From Zion to the Grand Canyon: Tackling 400+ Miles in the Can-Am Maverick R
When the opportunity came up to do a 400+ mile run through Utah and Arizona—from the red cliffs of Zion to the Grand Canyon’s edge—in a Can-Am Maverick R built for Baja? The UTV Source said game on!
This was the kind of trip you don’t just add to your calendar. It becomes a core memory. Four days of trails that ranged from tight rock crawling to deep sandy washes, twisting forested climbs, and high-speed desert ruts, all while surrounded by a tight crew of industry friends and the AGM team.
The weather hit that perfect sweet spot—cool and overcast, sandwiched between two brutal heat waves. We couldn’t have planned it better.
The Machine: UTV Offroad Magazine's Baja-Bred Can-Am Maverick R Build
Mostly stock suspension, yes— but upgraded in all the right places. Here are the bolt-on parts that were added by Offroad Mag and/or UTV Source.
Aftermarket Parts Highlights:
Alsup Racing Development Cage
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| All Terrain Concepts Can-Am Maverick X3 / R Race Kit |
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| Garmin Tread XL 10" Off-Road Chase Navigator - Baja Race Edition | Garmin External GPS Antenna with Mount |
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| Rugged Radios M1 Race Series Waterproof Mobile Radio | Rugged Radios MAC Helmet Air Pumper (2 Person) |
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| DRT Motorsports Can-Am Maverick R Tire Carrier / Adventure Rack | DRT Motorsports Can-Am Maverick R Trunk Enclosure | DRT Motorsports UTV Billet Aluminum Tactical Convex Side Mirror Set |
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| Valor Offroad Wheel and Tire Package with V09 Wheels and Alpha Tires (Complete Set of 4) Mounted with Lug Nuts | AGM Products Manual Jack "Sport" Complete Jack Kit |
Vehicle settings: Even with the big 35s and added weight, the suspension felt plush and composed. We ran the car in Sport or Sport+ most of the time, and it was tuned perfectly for everything we threw at it.
Day 1: Flying Monkey First, Then Slalom S-Turns to the Virgin River
We kicked off the ride with a real challenge: Flying Monkey Trail. This trail doesn’t mess around. It’s tight, rocky, and loaded with off-camber sections that’ll keep you on your toes. To add to the fun, Jason jumped in the driver’s seat of the Maverick R for his first time ever.
Jason (Maverick R) following Janey and Eric Lee (Maverick R) through Flying Monkey Trail
Later that night, we were sitting at dinner and I asked him what it felt like to take that trail in a 77” wide car.
“Honestly, it’s the widest car I’ve ever driven,” he said. “But it didn’t feel like it. The Maverick R drives narrower than it is. Super stable. Predictable. I actually had a blast finding the right lines—made the trail feel less sketchy and more like a puzzle.”
Frank at FATCO Tours spotting us through a rocky, rutted and uphill portion of the trail
He’s right. Watching him navigate that trail, it was clear the car had composure. The FOX 2.5 Podium shocks, even on factory settings, soaked up the rock steps and off-camber turns without flinching.
After that, the trail dropped into a series of sandy slalom-style S-turns—the kind of terrain where you feel like you're carving through powder. That’s where the Maverick R’s 240 horsepower Rotax 999T engine and 7-speed DCT really woke up.
“That power delivery is symphonic,” Jason said as he ripped through the washes. “It’s got that instant response without the belt lag you get in other cars. The DCT shifts clean and hard—it just wants to move.”
We finished the day down on Barracks Trail, crossing the Virgin River 20+ times I bet. That cool water felt like heaven after a dusty run, and the Maverick R didn’t miss a beat in or out of each crossing. It tracked straight, stayed composed, and delivered a strong end to a long Day 1.
Day 2–3: Dusty Flats, Hidden Canyons, and Grand Canyon Views
We left Mt. Carmel Junction early, bound for the Bar 10 Ranch, which would be our home base for two nights.
The terrain opened up fast—dry, dusty straightaways with visibility down to three feet at times. The silt was thick, the ruts were deep, and there were moments when we just had to trust the car in front and throttle forward.
Jason stayed in Sport mode most of the day, occasionally flipping to Sport+ when the terrain opened up or we needed to push through chopped-up sections. The suspension stayed set to Sport, which proved to be the sweet spot for climbing and handling mixed terrain.
“Even when I made a mistake with throttle or line, the car just compensated,” Jason told me. “It has that balance of power and traction. Like it’s got your back when you mess up.”
The second day out from Bar 10, we climbed through BLM land, threading between wide plains and eventually heading into hard, rocky switchbacks that skirted along the Colorado River and Grand Canyon. The views were ridiculous. The trail was technical, narrow in spots, and constantly changing.
Again, the Maverick R felt morenimble than its size suggests. The steering was precise, and I could feel the Gen 2 tri-mode DPS torque steering working to keep me centered even on shale and off-camber shelf roads.
“I loved the section that was full of switchbacks between the trees with rocky climbs,” Jason said. “It was tight but super fun. I focused my eyes about 20 yards ahead, watching my left tire to thread through the obstacles—while making sure the 77" wide Mav R had clearance on the right side.”
Day 4: Forest Trails to Rutted Ranch Roads and a Sand Hollow Send-Off
On our final day, we dropped out of the high desert and into the tree-lined trails of the Mount Logan Wilderness. The canopy made the trails feel tighter and more secluded, but the terrain was still moving fast.
We passed through Temple Trail, then bombed through rutted back roads near working ranches, eventually reconnecting with graded trails outside Sand Hollow State Park to wrap the ride.
After four days of mixed terrain, we were still blown away by how versatile the Maverick R felt. Whether it was crawling rocks, flowing through trees, or gunning down sandy washes, the car never felt out of place.
Real-World Performance Breakdown
Here’s how the Maverick R stacked up across every terrain type we encountered:
| Terrain Type | Maverick R Performance Notes |
|---|---|
| Rocky Switchbacks | Predictable braking, minimal body roll, stable tracking |
| Sandy Washes | Excellent throttle response and traction |
| Tight Tree Trails | Handled like a narrower rig, great visibility |
| Rutted Roads | Sport suspension soaked it up without drama |
| Water Crossings | Solid traction, no hesitation through multiple entries |
| High-Speed Straights | DCT delivered crisp upshifts, power always on tap |
If We Could Tweak One Thing…
Jason mentioned after a few weeks decompressing from the trip back:
“I’d like to try the Maverick R on 32” or 33” tires instead of 35s. With 17” of ground clearance and over 25” of suspension travel, you don’t need the extra height—and you’d save on rotational mass. Also, I’d raise the seat height a bit and maybe upgrade to a full race bucket and fixed harness. I want to be locked in for this kind of ride.”
He also said something that stuck with me:
“Driving the Maverick R is like getting bumped to first class for the first time… and then being told you have to go back to coach on your next flight. You know you’re going to miss it.”
Final Thoughts: Maverick R = Confidence on Any Terrain
The Can-Am Maverick R delivered something different: confidence across all terrain types, with power and control that makes you feel like a better driver.
It’s fast, planted, and comfortable—but not overbearing. Whether it was tight trees, open washes, river crossings, or rock climbs, it felt right at home.
If you’re considering a Maverick R build, or just want to know what it’s capable of, trust me: it’s a beast. And with the right setup, it’s ready for any line you’re brave enough to point it at.
Looking to build your own Maverick R? Hit us up at UTV Source—we’ve got the gear, the experience, and the passion to get your rig trail-ready.
