Ready to leave well-worn ATV trails behind and explore the deep recesses of nature? Backcountry ATVing takes the sport to new heights, literally, when mounting steep slopes and figuratively as you encounter fresh challenges. These vehicles are designed to traverse challenging terrain, so how does the backcountry compare to the groomed trails at your local ATV park? Learn how to take your ride where it’s never been before.
What Is Backcountry ATVing?
The backcountry describes any sparsely populated, remote area — aka the wilderness in its purest form. ATVs are meant to go short distances, but you can ride them far and wide with the right supplies. The longest ATV trip on record is 34,945 miles over more than 437 days.
Backcountry trails will be less maintained and covered in more debris than those at a park. If there are markers to guide you, they may be covered or degraded. You’ll need to depend more on your navigation skills and instincts as a rider to reach your destination.
Tips for ATVing in the Backcountry
Here are some key tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride on your next backcountry adventure:
- Suit Up
Every trip, regardless of the distance or terrain, requires a helmet. Use a full-face or half-face helmet with goggles to keep debris out of your eyes. Wearing safety protection dramatically reduces your chances of serious injury. Cover your arms and legs from scrapes, splatters, sunburn and insect bites. Wear breathable gloves to reduce sweat with a ribbed palm to maintain a firm grip on the handlebars.
2. Ride in Pairs
Always ride with at least one other person in remote settings. You can etsuse ATV heads to communicate hands-free, coordinate your location and navigate obstacles. It syncs automatically and forms a direct link between riders to maintain individual connections as the formation changes. The preceding rider should alert the others to potential hazards, tell them when to reduce their speed and chart the safest path so the rest can follow in their tracks. Your companions can use a winch to get your ATV out of a jam, provide onsite assistance or get help in an emergency.
3. Stay Alert
Treacherous, ungroomed terrain demands your complete attention. Looking down at the controls or GPS can lead to a collision or excess turbulence. Use off-road headsets to connect to your phone or GPS wirelessly via Bluetooth. Just speak into the device to get the info you need to proceed without pulling over or taking your eyes off the prize.
4. Set a Modest Pace
Long-distance ATVing can be rough on the body and your equipment. You need to keep your engaged hips tight around the engine. Intense vibrations force your body to work even harder. Fatigue delays response times and can lead to poor decision-making. Rest for at least 15 minutes every two hours to refuel and give your muscles a break. An average of 15 mph is a healthy pace. Pad your travel times in case something goes wrong.
5. Break It Up
You don’t have to make the entire trip in one day. If the trail is impassable, you can camp nearby and try again the next day instead of turning around. Pack a trailer with supplies to go ATV camping. Shelter your vehicle from the elements overnight to keep debris, rust and wildlife at bay.
6. Prepare to Get Stuck
You’re more likely to get stuck in the backcountry than at a park, especially if it’s your first time making the trip. Losing traction is a fact of life in muddy, sandy or snowy terrain. A deep puddle or loose debris shouldn’t derail your trip. Bring a winch and ratchet straps to grab onto another ATV, a sturdy rock or a tree to get enough resistance to pull yourself out. Bring food, water, fuel, navigation tools, a first aid kit and repair tools to deal with the unexpected.
7. Service Your ATV
An extended trip can significantly reduce your vehicle’s lifespan. Vibrations can loosen nuts and bolts, and the extra debris can quickly clog your filters. ATVs rarely last longer than 10 years or 10,000 miles. Save older models for shorter trips and only use high-quality equipment in harsh conditions. Inspect the battery, brakes, tire treads, fluids, suspension and filters before the trip. Depart with a newly cleaned engine and parts to ensure a safe ride.
8. Avoid Unnecessary Risks
The wilderness has few rules, but that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want. It’s not safe to drink or ride an ATV with more than one person. Without clear boundaries, you’ll have to decide the safest path forward. Consider the stability of the terrain and practice approximating obstacles from a distance to know whether you should drive over or around it. There won’t be anyone around to close the trail under poor conditions. Don’t drive on muddy hills after a heavy rainstorm or submerge your exhaust or engine in water — and minimize your effect on the environment.
9. Get Permission
ATVs can only be driven off-road and on private property. You’ll need a permit, license and registration to access the trail. Comply with your state’s laws and check the property or park’s boundaries to avoid trespassing.
Backcountry ATVing unlocks a world of new opportunities and potential risks. You should feel comfortable riding long distances, navigating the terrain and making decisions on the fly. A thousand variables can make or break your trip. The most you can do is prepare and keep your expectations in check. If nothing goes your way, you can always reverse course and try again later.
