Adventure
ATV Tours in Kauai: Kipu Ranch & Backcountry Trails
By Rick Kennerknecht · Updated October 2026
ATV tours let you reach parts of Kauai that most visitors never see: private ranch land, river crossings, hidden waterfalls, and the filming locations of Hollywood movies. It is a muddy, grin-inducing way to explore the backcountry, in multi-seat side-by-side UTVs that let couples and families ride together.
Kipu Ranch Adventures
The best-known operator runs tours across the 3,000-acre Kipu Ranch south of Lihue, where scenes from Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and The Descendants were filmed. You cross the Huleia River, pass waterfalls, and take in sweeping mountain and coastal views on trails closed to the general public.
Vehicle options
Tours use multi-seat side-by-side UTVs, so couples, friends, and families ride together, with one licensed driver and the rest as passengers. Pick a vehicle size that fits your group; families usually book the larger seats so everyone rides in one car.
What the ride is like
Expect red mud, water crossings, and bumpy trails. This is a get-dirty outing. Tours run about three to four hours with stops for photos and sometimes a swim at a waterfall or reservoir. Guides share film trivia and ranch history along the way.
Requirements and cost
Drivers must be 18 or older with a valid driver's license, and passengers must be at least 9. Expect prices from about $187 per person. Closed-toe shoes are required, and you will want clothes you do not mind ruining plus a full change for after.
Tips
Book a morning tour to beat afternoon rain (though mud is part of the fun regardless), bring a bandana or sunglasses against dust and splashes, and use a strapped-on or waterproof camera. It pairs well with the Jurassic Park filming-locations theme for movie fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kipu Ranch Adventures south of Lihue is the top pick, crossing movie-famous ranch land with river crossings, waterfalls, and big views.
More guides: all Kauai guides · things to do.