Ninety Minutes on Private Trails: UTVing the Northwest Hills of Canaan

CANAAN ATV/UTV FIELD GUIDE

Ninety Minutes on Private Trails: UTVing the Northwest Hills of Canaan

A 90-minute guided ride across hundreds of acres of private trails in Canaan, Connecticut — including winter tracked runs on Can-Am UTVs when conditions allow.

Ninety Minutes on Private Trails: UTVing the Northwest Hills of Canaan.

Duration
Contact operator
Location
Canaan
Operator
Backyard Adventure UTV Tours
Category
ATV/UTV
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

Embark on a 90-minute guided UTV tour through the privately owned, rolling terrain of the Northwest Hills in Canaan. The outing uses state-of-the-art Can-Am side-by-sides across hundreds of acres of trails and — in winter when conditions permit — can be equipped with tracks for snow travel, making it an accessible, high-adrenaline option for friends and families.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE LANDSCAPE

Hundreds of Private Acres in the Northwest Hills

The tour runs across a privately owned network of trails that thread the Northwest Hills of Connecticut, giving riders sustained access to varied off-road terrain across the operator’s land.

THE MACHINES

State‑of‑the‑Art Can‑Am UTVs

Backyard Adventure runs modern Can‑Am side‑by‑sides — four‑wheel drive, automobile‑style controls, side‑by‑side bucket seating and seat belts — designed to be easy to operate after a thorough safety briefing from staff.

THE SEASON

Tracked Winter Runs When Conditions Allow

During winter months, select UTVs can be fitted with tracks and features such as a heated cab; tracked tours are weather dependent and require advance confirmation with the operator.

What the day feels like

What the 90 Minutes Feels Like

From a safety briefing and hands‑on walk‑through of controls, you move onto private trails in matched Can‑Am UTVs for a compact, high‑energy circuit across the operator’s land. The vehicles behave like small automobiles — brake, gas and steering — so after instruction the ride becomes about reading the trail, enjoying the machine, and managing speed and line through the hills and hollows.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who gets the most out of this outing — and who needs to consider the restrictions.

1
Adventurous AdultsIdeal for adults seeking a compact, machine‑forward off‑road experience using modern Can‑Am UTVs; drivers must meet the operator’s age and licensing rules.
2
Families with ChildrenChildren are welcome as passengers riding with a parent, making the tour a family‑friendly shared experience while one qualifying driver operates the vehicle.
3
Young Drivers (17–20)Operators aged 17–20 with a valid driver’s license may drive only when accompanied by a legal guardian; otherwise the minimum age to operate is 21.
4
Small Groups & Mixed Ability PartiesThe fleet includes multi‑seat UTVs (models fit up to four or five people depending on vehicle), so small groups and families can ride together provided driver requirements are met.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Timing & Season

The standard offering is a 90‑minute guided tour; in winter months select UTVs can be equipped with tracks and heated cabs, but tracked runs are weather dependent and require advance confirmation with the operator.

What to Bring

Drivers must bring a valid driver’s license and a major credit card; come dressed for the season and ready to follow the staff’s safety briefing.

Costs & Capacity

Rates list the Can‑Am Maverick Max 1000 (fits up to 4) at $179 and the Can‑Am Defender with tracks and heated cab (fits up to 5 average‑sized people) at $249 in winter; price includes one driver and additional passengers cost $39 each.

Booking & Payment

Certain winter configurations require calling the operator before booking due to weather dependency; standard booking and payment details are handled through Backyard Adventure UTV Tours.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

Are tracked UTVs available in winter?

Yes — during winter months and when conditions allow, select Can‑Am UTVs can be fitted with tracks; you should call the operator before booking because tracked runs are weather dependent.

How long is the tour?

The guided experience is 90 minutes long.

Who can operate a UTV?

Drivers must be 21 or older with a valid driver’s license; operators aged 17–20 with a valid license may operate only when accompanied by a legal guardian.

How much does the tour cost and what does the price include?

The Can‑Am Maverick Max 1000 (fits up to 4) is $179 and the Can‑Am Defender with tracks and heated cab (fits up to 5 average‑sized people) is $249 (winter only); the listed price includes one driver and additional passengers are $39 each.

Can children come on the tour?

Yes — children are welcome to ride as passengers with a parent.

Do I need to call before booking a tracked UTV?

Yes — because tracked UTV tours are weather dependent, the operator requests that you call before booking for tracked configurations.