Renting a UTV at Glamis takes a few steps: pick a machine, book online, get the waivers signed, and pick it up at our shop on Vendor Row. Here's each one in order, then a simple plan for your first weekend.
1. Pick your machine
Every machine we rent is a Can-Am UTV (side-by-side), with a steering wheel, gas and brake pedals and seat belts. Start with seats. A 2-seat works for a couple. A 4-seat (Commander MAX XT, X3 MAX DS Turbo, Maverick R MAX X or Maverick R MAX X rs Smart-Shox) keeps a family or a few friends in one machine. See 2-seat vs 4-seat.
Then match the machine to your experience. The Commander is the easiest to drive, the X3 DS Turbo is a good first pick for the dunes, and the X3 RS, XRS and Maverick R models are best for experienced riders. More on our first-timer page and in our UTV lineup.
2. Book online
- Book on our UTV booking page. Online bookings run up to 6 days. For 7 or more, call (760) 573-6825.
- A 25% reservation deposit locks in your dates. They aren't held until it's paid.
- The vQuip Adventure Shield is required on every UTV and is already in your checkout total. It's trip insurance: liability if the driver injures someone or damages someone else's property, plus accident medical for riders.
- The damage waiver is optional and comes pre-selected. It caps physical damage to our machine at the deductible, but it never covers mechanical damage like belts, clutches or axles.
- Fuel isn't included. Add flat-rate fuel when you book, or pay per gallon when you return. No need to refill.
More on deposits, holds and damage coverage.
3. Get the waivers signed
Every rider signs a vQuip waiver before pickup: no signed waiver, no ride. After you pay the deposit, vQuip emails the primary renter a "Register Now" link. Forward it to everyone riding with you (check spam if it doesn't show up), or riders can sign at the counter. Riders can be any age. A parent or guardian signs for anyone under 18, and one parent can sign for up to 6 kids.
4. Permits, if you're camping
Our UTVs leave the shop with a current plate, registration and OHV sticker, so the rental needs no permit. The BLM permit is for the street-legal vehicle you bring into the dunes, like the truck you camp with. It's required October 1 through April 15: $55 a week bought online in advance, $70 on site, or $185 for the season, at isdpermits.net. See our permit guide.
5. Drive out
Our shop is on Vendor Row, next to the Glamis Beach Store, at 5775 E Hwy 78, Brawley, CA 92227.
- From San Diego: I-8 east to El Centro, north to Brawley, then Highway 78 east. Roughly 3 hours without traffic.
- From Los Angeles: I-10 east to Indio, Highway 86 south to Brawley, then Highway 78 east. Roughly 4 hours, more on a holiday Friday.
- From Phoenix: I-10 west to Blythe, then Highway 78 south. Roughly 3.5 hours.
Fill up and download your maps before you reach the dunes. Cell signal can be spotty.
6. Pickup day
Bring these to the shop:
- The primary renter's physical driver's license. The renter is the only driver and must be 25 or older. A passport, state ID or international driving permit works only for riders who won't drive.
- A physical credit or debit card in the renter's name that matches the license, for the security hold (credit works best). Cash holds only with a manager's OK, so call us first.
- Your booking confirmation. The booking, agreement, license and card all need to show the same name.
- Goggles, gloves and layers. Helmets are included, one per rider. Kids' helmets, goggles and gloves are for sale at the shop.
The morning of pickup, we charge the balance to the card on file and place the security hold (a hold, not a charge): $2,500 per Commander or X3 DS / MAX DS, and $3,500 per X3 RS, RS RR, XRS or any Maverick R. At the counter we check your license and paperwork, hand out helmets and go over sizes, then walk around the machine with you. Every machine leaves with the whip flag installed. More in our pickup checklist.
7. Our rules on the dunes
- Helmets on at all times, and seat belts on while you're moving.
- Only the renter drives. If the driver's name doesn't match the rental agreement, law enforcement can impound the machine.
- No night riding. Be off the sand before dark.
- Never leave a machine in the dunes overnight. If it breaks down, call us at (760) 573-6825 and stay with the machine. After hours, call and press 8 for an equipment problem on a rental. More on breakdown support.
8. Return
Bring the UTV back to the shop before closing on your last day. A late return adds a late fee plus another rental day. If you didn't add flat-rate fuel, you pay per gallon at return. We release the security hold the same day the unit comes back clean. Your bank can take up to 7 days to show it, and longer on a debit card.
Planning your first weekend
Pick your dates
We rent from October 16, 2026 through April 14, 2027. For a first trip, a non-holiday weekend gives you more room on the sand and shorter waits on Vendor Row. Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year's and Presidents' Day weekends are the busiest (see the events calendar), so book those early. Check the wind forecast before you go.
Friday: get there and set up
Arrive Friday and set up camp before dark. Renting one of our travel trailers? We deliver it to your camp or wash, leveled and set up, between 9 am and 5 pm.
Saturday: ride
Pick up your UTV, ride the morning, take a real break at camp midday, and head back out in the afternoon. Before your group splits up, agree on a regroup spot and a time. We can send GPS coordinates of popular spots if you ask.
Sunday: short ride and return
Ride in the morning, then bring the machine back before closing. For machine and trailer pairings, see our weekend trip ideas.
What to pack
- Goggles for every rider
- Gloves, long sleeves and layers for cold mornings
- A face covering for wind and dust
- More water than you think you need, plus electrolytes
- Sunscreen and a first aid kit
Camping too? Our camping guide has the camp list.
