Preparing For Labor Day Camping With Your UTV

Labor Day is coming up soon and, like any three-day weekend, it beckons to the adventurous among us to take some time out of our busy lives and head into nature for a few days. What better way to enjoy the outdoors than by camping with your utility terrain vehicle (UTV)? You can go to a fun recreational trail that has all the twists and turns you desire for a thrilling afternoon adventure with your family!

Polaris® of Gainesville, located in Alachua, is your Florida side by side dealer. To prepare you for the upcoming three-day weekend (or really, any weekend trip you want to take!), we’ve created this guide to UTV camping so you can enjoy adventure and thrills for days.

Choose Your Destination

First, you’ll need to figure out where it is you’re going. If you only have the few days, you’ll probably want to head for something within a few hours of home that’s easy to tow your UTVs to. So you’ll want to investigate some of Florida’s amazing recreational trails and off-roading areas. You could also look into slightly longer trips that take you north into Georgia or Alabama. 

It’s best to look these places up a few weeks in advance if you can so you can reserve your campsite and make sure that the trail or riding area is open for business. You’ll also want to ascertain whether your campsite has all the amenities you need from it, including showers, laundry facilities or a camp shop. Don’t forget to check the weather in advance of your trip to make sure no sudden storms will ruin everything!

Tune Up Your Side By Side

Next, you’ll need to make sure that your UTV is equal to the task. This means performing some minor maintenance like checking your tire pressure, checking the oil, filling up your gas tank, replacing the air filter and testing brakes and lights for functionality. If you come across anything major that you can’t address yourself at home, you can always have the Polaris® of Gainesville service team take a look for you! A thorough pre-trip inspection now will save you a headache down the road by ensuring that everything is in good working order so you don’t get stuck with a flat tire or an empty gas tank in the middle of nowhere.

Pack Wisely

Finally, you’ll want to pack for your journey. Chances are good that you’re towing your side by side to the campsite, so you’ll have it on a trailer, giving you space in your car to put your camping gear, clothes, food, medications, phone charger, toiletries and your tent, if you have one. Backpacking gear is great for UTV camping trips because it’s small and easily fits anywhere. Don’t forget to pack your riding gear, including your helmet, goggles, riding gloves and sturdy boots!

You’ll want to make sure that your UTV is stocked with everything you’ll need on the trail. This should include a map of the area, a compass, your GPS, an emergency radio, signal flares, a first-aid kit, a repair kit with tire patches, an air compressor, food, water and anything else you may deem necessary for the journey.

UTV camping is a fun and rewarding experience, and you’ll be sure to make some great memories on your trip. Think you’re ready to pack up your gear and hit the trails? Come by our Alachua dealership today to see our current selection of new and used UTVs for sale. We provide both financing options and test drives to help you find the perfect side by side! Polaris® of Gainesville serves the city of Gainesville as well as Lake City and St. Augustine, Florida.