THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Discover the thrill of off-road UTV tours at Aerie's Resort in Grafton, Illinois. Navigate limestone formations, creek beds, and wooded trails while spotting local wildlife on this unique 30-minute adventure.
Discover the thrill of off-road UTV tours at Aerie's Resort in Grafton, Illinois. Navigate limestone formations, creek beds, and wooded trails while spotting local wildlife on this unique 30-minute adventure.
Book with Aerie's Resort
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Aerie's Resort · Grafton, Illinois
Perched atop the bluffs along the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, Grafton, Illinois, offers more than just sweeping river views. It’s home to Aerie’s Adventure Tours, a fresh way to experience this unique river town’s rugged hills and limestone formations. Strap in for a 30-minute guided UTV tour aboard a six-passenger Kawasaki Mule Pro-FXT, and you’re set for an off-road exploration through creek beds, wooded paths, and limestone hollows that most visitors never see.
Aerie’s Resort is a standout destination in the Grafton outdoor scene because it combines accessibility with exhilarating terrain. Designed for ages 3 and up, these tours invite families, thrill-seekers, and nature lovers alike to navigate a compact but fascinating landscape shaped by glacial-rich soils, karst topography, and the mighty rivers nearby. The ride reveals local wildlife like red-tailed hawks and the occasional bald eagle soaring overhead, while the limestone rock formations speak to the area’s ancient geological past.
This 30-minute excursion is a perfect introduction to the region's natural character without requiring extensive hiking or off-road experience. Guides lead riders through shaded forest trails and across soft creek beds, highlighting flora and fauna unique to the upper Midwest’s riparian zones. From the vantage point of a rugged UTV, each turn brings a new discovery—whether it's a glimpse of osprey nests, or views of adventurers zipping across cables on the Grafton Zipline below.
Aerie's Adventure’s location—600 Timber Ridge Drive—sits just minutes from downtown Grafton, a charming riverside town known for its vintage shops, local eateries, and access to water activities. Visitors can easily combine their UTV tour with a day on the river or a hike along the nearby Pere Marquette State Park trails. Remember to book the Grafton SkyTour aerial lift beforehand, as it’s required to reach the tour’s hilltop check-in point.
What makes this tour exceptional is its blend of adrenaline and education. It’s not just a joyride but an opportunity to understand the forces shaping this fascinating region. Whether you’re a nature photographer hoping to catch golden hour light filtering through oak trees or a family looking for safe, memorable outdoor fun, Aerie’s Adventure Tours delivers.
Prepare for your ride by bringing a camera, sturdy shoes, and a layer for changing weather. Perfect for all seasons, these guided UTVs bring the art of outdoor exploration to families and outdoor enthusiasts escaping into the hills of Grafton.
easy.
30 minutes.
Suitable for all fitness levels, including young children from age 3 and up.
No, the guided tours are suitable for all ages and skill levels, including children as young as 3.
No, the SkyTour Day Pass is not included and must be purchased separately to reach the tour location.
No, the tour uses only the provided Kawasaki Mule Pro-FXT vehicles driven by the guides.
Accessibility information is not provided; please contact Aerie’s Resort directly for accommodations.
You may spot red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, osprey, white-tailed deer, and various songbirds.
The tour welcomes riders from age 3 up to 100, making it family-friendly.
The surrounding limestone formations date back hundreds of millions of years, formed from ancient seabeds and shaped by glacial activity.
Aerie’s Adventure Tours promotes low-impact exploration to protect delicate limestone ecosystems and local wildlife habitats.
Aerie's Resort is a family-friendly adventure destination located in Grafton, Illinois. The resort operates Illinois' first alpine coaster — nearly 4,000 feet of track with seven hair-pin turns and eight waves — accessed via the SkyTour aerial lift. The SkyTour provides scenic rides with panoramic views of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers and direct access to Aerie's restaurants, the Alpine Coaster, and the property ziplines. Aerie's also offers guided UTV tours: 30-minute excursions in brand-new six-passenger Kawasaki Mule Pro-FXT vehicles that take guests across hills and hollows, through creek beds and past limestone formations where local wildlife sightings are common. Tours are led by trained staff who focus on safety and route familiarity, and the resort welcomes guests of all ages to enjoy the attractions. Public parking and visitor information available.
Book with Aerie's Resort