ATV rentals and guided rides on private land
Rent ATVs by the hour or day, with guided trail rides, on land you own or lease near a tourist area.
- $20k-80k
- Part-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
2,936 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.4% in a year
NAICS 532284 “Recreational goods rental”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small base on private land (your own or leased) with a fleet of ATVs, helmets and a marked trail. Customers book a guided ride or rent by the hour or half day after a safety briefing.
Your first three steps
- Find land you could own or lease, and ask your county planning office whether commercial recreation use is allowed there
- Get quotes from insurers who cover powersports rentals before you buy any machines
- Price a starter fleet of used ATVs, helmets and a waiver system, then set up a simple online booking page
Who pays
Vacationing families, groups of friends, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and corporate outings.
How it makes money
Price per rider or per machine for guided rides and timed rentals, plus add-ons such as photo packages, group bookings and gift certificates.
Skills that help
- Confident, safe ATV riding
- Customer service and clear safety briefings
- Basic vehicle maintenance
- Booking and scheduling
Watch out for
- General liability insurance for this activity can be costly and hard to find, so get quotes first
- Zoning, county permits and any state rules for ATV operators or rental businesses, check with your county and state
- Signed waivers help, but they may not remove all your liability, check with a local business attorney
- Age, helmet and training rules for riders differ by state
- Seasonal and weather-dependent income, plus ongoing repair and maintenance costs
- Workers' compensation insurance once you hire guides
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: aTV rentals and guided rides on private land
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an ATV rental and guided ride business?
Startup costs are typically around $20,000 to $80,000, depending on the size of your fleet, safety gear and how much trail and base setup your land needs. These are estimates, and insurance quotes can shift the total.
How much can an ATV rental business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the season, weather, your location and how many bookings you get. The estimate assumes at least about 15 hours a week, before repairs and other costs.
What rules and risks should I check before offering ATV rides?
Get insurance quotes first, as cover can be costly and hard to find. Check zoning, county permits and state rules for ATV rental operators, rider age, helmet and training rules, and ask a local business attorney whether signed waivers fully cover your liability.
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Photo: kasjanf on Pixabay