What to Wear & Know for a Las Vegas ATV Tour

An ATV ride in the Mojave is dusty, sunny, and hands-on — and a few small wardrobe and prep decisions make the difference between a great morning and a miserable one. Most of what you need is simple, and the operator supplies the safety gear. This guide covers exactly what to wear, what to bring, and the age and license rules that catch people out. For the full picture of the rides themselves, start on the home page.

The One Rule Operators Actually Enforce: Closed-Toe Shoes

If there’s a single dress-code rule to remember, it’s footwear. Fully closed-toe shoes are mandatory with essentially every operator — sneakers or boots are fine, but sandals, flip-flops, slip-ons, and open-toe shoes are flatly refused. Several operators are explicit that if you show up in open shoes, you won’t be allowed to ride — no refund for the wardrobe. This isn’t fussiness; it’s the one item that’s both a safety requirement and a hard gate at check-in.

What to Wear

• Closed-toe shoes — sneakers or boots, never sandals (mandatory).
• Long pants — strongly recommended to protect your legs from desert brush, cactus, and the hot engine. Many operators advise against shorts for exactly this reason; you’re in real desert with cactus and the occasional rattlesnake.
• Light, breathable layers that still cover skin against sun and dust.
• Sunglasses and a bandana or buff for the fine desert dust that gets everywhere.
• Sunscreen, applied before you set off — the desert reflects sun from all sides.

The operator provides the helmet and goggles, so you don’t need to bring your own. Goggles matter: the dust is the part first-timers underestimate, and a guide’s goggles plus your own buff keep it out of your eyes and mouth.

What to Bring

Keep it minimal — you’re riding, not hiking:

• Photo ID or passport (required to ride, and to verify age).
• Water — most guided tours include some, but bring extra, especially in the warm months.
• A driver’s license if your specific tour requires one to drive (see below).
• Sunscreen and lip balm.

Age and License — Check Before You Book

The rules vary by product, so read each listing, but the general picture is:

• Self-guided rentals typically require riders to be at least 16 with valid ID — and a driver’s license is often not required to ride.
• Guided tours more commonly require a valid driver’s license to operate the ATV, with drivers usually 16 or older. On some Eldorado Canyon tours, riders under 18 must have a parent or guardian present, and the minimum age to ride as a passenger can be as young as 7.

That license difference is the single biggest “gotcha,” so if someone in your group doesn’t drive, our rental vs. guided tour guide explains which format lets them ride.

What’s Included (So You Don’t Over-Pack)

On both rentals and guided tours, the safety gear (helmet and goggles), the safety orientation, and the OHV permit are included in the price. You do not need to register anything or bring gear — that’s only relevant if you ride your own off-highway vehicle, which needs a Nevada DMV registration decal (about $20 a year). For a rental or tour, it’s already handled.

A Few Practical Notes

Rides run rain or shine, so dress for the day’s weather, not just “desert.” Tours are also off-limits to some riders for safety: typically pregnant women and, depending on the operator, people with back or heart problems. And timing shapes comfort as much as clothing — see the best time for a Las Vegas ATV tour to pick a season and time of day that suits the heat.

Ready to Book?

Dress right, bring your ID, and the desert does the rest. Compare the rides on the home page and check availability for your dates.