If your idea of a good date involves getting out of the city, into something fast, and through terrain that most people only ever see from a highway, a UTV tour in the Heber Valley is worth putting on the calendar. We are based in Heber City — 25 minutes from Park City and 45 minutes from Salt Lake City — and we run two-seat Can-Am side-by-sides through the Wasatch Mountain State Park backcountry. No experience required. No group to keep pace with. Just you, your partner, and a few hours of some of the best scenery in Utah.
Couples are one of our most common booking types, and for good reason. The experience scales naturally to two people — you share a machine, you go at your own pace, and the trail gives you something to do together that is genuinely different from dinner or a ski lift.
Self-Guided Is the Natural Fit for Couples
Most couples prefer a self-guided UTV tour. When you check in, you get a QR code that opens a custom Google Maps overlay on your phone, color-coded by trail difficulty with a recommended route based on your available time. Every machine goes out with a Garmin GPS unit that includes SOS capability — press one button and emergency services receive your exact coordinates without needing cell service. The trailhead is a five-minute drive from our shop, and from there the trail is yours.
You pick the route, stop when you want, ride as far as you feel like going. If you want to park at Cascade Springs and walk the boardwalks through the natural spring formations, you do that. If you want to push up the elevation and catch the view above the Jordanelle Reservoir, you do that instead. Nobody is setting the pace for you.
If you are both first-time riders and want someone to lead the way, our guided side-by-side tours are available — a guide handles all navigation and keeps things moving, which takes the pressure off on a first ride. Guided tours require a 2-vehicle minimum, so call ahead and we will figure out whether that works for your situation.
The Ride
The Wasatch Mountain State Park trail system gives couples real options depending on how much time and elevation they want. Dutch Hollow is a 12-mile loop with around 1,200 feet of gain — a committed ride with views that earn the climb. Snake Creek Canyon follows old mining routes with 360-degree views of Mount Timpanogos that shift with every turn and make for the kind of scenery that is hard to replicate on a screen. Cascade Springs is worth a stop on almost any route — park the machine and walk the boardwalk through the springs, which is a five-minute detour that most riders are glad they took.
The terrain and the light change significantly by season. Summer is lush and green with long days. Fall brings golden aspens across the canyon walls and cooler temperatures that make the ride more comfortable. Both are worth planning around.
The Machines
For couples, two-seat machines are the natural choice. The Can-Am Commander DPS 700 (52 HP) is a well-balanced, comfortable ride suited to any trail in the system. The Commander XT 700 adds higher-travel suspension for a smoother, more capable ride on rougher terrain. The Commander XT 1000R doubles the horsepower to 100 HP — the right call for couples who want to feel the machine on the climbs. All three seat two people and are available in our current fleet of new equipment purchased each season.
All operators must be 18 or older with a valid driver’s license. Operators of 1000cc machines must be 25 or older.
Before You Arrive
All operators must complete the Utah OHV Education Course before riding — required by state law. Online waivers are sent by email after booking and need to be completed before arrival. A major credit card with $2,500 available credit is required, and a damage agreement of $50 per machine per day applies.
Booking and Discounts
Couples have more scheduling flexibility than larger groups, but summer dates still fill up. We recommend booking at least a few weeks in advance for weekend rides. If you are visiting during the shoulder season — April, May, October, or November — ask about early booking discounts when you call. Check our specials page for current offers before you book.
Call 801-613-0288 or book at uintarecreation.com. We are at 2210 S Highway 40, Heber City — 25 minutes from Park City, 45 minutes from Salt Lake City, and 30 minutes from Provo.
FAQS
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No. The orientation before your ride covers machine operation and trail navigation. The QR code trail map lets you choose a route based on your comfort level — beginner-friendly loops and more challenging routes are both available.
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The Commander DPS 700 is a great all-around choice for couples who want a smooth, manageable ride. The XT 700 adds suspension travel for rougher terrain. The XT 1000R is the pick for couples who want maximum performance on the climbs. Call us if you are not sure — we will match you to the right machine.
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Self-guided tours are flexible — you choose a two-hour, three-hour, or longer route based on your available time. Guided tours run three hours. The trailhead is five minutes from our shop, so you are riding quickly after check-in.
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It is one of the better half-day options within 45 minutes of Salt Lake City. The drive to Heber City is easy, the terrain is genuinely impressive, and it is the kind of activity that tends to be more memorable than the standard dinner-and-a-show option.