Top 5 ATV riding spots in Saudi Arabia you need to explore
Explore the top 5 ATV riding spots in Saudi Arabia. Discover scenic trails, desert routes, and off-road locations for every adventure rider.
09 Aug 2026
When it comes to off-road riding, Saudi Arabia opens up a wide range of wild and varied terrain. Around Riyadh, bright red dunes rise sharply from the desert floor. Near Jeddah, rocky valleys replace loose sand with hard-packed tracks. Travel east, and coastal terrain brings smoother routes with a completely different rhythm. That variety gives riders access to some of the most distinctive ATV riding spots in the Gulf.
Those of you planning to ride regularly can browse ATVs for sale and choose a machine of your own instead of renting one.
Below, we have picked five best ATV riding locations in the Kingdom, along with the Sharmax models best matched to each one. Before riding, always confirm local access rules. Protected landscapes, private land and organised tourism areas may restrict independent motorised entry.
What types of ATVs are used for desert tours?
Not every quad used on an ATV tour in SA is built for the same job. At one end are lighter sport ATVs designed for responsive handling. Moderate output makes them easier for beginners to control, while their lower weight suits short loops and open beginner ATV trails. These models let new riders focus on braking and smooth throttle use rather than wrestling with a heavy machine.
Large utility ATVs sit at the opposite end. Four-wheel drive and stronger low-end torque help them cross deep sand or climb uneven ground. Higher clearance also becomes valuable once ATV routes include rocks, ruts or sharp changes in elevation.
Saudi Arabia makes the difference especially clear. A family-oriented ride in Al Thumama asks for something very different from an authorised expedition through AlUla. Some ATV tracks reward agility and quick acceleration. Others need stable power delivery and a chassis built for rough ground.
The right choice is therefore not always the ATV with the largest engine. What matters is how well the machine matches the rider and the terrain ahead.
Best ATV riding places in Saudi Arabia
Red Sand Dunes, Riyadh
The Red Sand Dunes southwest of Riyadh are known for their striking colour and steep sand faces. Rental activity and desert excursions make the area one of the most recognisable ATV riding spots around the capital.
- Terrain: Bright red sand, steep slopes, bowls and flowing dune sections
- Skill level: Intermediate to advanced, with controlled options for beginners
- Highlight: Accessible dune riding within practical reach of Riyadh
- Best fit: Sharmax Cruiser Race 550 GX
Sharmax Cruiser Race 550 GX
The Cruiser Race 550 GX is a logical match for this setting. Its sport-oriented chassis suits active riding, while its 450cc engine produces just enough punch (45 hp) for intermediate riders. Red Sand rewards quick acceleration and sharp direction changes. That gives a lighter sport quad an advantage over a large utility ATV, especially during shorter high-energy sessions. Its power makes it better suited to riders who already understand dune approaches and weight transfer. Newcomers should begin on gentler ATV tracks with an instructor before attempting the steeper faces.
Displacement (cc)
449
Ground clearance (mm)
270
Power (hp)
45
Max speed (km/h)
120
Fuel consumption (L/100 km)
10–12
Al Thumama Desert, Riyadh
Al Thumama is a familiar weekend destination for desert camps and recreational off-road activity. Its open ground and lower-intensity routes make it more approachable than the steepest red dunes.
- Terrain: Open desert flats, low dunes and informal recreational tracks
- Skill level: Beginners, families and casual riders
- Highlight: Easy-going desert riding close to Riyadh's main urban area
- Best fit: Sharmax Activator 280 RX
Sharmax Activator 280 RX
The Activator 280 RX brings a more manageable format to such beginner ATV trails. Its 223cc engine develops 23 hp, and 290 mm of gives it enough capability for loose sand without making the machine unnecessarily demanding for a new rider. This recreational sports ATV offers enough capability for open desert riding without the size of the larger Force models. Al Thumama also works well for riders who want an easy introduction to desert riding without committing to a long trip outside Riyadh. Its open layout leaves more room to practise basic control, making it one of the more approachable ATV riding spots near the capital.
Power (hp)
23
Displacement (cc)
223
Ground clearance (mm)
290
ATV models
4х2
AlUla Desert, Madinah Region
AlUla offers a completely different kind of ATV trail riding. Instead of open dune fields, its landscape is dominated by monumental sandstone formations and rugged desert passages.
- Terrain: Rocky desert, canyon approaches, sand patches and irregular trails
- Skill level: Advanced riders on authorised routes
- Highlight: Extraordinary geological scenery and technical mixed terrain
- Best fit: Sharmax Force 1100 EFI EPS
Sharmax Force 1100 EFI EPS
The Force 1100 EFI EPS is the strongest ATV match for this environment. Its large V-twin engine and four-wheel-drive system provide the power reserve needed for demanding ground. EPS and differential-lock capability also support more controlled progress through uneven terrain. The Force 1100 is therefore the best match from the current ATV catalogue, but only for approved ATV off-road trails where that vehicle type is permitted. AlUla is not a place for improvised independent riding. Its archaeological and natural landscapes require a much more careful approach than an open recreation area. The official Experience AlUla platform offers organised adventure activities and guided off-road nature experiences through approved channels.
Displacement (cc)
976
Power (hp)
93
Max torque (Nm)
95
Max speed (km/h)
135
Electric power steering (EPS)
Yes
Half Moon Bay, Khobar
Half Moon Bay brings coastal scenery into the mix. The surrounding terrain can include smoother dune corridors and firmer tracks near the shore, making it better suited to flowing recreational riding than aggressive rock crawling.
- Terrain: Coastal sand, smoother dune corridors and beach-adjacent tracks
- Skill level: Intermediate riders
- Highlight: A more relaxed off-road setting beside the Gulf coast
- Best fit: Sharmax Cruiser Race 350 GX
Sharmax Cruiser Race 350 GX
The Cruiser Race 350 GX offers the right balance for this location. Its sport format keeps it agile, while the engine provides enough output for open sand without placing a flagship utility machine beneath the rider. That makes it a good fit for beginner or intermediate ATV routes where maintaining a smooth rhythm matters more than climbing the largest possible dune. The lighter chassis should also feel more natural during repeated turns along firmer coastal trails. Half Moon Bay works best when riders stay on established ATV trails and avoid wet shoreline sections or sensitive coastal areas. Using recognised access points also helps protect the coastline and keeps riders away from restricted sections.
Displacement (cc)
250
Power (kW)
18
ATV models
4х2
Max speed (km/h)
80
Moon Valley, Jeddah
Moon Valley, also known as Wadi Al Qamar, lies north of Jeddah and is better known for its unusual rock formations than for deep dune riding. This makes it one of the most distinctive ATV riding locations on the list.
- Terrain: Hard-packed dirt, loose stones, rocky passages and uneven trails
- Skill level: Intermediate riders with steady low-speed control
- Highlight: Crater-like formations and a technical trail character
- Best fit: Sharmax Hummer 320 RX LTD
Sharmax Hummer 320 RX LTD
The Hummer 320 RX LTD is better suited to this ground than a high-output sand racer. Its 286cc engine produces around 25 hp, and 300 mm of gives it more room over stones and uneven sections. Its practical chassis and useful clearance support slower riding over irregular terrain, where careful wheel placement matters more than top speed. A large sport ATV may feel exciting on open dunes but unnecessarily aggressive here. Moon Valley rewards controlled throttle use and a machine that stays predictable across rough ATV tracks. Saudi’s official adventure guide includes Moon Valley among the country’s outdoor destinations, but riders should still confirm where motorised access is allowed and avoid damaging geological features.
Displacement (cc)
286
Ground clearance (mm)
300
ATV models
4х2
Power (hp)
23
Max speed (km/h)
80
Booking an ATV tour in Saudi Arabia: what to look for
Saudi Arabia has a growing range of desert activity operators, but one ATV tour can differ greatly from another. The location may look impressive in photographs while the actual package includes little riding time or no meaningful instruction.
Start with your experience level
Some tours are built around slow supervised loops. Others assume that riders already know how to manage soft sand or rocky ground.
Booking a tour below your level may feel uneventful. Booking too far above it can place a beginner on ATV off-road trails where every obstacle arrives before the rider has learnt the basics.
Ask whether the operator includes a practice session. New riders should also check whether the ATV's speed is limited and whether the guide stays nearby throughout the route.
Choose between group and private riding
Group tours are generally cheaper and can be more social. The disadvantage is that the pace follows the least experienced rider.
A private or small-group booking costs more but lets the guide adapt the ATV route. For families or first-time riders, a private session on beginner ATV trails may provide more useful riding time than joining a large convoy.
Check what the price includes
Before booking, confirm:
- the actual riding duration;
- whether helmets and goggles are included;
- the ATV model and engine category;
- transport to the starting point;
- insurance or damage-deposit conditions;
- whether water and recovery assistance are provided.
A low headline price can quickly lose its appeal once essential equipment or additional riding time is charged separately.
Inspect the ATV before setting off
Check the tyres and controls before leaving the starting area. Test the brakes and look underneath for visible fluid leaks. The throttle should return smoothly when released.
Ask whether the operator matches the machine to the rider's ability. The most powerful ATV in the fleet is rarely the right choice for someone entering their first ATV track.
Consider the route and travel time
Red Sand and Al Thumama work well for shorter trips from Riyadh. Half Moon Bay suits a recreational coastal day. AlUla requires far more planning and should be approached through authorised tourism providers.
Moon Valley also calls for route confirmation because it is a broader natural landscape rather than a formally marked ATV park.
Matching the machine to Saudi terrain
The best ATV riding places are not automatically the ones with the tallest dunes or the roughest tracks. A good destination must suit both the rider's ability and the vehicle beneath them.
A sports quad such as the Cruiser Race 550 GX feels at home on the steep, flowing Red Sand Dunes. Put the same machine onto Moon Valley's slower rocky trails, and its performance focus becomes less useful.
The opposite is equally true. A large four-wheel-drive model can provide valuable traction in difficult terrain, but it may feel cumbersome on short beginner ATV trails around Al Thumama.
The smartest approach is to match the rider, the route and the machine. Once those three pieces line up, Saudi Arabia's ATV riding spots become safer and far more rewarding. Choose authorised ATV routes, respect protected landscapes and build experience gradually. The next trail will still be waiting when you are ready for it.
