ATV Side by Side Guided 4×4 Tour

The fun here is not sand dunes or a polished amusement-park track. It is a guided 4×4 ride through Quebec forest trails, where dirt, mud, rock, and snow shape the outing. The term dune buggy describes the vehicle, not the setting.

I like the clear safety setup, with certified helmets, a 15-minute briefing, and a guide along for the ride. I also like the simple format: you arrive at 178 Rue du Dépôt in Labelle, share the driving with one other person at most, then return to the same place.

The main catch is time. The advertised duration is about 90 minutes, but that includes the briefing, leaving roughly 1 hour 15 minutes on the trails. One customer reported only 60 minutes total, so I would keep an eye on the clock and speak with the operator if your ride falls short.

Key points to know before you book

• Forest trails, not sand dunes: Expect dirt, mud, rock, or snow depending on the season.
• About 1 hour 15 minutes driving: The full 1-hour-30-minute schedule includes a 15-minute training and safety session.
• Two people can share one vehicle: Only up to two participants may share the driving.
• Drivers need two things: You must be at least 18 and hold a valid driver’s license.
• A large security hold applies: The pre-authorization is $950 per ATV, payable by Visa, Mastercard, or cash.
• Come early and dress for the conditions: You must arrive 30 minutes before departure, and summer rain ponchos are supplied only when it rains.

A Quebec off-road ride with mud, rock, and snow

This outing gives you a short, direct taste of off-road driving near Labelle, Quebec. The setting is made up of forest trails rather than open sand. Depending on the season and weather, the route can include dirt, mud, rock, or snow.

That distinction matters. If you picture a dune buggy skimming across wide sandy hills, this is not that experience. The vehicle is a side-by-side 4×4, and the character of the ride comes from uneven forest tracks and changing ground conditions.

I like that the guide leads the group instead of leaving you to figure out the route alone. That gives the ride a clear structure and lets you focus on handling the vehicle, staying with the group, and enjoying the surroundings.

The activity is offered in English. No guide names are provided, so you should not expect to request a particular guide when booking. The group can reach a maximum of 16 people, which is large enough to create a group feel but still manageable for a guided motor outing.

What happens at 178 Rue du Dépôt

Your day begins at 178 Rue du Dépôt, Labelle, QC J0T 1H0. This is both the meeting point and the end point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back from the trail.

Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled tour. That early arrival is not wasted time. You need to handle check-in, prepare for the ride, receive your helmet, and complete the safety instructions before the vehicle heads out.

The operator supplies certified helmets, and you must use one of theirs. You cannot wear your own helmet. Gas is included, as is a guide, so there should be no fuel charge added during the activity.

A summer rain poncho is provided if it is raining. That is useful, but it is not a complete clothing plan. Since the route may include mud, rock, snow, or wet conditions, you should dress with the weather in mind and expect outdoor conditions rather than a clean, dry ride.

The 15-minute briefing is part of the tour

The safety and training session lasts about 15 minutes. It is included in the stated 1-hour-30-minute duration, which means the actual trail portion is intended to last about 1 hour 15 minutes.

That timing is important when comparing this activity with longer off-road outings. You are not getting 90 full minutes behind the wheel. The briefing is still valuable, especially if you have never handled a side-by-side before, but you should measure the price against the shorter driving time.

The briefing also gives you a chance to understand the vehicle and the rules before entering the forest. Participants must be able to hold on using the handle beside the seat. This is not a passive sightseeing ride where you can simply sit loosely and watch the view.

The tour operator says the route runs as planned unless participants arrive late. One customer reported that the whole experience lasted only 60 minutes instead of the expected 90 minutes. The operator replied that the intended schedule is 15 minutes of training and 1 hour 15 minutes on the trails, and invited the customer to request partial credit if that did not happen.

My practical advice is simple: arrive early, note your start time, and make sure you understand when the trail portion begins. That prevents confusion over the difference between the briefing, the riding time, and the total booking length.

Sharing the driving with one other person

Only two participants can share the driving of one ATV. This makes the experience a good fit for a pair who want to alternate behind the wheel.

The arrangement also affects the value. If two people share, each person can get driving time, but neither person controls the vehicle for the whole trail period. You should ask at the meeting point how the operator handles switching drivers so you can plan your turns before the ride gets underway.

For a solo participant, the activity may feel more straightforward because there is no need to negotiate driving time. For two people booking together, the shared format can make the price easier to accept, particularly if both of you want to drive rather than simply ride as a passenger.

Passengers must be at least 5 years old. Drivers must be 18 or older and have a valid driver’s license. Pregnant women cannot participate. These rules are firm and should be checked before you pay, since the cancellation policy does not allow changes for personal reasons.

The real price, including the security deposit

The listed price is $103.30 per person. For a 90-minute activity, that is not a bargain-basement rate, especially because only about 75 minutes are intended for trail driving. Still, the price includes the guide, gas, and a certified helmet, so you are not paying the basic fee and then adding fuel or guiding costs later.

The value depends on what you want from the outing. If you want a short introduction to off-road driving and like the idea of sharing a side-by-side, the price may be fair. If you are looking for a long, full-day route, this will feel brief.

The major financial point is the $950 security deposit per ATV. This is a pre-authorization on Visa or Mastercard, or it can be paid in cash. Debit cards are not accepted for this deposit.

The operator releases the deposit when you return without damage. Your bank may then take about five business days to return the funds, and international cards may take longer. For groups using several vehicles, the maximum deposit is $1,900.

That is a substantial temporary hold, so plan your available credit carefully. A pre-authorization is not the same as a final charge, but it can still reduce your spending room during a Quebec trip. Ask about the deposit process before departure if you are relying on a tight credit limit or carrying only a debit card.

Reading the forest trail experience correctly

The route is best understood as a practical off-road outing rather than a scenic drive with occasional bumps. Dirt, mud, rock, and snow are specifically part of the trail conditions. The terrain gives the driver something to manage and makes the ride different from a simple paved-road excursion.

The guide’s role matters here. You are following a planned route instead of choosing your own way through the woods. That helps keep the group together and gives first-time drivers a safer framework for trying the vehicle.

At the same time, a guided route means you do not control the pace or destination. The experience is built around the operator’s trail plan. If you want a private, self-directed ride, this is not the right format.

The maximum group size is 16 people. That number can affect how much time the group spends getting organized, especially if several people are switching drivers. The 15-minute briefing is fixed, but the trail time needs to be managed carefully so everyone receives the expected outing.

Weather can change the plan

Good weather is required for this experience. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

That policy protects you from being sent onto an unsuitable trail, but it also means you should leave some flexibility in your schedule if this ride is important to your trip. The activity is outdoors, and the trail conditions are part of the appeal, but severe weather can make the tour impractical.

Light rain is treated differently. In summer rain, the operator provides a poncho. The information does not promise winter rain gear, cold-weather clothing, or full protection from mud and snow, so you should arrive ready for the forecast.

The non-refundable rule is stricter for personal changes. If you cancel or request an amendment for any reason, the amount paid is not refunded. The weather exception applies when the operator cancels because conditions are poor, not simply because you decide you no longer want to go.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this ride to adults who want a short, hands-on off-road activity near Labelle and who are comfortable with a little dirt, rough ground, and changing weather.

It suits:

• Couples or friends who want to share driving
• First-time side-by-side drivers who prefer a guide
• Families with children aged 5 or older, provided the child can hold on securely
• Visitors with a valid driver’s license who want an outdoor break from sightseeing
• People who can plan around a fixed meeting point and possible weather changes

I would think twice if you want a long drive, a private vehicle for each person, or a polished ride with no mud or rough terrain. The 90-minute booking is compact, and the drive itself is expected to last about 75 minutes.

You also need to be physically able to hold on with the handle beside the seat. That requirement is easy to overlook, but it tells you something useful about the ride. The vehicle may move over uneven ground, and passengers need to take an active part in staying secure.

Booking timing and practical planning

The activity is booked an average of 23 days ahead, so I would not leave it until the last minute if your Quebec schedule has little room to move. The group limit is 16, and the tour can be affected by minimum participation requirements.

Confirmation is issued when you book. The ticket is mobile, and the activity is offered in English, making it easy to keep the booking on your phone rather than carry a paper voucher.

Because the experience returns to its starting point, it is simple to fit into a day based around Labelle. You still need to allow extra time before the official start. Arriving 30 minutes early is required, not just a polite suggestion.

Keep the security deposit in mind when planning the rest of your spending. The $950 hold per vehicle is far more important to your trip budget than the $103.30 ticket price, at least temporarily.

Is the 4.8 rating enough to justify booking?

The published score is 4.8 out of 5, with 92 percent of customers recommending the activity. That is a strong signal, though the total number of ratings is small at 13.

The positive appeal is clear: you get a guided forest ride, a safety briefing, fuel, a helmet, and the chance to drive a side-by-side rather than simply watch someone else operate it. The setting also offers more variety than the name suggests, with dirt, mud, rock, and snow instead of sand dunes.

The weak point is the short schedule. A single three-star account described a 60-minute total experience, while the operator stated that the planned format is 15 minutes of training plus 1 hour 15 minutes on the trails. That mismatch is worth taking seriously because the price feels more reasonable when you receive the full trail time.

Should you book the Labelle side-by-side tour?

Book it if you want a compact, guided introduction to off-road driving and you are happy with forest trails, shared driving, and outdoor conditions. It is especially sensible for two people who both want a turn at the wheel and for first-time drivers who prefer a guide rather than a self-guided rental.

Skip it if you want a full half-day adventure, dislike holding on over rough ground, or cannot comfortably manage the large security deposit. I would also avoid booking it as the only fixed activity on a tightly packed day, since weather and the minimum group requirement can affect the schedule.

For the best value, arrive early, confirm the expected 1 hour 15 minutes of trail time, bring suitable clothing, and make sure your credit card can handle the $950 vehicle deposit. With those details understood, this is a focused Quebec off-road outing, not a long expedition, but it can give you a memorable burst of mud, rock, and forest driving.

FAQ

Where does the ATV side-by-side tour start and finish?

The tour starts at 178 Rue du Dépôt, Labelle, QC J0T 1H0, Canada. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes, including a 15-minute safety and training briefing. The planned trail portion lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Can two people share the driving?

Yes. Up to two participants may share the driving of one ATV.

What age and license rules apply to drivers and passengers?

Drivers must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Passengers must be at least 5 years old.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a certified helmet, gas, and a guide. A rain poncho is supplied during summer rain.

What security deposit is required?

A $950 security deposit is required for each ATV. It can be made by Visa, Mastercard, or cash, but not by debit card. The deposit is released after the vehicle is returned without damage, though the bank may take about five business days, or longer for international cards.