RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) -- On any given weekend in northern Nevada, it’s a familiar scene: dozens of locals gathered for a group ride up at Moon Rocks, a popular off-roading area north of Reno.
It’s a community that all shares a love for UTVs, or Ultimate Terrain Vehicles.
"Behind the wheel of a UTV there's nothing like it. [You can go as] fast as you wanna go, or slow as you wanna go—these put it out."
From downtown Reno, you’re looking at about a 45-minute drive north along Pyramid Highway to get to Moon Rocks.
Moon Rocks is a fantastic location to bring the family out to do a little UTV riding or ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) riding. It offers a lot of different terrain; and it's right in our backyard.
For veteran riders of the area, or newcomers like Tamara and Carl Adams, Moon Rocks provides a lot of thrills.
"There [were] a couple of times when we started to get to going [and said], ‘Oh, we’re not going to make it!’ You just inch your way; it was just such a fun day."
Though there are differences between a UTV and your standard ATV quad, current models of both vehicles are of now much safer than before.
"These cars are now much safer. All parts of the family [can] to drive and enjoy every level of it."
Moon Rocks is one of many spots to enjoy this activity in our area, but there’s also a distinct draw because of the region’s beauty and historic significance.
"You can cover so much ground so fast on the West Coast. [There are] so many historical landmarks [and it’s a] great way to see it, right here in northern Nevada."
If you want to take one of these UTVs for a spin, UTV Addiction has you covered.
Rentals start at just $300 for a full eight-hour day.
Other popular destinations include Sand Mountain, Lake Tahoe, and the Rubicon Trail.