yes.” So if you want to feel safe, moms, UTV is the choice!
We’re planning to be one of the first companies to offer a family-friendly yet still exciting UTV (and ATV) option in the area. The goal is to get younger kids out there while still making sure everyone has a great time.
Check out our new ATV Experiences
Now that we’ve narrowed it down to UTVs, the next step depends on your family size. UTVs come in different sizes: two-seaters, three-seaters, four-seaters, five-seaters, and six-seaters. Most companies offer four- and six-seat models. The bigger the family, the bigger the vehicle. And while dads might gravitate toward the sportier, faster-looking models, options really come down to what works best for your family.
Now, let me be real for a second.
I’m a guy who likes to go fast. I like to ride crazy wheelies, do burnouts, all sorts of stuff—that’s how I grew up. But there’s a difference between cruising and enjoying the mountains and going fast.
And when you’re riding with your family, priorities change. You want the ride to be safe, enjoy the scenery talking with your kids, and actually hearing them laugh or ask questions along the way. You don’t want to get into a UTV that just beats you to death or is loud and obnoxious. You want to get one that’s family-friendly.
And just because it’s family friendly doesn’t mean it’s boring. I have just as much fun riding with my girls at 80 mph as I ever did pushing the limits on a solo machine! The experience is different, but the joy is very real.
So UTV or ATV? You’ve got the answer
Alright! Now that you’re planning the trip, which one do you really choose? one where everyone is happy and where you can actually turn around, talk to your kids, and hear what they have to say?
Those are going to be our Can-Am Defenders UTVs, especially the six-seaters we offer. And there’s a reason we focus on them while many competitors don’t. We want to give families to have the best off-road experience without giving up safety, comfort, or fun. We’ve built our offer around that goal, because families are who we’re thinking about when we design our tours and rentals.
We want to make sure you have the best experience possible, so If you have any questions, feel free to email us or reach out. We hope you found this helpful, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to read this blog post.
