Kīpu Ranch is the only operator running ATV tours on Kauaʻi. Kauaʻi ATV, the island’s other long-running provider, closed permanently in 2025. The 3,000-acre private ranch sits in the island’s interior, covering cattle pastures, wild coffee fields, bamboo forest, and film locations from Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and The Descendants.
The two tours differ in distance and depth. The Ultimate Kauaʻi Off-Road Ranch Tour gives a broad overview of the ranch ecosystems, running at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Waterfall Triple Trail Expedition covers nearly double the mileage, crosses all three trail systems, and adds an extended hike to three on-property waterfalls, with departures from 8 a.m.
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ATV Tours on Kauaʻi: Kīpu Ranch
Kīpu Ranch is currently the only ATV operator on Kauaʻi. The ranch runs two tours from the same 3,000-acre property, but they take different paths and appeal to different priorities.
Good to know: Kīpu Ranch Adventures was named the “2019 Sustainable Tour Operator of the Year” by the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaiʻi (formerly the Hawaiʻi Ecotourism Association).
The Ultimate Kauaʻi Off-Road Ranch Tour
The Ultimate Kauaʻi Off-Road Ranch Tour is the ranch’s signature tour: a broad sweep of the property’s ecosystems in a single 3.5-hour run. The route covers cattle pastures, wild coffee fields, bamboo forest, and rainforest, with stops at Jurassic Park, The Descendants, and Raiders of the Lost Ark filming locations.
Kīpu Ranch Off-Road UTV Tour, Kauaʻi
A 3-hour UTV tour through 3,000 acres of private Kīpu Ranch cattle land, descending into Huleʻia Valley and finishing at an overlook above Kipu Kai beach.
from:
$187
What is a suggested tour?Our suggested tours are hand-picked tours that receive consistent good reviews, give back to the community, and work hard to minimize their impact on the environment. Read more about these tours on our website.This tour runs twice a day at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The Waterfall Triple Trail Expedition
The Waterfall Triple Trail Expedition covers different terrain than the Off-Road Ranch Tour, running through all three of the ranch’s trail systems at nearly double the mileage. The route includes an extended hike stop at the property’s three waterfalls, and the same movie site highlights appear on both routes.
Waterfall Trail Expedition: 4×4 UTV Ride to a Private Kauaʻi Waterfall
Drive your own Kawasaki 4x4 across a 3,000-acre Kauaʻi cattle ranch, crossing open pasture, mountain, and bamboo jungle trails to a private waterfall with an optional swim.
from:
$187
What is a suggested tour?Our suggested tours are hand-picked tours that receive consistent good reviews, give back to the community, and work hard to minimize their impact on the environment. Read more about these tours on our website.This tour is offered four times a day, running at 8 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m.
What are ATV Tours like on Kauaʻi?
Both Kīpu Ranch tours run on private ranch land that visitors cannot reach any other way. The vehicle does most of the work, so no prior ATV experience is required. What differs between the two tours is where the route goes and how far it travels.
Passenger only or drive yourself?
While some tours around the islands are passenger-only, both Kīpu Ranch tours on Kauaʻi allow you to get behind the wheel and drive yourself.
Safety briefing
Both Kīpu Ranch tours begin with a safety briefing and hands-on training on the ATV controls. No prior ATV experience is needed. Drivers must have a valid license and be at least 18 years old; children as young as 9 can ride along as passengers.
What to expect on the tour
Once the briefing wraps, the group follows the guide out across the ranch.
Both tours include stops for photos and narration at scenic viewpoints, waterfalls, and film locations. Light snacks are included on both Kīpu Ranch tours.
Which Kīpu Ranch tour is right for you?
On Kauaʻi, the decision comes down to which Kīpu Ranch route matches what you want to see. Across the islands, the distinction is terrain: some ATV tours in Hawaiʻi climb into the foothills, others cruise the coast, and Kīpu Ranch’s tours put you on private cattle ranch and rainforest land.
Price and timing factor in, but the bigger consideration is what each tour emphasizes. For an extended stop at three waterfalls, go with the Waterfall Triple Trail Expedition. For a broader sweep of the ranch’s ecosystems and film locations, the Off-Road Ranch Tour is the better fit. For more context on Kauaʻi’s waterfall landscape, see our Kauaʻi waterfall guide.
What should you bring/wear on an ATV tour?
Helmets and other safety equipment will be provided, but you should bring the following as well:
- Closed-toe shoes (required by ATV companies to ride)
- Long pants (prevent accidental engine burns and keep mud and dirt at bay)
- Sunglasses (protection against sun, mud, and wind – although many companies provide goggles, too)
- Sunscreen (burn your fellow ATVers, not your skin)
- Change of clothes (Even when it’s sunny, you’re likely to encounter mud).
ATV tours on other Hawaiian islands
You can join an ATV tour on any of the other main Hawaiian islands.
ATV tours on Oʻahu
There are 3 different ATV tours on Oʻahu. The best-known are at Kualoa Ranch, but the Gunstock Ranch and Coral Crater adventure park also offer good options. Read more about those in our guide to ATV tours on Oʻahu.
ATV tours on Maui
Maui has two ATV tours: Maui Mountain Activities and Maui Off-Road Adventures. We compare their tour offerings in our complete guide to ATV tours on Maui.
ATV tours on the Big Island
The Big Island offers by far the greatest diversity of ATV tours in Hawaiʻi. Options range from getting dirty on muddy tracks and washing up at a private on-property waterfall to a more paced exploration of a traditional farm, and many things in between.
Read more about all options in our guide to ATV tours on the Big Island.