Appalachian Adventures

We visited Appalachian Adventures from out of state. Our interest was in their Mountain ATV tour. Patricia from the office, could not have been more accommodating, professional, or kind!

The ATV machines were new and well-maintained, the helmets were also brand new. Our guide, Brad, was very thorough in his safety presentation and also made sure that all riders were comfortable before we ventured out.

We could not have asked for more on the tour. We were definitely in rugged, natural mountain environment. The trails were well-marked and maintained, and very, very fun to ride.

Brad was very comfortable in the outdoors, and even took time to point out natural plant life, berries, and even pulled over to safely relocate two box turtles from the trail.

From the first reservation phone call to saying good-bye, we were 100% satisfied! We would absolutely recommend Appalachian Adventure ATV tours, and only wish we had more time to enjoy their fishing charter!

Service was great, from scheduling the trip to the ATV ride. I would recommend the 3 hr private tour with a few of your friends. Even as an experienced rider the trails were very enjoyable and the scenery was amazing. Tim our guide was down to Earth and was easy to talk to and made sure the less experience riders in the group were comfortable with the different trail conditions. The equipment was great, it easily handled the inclines, declines, stones, mud conditions throughout the trail. Highly recommend this company if you want to ride some ATVs in Luray VA, I plan on going again.

Jake

Our family of beginners had a great experience for our first ATV ride. Patricia assured me our guide would make sure we were comfortable operating all equipment before we left on our journey. Our 2-hour experience was great, a good balance of various types of trails - enough to build your confidence and then challenge it. Up, down, over rocks and through water - definitely a winner. Brad, our guide kept good tabs to ensure I was good with everything throughout. Nature and views were wonderful. The entire team at Appalachian was accomodating to our schedule and the experience really made our day. So glad we were able to experience this with Patricia and her team, they made sure our visit was memorable.

This tour company is not well set up to attend to paying customers who expect a fun and safe experience. They are more concerned about your not wasting THEIR time, that you don't do anything to mess up their equipment, and don't sue them than about whether the paying customers have fun or find the experience a pleasant one.

We did the 2 hour ATV tour. To start, booking was painful. I called three times and emailed twice before finally getting a call back. When I finally spoke with her, as other reviewers stated, Patricia was defensive, before I even said what I wanted to book, and rather abrasive and patronizing. Trying to book an ATV adventure for 3 people then took 20 minutes on the phone, where I had to listen to long lectures about how we had to be on time, or they would keep our deposit money, then sign two contracts, one, while I was on the phone with her, another in an email afterwards which I was told if I didn't reply to she would cancel my booking.

THen, after taking my deposit and confirming the reservation via email, Patricia texted and called me twice the morning of the adventure to confirm. If I've made a reservation and given you a 50% deposit, there is no need to bother me on my vacation to re-confirm. Oddly, when we went to the office and texted her that we were there, we were reprimanded for being early. Then, we had to listen to a 25 minute lecture from her explaining the contract, sign another contract (now the 3rd contract to sign), and listen to her complain about other clients she doesn't like. Rather unprofessional and not the way we want to spend our vacation.
Then, we had to provide our own transportation about 9 miles away to where the ATVs were. There, we had to sign one more contract and a liability waiver. All told, our reservation was for 11:15, and we didn't hit the trails until 12:30.

The guide was friendly enough, and the terrain and views were beautiful, but we were only allowed to go 5-9 miles/hour, despite everyone in the group being familiar with ATVs. It got boring very quickly. We paid for a two hour tour, but were only on the trails for about an hour and 40 minutes, but I didn't complain about that; since we were going so slow, we were ready to call it quits.

It's a shame, because we love ATVing, but this experience was so unpleasant, I would not book with them again.

1. It took days for them to return my calls and emails for my reservation request and almost an entire week to actually book. Something about being short staffed after (every one of the 27 summers) they’ve been open?
2. Upon arrival we felt completely unwelcome. Rather than put on a mask (COVID), she suggested that we, paying customers, stand outside on the steps while she explained how the virus “wasn’t here.” “It had passed earlier in the year but nowit’s gone.” That she only wears masks in Walmart because that’s where travelers are. Saying this inA room full of travelers while coughing up her lungs. But she explained it’s because she’s a long time smoker so we shouldn’t worry.
3. The guides didn’t acknowledge our presence except to give ride instruction.
4. Rather than paying their guides more, they expect customers to give them a 20% tip.

Not sure if it’s the sign of the times but it’s not a chance they’ll ever get my business again. I think their customer niche is more for those of a Confederate mindset.

We brought our son and 2 best friends on this adventure. We did 1hour. We only rode for 35mins and only got up to 8miles per hour but the guide was nice and owner, Patricia, who did our paper work was kind. Perhaps, next tine,we will do the 2 hour to get more time..as long as we can drive a little faster than 8mph 😉 Would recommend time anyone who is looking for a fun activity to see the beauty of Luray. Thank you 😊

We paid the sales woman $600 for ATV riding. The tour was a slow 2 hour ride that kept all ATV’s riding in a line at 5-7mph the entire timeno exaggerating! Brad, our guide, was no fun at all. He drove real slow at the front and his assistant trailed at the back keeping all ATV’s locked in the middle like a slow train ride. Our guide did not include or allow us any opportunity to speed up and we asked him “twice” during our tour. For the price we paid, our guide needed to be more accommodating.

Patricia and Tim was amazing, very welcoming and gave great instruction! Patricia was so well spoken and she was so homely made you feel welcomed and comfortable. And the ATVs with Tim was super awesome, the views.. there’s no words, the trails even times when we went in the water. You just have to experience it yourselves you’ll truly enjoy, no doubt 10. 🙌🏽🙌🏽 Was such a great time we truly didn’t want to leave. TIL NEXT TIME

We booked a 2 hour ATV ride as a mini retreat for a professional organization. The team drove up from Richmond and was warmly greeted by the owner. After the thorough safety review and paperwork processing, we went to their beautiful mountain property. Our two guides were friendly and professional! The first hour was a break in to get used to riding in rough terrain. The second hour was filled with mud puddles speedy straightaways and a few technical traverses. Nothing too complicated so our beginner rider had no problems.

I understand while people may not like the rigid rules and policies in place, but the formula is simple..book ahead, be on time and don't ride like an idiot. You will have a fun time!

Patricia very helpful in booking 4 hour fishing trip for husband,son and grandson. Tom the expert guide was wonderful and provided a quality fishing 1st experience for my 7 year old who caught a big one!! Everyone caught fish and had a great day.
Definitely a highlight of our family trip