2022 Drummond Island Jamboree Check-In

[Philly_]

Signed up for my first ever Jeep Jamboree for June of 2022 on Drummond Island! This is has been something I wanted to do for a while, but moved to Texas and sold my last Jeep before I got the chance. It's going to be a long drive up from Dallas, but I could not be more excited!

Any Drummond Island veterans, going to the jamboree or not, feel free to chime in with tips and advice. I know I don't have much of an idea of what to expect because most write ups and videos are of modified rigs, so I am sure others are curious too. Currently, I plan to attend in a bone stock Rubicon, but might throw some skid plates on if everyone thinks it would be worth it with no lift and 33's.

Anyways, who is going? Hoping to meet a couple forum members there!

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[wibornz]

I have been to Drummond Island many times. No worries on the extra skid plates. Most of the island is fairly easy wheeling. The island is for the most part a hard surface with a lot of water. So the advice I would give you is if the water hole looks smooth going in and coming out the other side, you are good. If it looks rutted up like vehicles had to climb in and climb out. Big rutts from the tires spinning to get out. Get out and check it before you put a tire in it. The south loop to Marble Head is the badge trail. This is where the majority of the deep mud, deep ruts are. If you watch Youtube, you will see people videoing being at Marble Head with a clean vehicle saying look at me I did the badge with a clean vehicle. They did not do the badge trail. The steps are not the badge. If it has been relatively dry for a while, you can pick a line through the south loop and avoid the bigger mud holes, but you will not come out the other side clean. It is just not going to happen. You will be hard pressed to see a video from the south loop.

This is one of the few that show some of the south loop.


Go slow through the water as the water hides rocks under the surface. There is very little cell service on the island. The closer you get to the ferry, the better the cell Service will be.

There are places to camp all over the island so don't think you have to go to a camp site. Just know that the DNR (Dept. of Natural Resources) the trail police will be thick during the Jamboree and they will write tickets for everything. The Jamboree should help keep you ticket free though just follow their lead. It saddens me to say this as past law enforcement, but the DNR is pretty much assholes so just beware.

If you are camping, there are some epic spots for disbursed camping on the south side of the island that few go to as most wheel on the north side of the island.

I did a thread on Drummond Island a couple months ago. There is a bunch of pics in the tread.

JL Wrangler thread about Drummond Island

While I will not be as active on the forum in a couple days as I will be doing a lot of traveling, if you have any specific question do not hesitate to ask.

 

[Philly_]

Awesome! I appreciate you chiming in! I am definitely going to check out that video.

Also, your pictures are amazing! Definitely gets me more excited to go. I am also happy to hear it’s not worth throwing skid plates on just for this trip. I plan to get some eventually, but it wasn’t going to be until further down the line.

Currently looking forward to the stock fuel economy while I still commute in Dallas traffic everyday.

 

[guzie]

I’m a Michigan native. Born and raised up in northern Michigan in Boyne City. We live in Grand Rapids now. I’m registered for this as well. It will be our first Jeep Jamboree. New to Jeeps. We just picked up our 2021 rubicon xtreme edition in the beginning of December. Never been to Drummond island either. Looking forward to it. I have steel bumpers from the factory. Would be good to throw a winch on there for spring.

 

[wibornz]

I’m a Michigan native. Born and raised up in northern Michigan in Boyne City. We live in Grand Rapids now. I’m registered for this as well. It will be our first Jeep Jamboree. New to Jeeps. We just picked up our 2021 rubicon xtreme edition in the beginning of December. Never been to Drummond island either. Looking forward to it. I have steel bumpers from the factory. Would be good to throw a winch on there for spring.

If adding anything to do Drummond Island, it would be a winch. Still not needed in your case, as you will be there with the Jamboree and they will have people on each trail run that will be able to pul you out if you get stuck.

 

[RayBee]

On my bucket list!

 

[Philly_]

I’m a Michigan native. Born and raised up in northern Michigan in Boyne City. We live in Grand Rapids now. I’m registered for this as well. It will be our first Jeep Jamboree. New to Jeeps. We just picked up our 2021 rubicon xtreme edition in the beginning of December. Never been to Drummond island either. Looking forward to it. I have steel bumpers from the factory. Would be good to throw a winch on there for spring.

Looking forward to meeting you there!

I have steel bumpers as well and was thinking the same thing, but might hold off and get some traction boards and other recovery gear instead. With everyone else coming to this thing, I figure someone will be able to pull me out if I get stuck. I also don't love the idea of someone messing with my winch in downtown Dallas. I think I will wait until I can garage my Jeep.

 

[RKB]

$800 for the wife and I what all does that get you? I normally do not like big groups but have had some wonderful times off roading with small groups. Would I like this?

 

[Philly_]

$800 for the wife and I what all does that get you? I normally do not like big groups but have had some wonderful times off roading with small groups. Would I like this?

I believe the only things included are meals and ORV tags, and then you also get a guided trail run around the island with a large group. It would be much more economical to go out on your own with a small group or a friend, but I like the idea of having guides and a large group for unfamiliar and relatively remote (minimal cell signal) terrain.

For me, it feels like one of those things I have to do at least once and seems like a great way to meet fellow Jeepers.

It also forces me to actually take time off and go do it because I paid for it and the dates are set… I am guilty of being a workaholic at times and have a hard time convincing myself to take time off.

 

[DenaliDan]

My wife and I did the DIJJ last year (our first JJ) and had a great time. The guides and everyone there are the best. Lots of people who attend other Jamborees say DI is THE best organized and most fun Jamboree they've ever attended. I feel recovery gear should be standard for any Jeep but don't stress it for this trip. They'll put you in a group based on your Jeep and you'll have no worries. The guides will get you through every time. I wish we could go again next year but vacation time is limited.

 

[DenaliDan]

I believe the only things included are meals and ORV tags, and then you also get a guided trail run around the island with a large group. It would be much more economical to go out on your own with a small group or a friend, but I like the idea of having guides and a large group for unfamiliar and relatively remote (minimal cell signal) terrain.

For me, it feels like one of those things I have to do at least once and seems like a great way to meet fellow Jeepers.

It also forces me to actually take time off and go do it because I paid for it and the dates are set… I am guilty of being a workaholic at times and have a hard time convincing myself to take time off.

I wouldn't call the groups at the DIJJ "large". More like medium. I think most groups had 10-12 Jeeps. It was only slow getting through several obstacles and those weren't bad because everyone like to watch others make it through. Hardly a dull moment during the two days on the trails.

You mentioned "remote" terrain. Being on the island adds to the remote feeling of this one. You definitely get the feeling that life is a little different out there.

 

[DenaliDan]

$800 for the wife and I what all does that get you? I normally do not like big groups but have had some wonderful times off roading with small groups. Would I like this?

The price of admission gets you your meals (as mentioned), fun, and expert guides who seriously know the trails and what your Jeep can do. I've followed a good number of trail guides around and these individuals really know what they're doing and take your safety and your Jeep's health seriously.

 

[Philly_]

I wouldn't call the groups at the DIJJ "large". More like medium. I think most groups had 10-12 Jeeps. It was only slow getting through several obstacles and those weren't bad because everyone like to watch others make it through. Hardly a dull moment during the two days on the trails.

You mentioned "remote" terrain. Being on the island adds to the remote feeling of this one. You definitely get the feeling that life is a little different out there.

Good to know! I figured groups would be larger than that because a video from 2019 had ~100 Jeeps total at the Jamboree. Makes sense to break them down into smaller groups based on the build and experience of the driver.

Can’t wait to get back up to northern Michigan! I have a good friend who lives in Petoskey that is tagging along with me and I’m extremely jealous of the lifestyle up there.

 

[Dale's Jeep]

I just added myself to the waiting list.

 

[Shibadog]

Nice place to visit. As noted, a winch and self recovery equipment is a must if you “go it alone”

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