Is Jeep Jamboree worth it?

[RubiSc0tt]

i couldn't find any specific discussions on it, so I figured I would ask here:

Is Jeep Jamboree worth it as someone who is an experienced off roader in a non-so-friendly-off-roading-area? I'm active in a good local off road club. We have one ride a month at least and it isn't "duck duck jeep on the beach drive down a dirt forest road" type of rides/ events. Some are easy trails, some are like the ones in my profile picture. I have years of seat time and a built JLUR on 37's I'm willing to drive. Our trails are a mix of private property and public trails and forest roads in the Northeast.

Looking at the Jeep Jamboree website, there are 2 events in my area of upstate NY. Both area about ~2 hours from me.

• Pros: You get to wheel properties you don't otherwise have access to. These are both private properties that are only opened up for Jamboree, one is returning after a long hiatus and there is already a wait list.
• Cons:The cost. For my entire family (2 adults, 2 kids) it's like $1100, without lodging and only getting dinner, sometimes lunch on the trail.

Normally, I would not even consider this. But the allure of getting to wheel exclusive property has my interest peaked.

Has anyone been to these before? What else do you get? Is there anything cool that I'm missing in my assessment?

Sponsored

 

[Turniipp]

I am a fan of Jeep Jamborees. I live in Utah and have plentiful access to the most amazing wheeling, scenery, clubs, etc... However, I have thoroughly enjoyed travelling to Jamboree's and wheeling other states trails with guides, food, and fun.

I have done multiple jamborees and will continue to do them. Not because of a lack of experience, nor due to a lack of access to trails. I enjoy the community, the access to trails I may not even be aware of, and the opportunity to travel. I always wheel the hardest trails, so I'm not doing it for the scenery. I have been to California, Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Wyoming, and Colorado for Jamborees and plan on hitting Texas next year. They aren't cheap, but I generally only go with the wife.

I do know they offer family rates, so I'm not sure if your $1,100 is for both jamborees (combined) or if your calculations are based on the individual rates vs family rate.

The Jamborees are full of like-minded enthusiasts and I've made some good friends with others from across the country by participating. I've learned a thing or two while tackling the toughest trails many of these states have to offer. You mentioned the private access component, and it's no joke. I went to one called Arch Canyon in Blanding, Utah and they had access onto an Indian Reservation and we had the opportunity to see ruins the public does not have access to.

 

[yokramer]

If you are new to wheeling or dont have friends that wheel I can see them being good for both learning and the ability to travel to visit destinations you may not do otherwise. On the other hand they are VERY expensive for what you get to me.

Im lucky my dad also had a JL before me and convinced me to get one rather than the Taco I had a deposit on when my Xterra started to die. Since then the 2 of us have done Windrock, Uwharrie, Stoney Lonesome, Hawk Pride, Land Between the Lakes, and this last fall Moab (with some other members from here that I have become good friends with). With plans next year to do the Rubicon.

In between all of that I either explored the backwoods of NC/SC by myself or with a few buddies back east, or now CO with a few members that live here or again on my own.

It helps that the Wife and I love to explore and camp on our own and with the move to Colorado we have the space to do so.

 

[Ratbert]

I did Jeep Jamboree Moab back when I only had about a year and a half of rock crawling experience. It was definitely worth it, but I'm thinking it was about $400 for the two of us. And it was on the absolutely mind-blowing trails around Moab.

 

[yokramer]

I did Jeep Jamboree Moab back when I only had about a year and a half of rock crawling experience. It was definitely worth it, but I'm thinking it was about $400 for the two of us. And it was on the absolutely mind-blowing trails around Moab.

I cant wait to get back out there for a few long weekends this year and explore the area that isnt the major trails

 

[grimmjeeper]

I did a Jamboree trip for the Rubicon Trail even though I've been Jeeping for over 20 years.

It was nice to have all of the trip planned with good spotters. And the food being prepared for us was nice.

I probably wouldn't do another one. They were herding a large number of Jeeps through and we couldn't explore the really fun lines on the obstacles. A smaller group going at our own pace and on the obstacles we want to take would be more fun.

 

[Ratbert]

I did a Jamboree trip for the Rubicon Trail even though I've been Jeeping for over 20 years.

It was nice to have all of the trip planned with good spotters. And the food being prepared for us was nice.

I probably wouldn't do another one. They were herding a large number of Jeeps through and we couldn't explore the really fun lines on the obstacles. A smaller group going at our own pace and on the obstacles we want to take would be more fun.

I did that too, but with the version where there were only six of us plus three guides. That was an absolute blast, but I fear to see how expensive it is now.

 

[No Spark V6]

When I first got my jeep a did quite a few, now I keep it to 1 per year and I choose one that is on private land I wouldn't otherwise be able to go to and the rest of the year I plan my own trips to public places.

You meet some cool people and see a lot of different products installed on people's Jeeps and you can ask their opinions.

If you're looking for the best bang for your buck, Jeep Jamboree isn't it.

 

[BAKNBLK]

Jeep Jamboree is to restrictive on mods and conditions. Jeepers Jamboree is the only event I go on.

 

[lindaspins]

We have enjoyed them over the years- they're a great way to get your feet wet as newbies, and later, we had the opportunity to be trail guides for several years.
I can't begin to express how much joy it gave me to help folks gain confidence in themselves and their Jeeps as a VERY a-typical TG (female, pudgy, over 40!).
Even at the larger Jamborees there's great community. Everyone can get something different from the experience- for some it's the community, for others the opportunity to wheel private lands, for others a chance to stretch their skills in a fairly safe environment.
For us, it has been worth it, and I do recommend it.

 

[Ratbert]

Jeep Jamboree is to restrictive on mods and conditions. Jeepers Jamboree is the only event I go on.

Have they increased their restrictions? When I've done events with them they didn't allow 40s+ and required a spare. That's not "to restrictive" in my book.

 

[yokramer]

Have they increased their restrictions? When I've done events with them they didn't allow 40s+ and required a spare. That's not "to restrictive" in my book.

Hot Springs in Arkansas doesnt seem like it would need a locker especially since they dont require it for the Windrock trip

The Rubicon trip seems excessive

 

[DWJL]

I did the Catskills adventure academy. They may allow you to camp on site

 

[grimmjeeper]

Hot Springs in Arkansas doesnt seem like it would need a locker especially since they dont require it for the Windrock trip

The Rubicon trip seems excessive

Given the number of people in these events, they want Jeeps that can easily tackle the obstacles, even with inexperienced drivers. So they set the bar way higher than it needs to be because so many people have over built Jeeps.

Easter Jeep Safari does the same thing.

It's not hard to run the Rubicon in a decently built XJ on 33s. But if you let them in, every toothless redneck with a hoopty ass POS will show up. So they put an arbitrary limit that is easy to enforce.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

I do know they offer family rates, so I'm not sure if your $1,100 is for both jamborees (combined) or if your calculations are based on the individual rates vs family rate.

I was going based on the fee schedule posted on the event page, although I missed the part under 9 is free. that does change things a bit.

[/QUOTE]

I probably wouldn't do another one. They were herding a large number of Jeeps through and we couldn't explore the really fun lines on the obstacles. A smaller group going at our own pace and on the obstacles we want to take would be more fun.

That's my worry, I would prefer a smaller group.

We have enjoyed them over the years- they're a great way to get your feet wet as newbies, and later, we had the opportunity to be trail guides for several years.
I can't begin to express how much joy it gave me to help folks gain confidence in themselves and their Jeeps as a VERY a-typical TG (female, pudgy, over 40!).
Even at the larger Jamborees there's great community. Everyone can get something different from the experience- for some it's the community, for others the opportunity to wheel private lands, for others a chance to stretch their skills in a fairly safe environment.
For us, it has been worth it, and I do recommend it.

I've got a really good off road club I wheel with regularly. For me, in this case, it would 100% be to wheel exclusive property with different people.

Side note: I did an event a few years back as a trail guide and I loved it. 100% get it. I got to talk to people who were rookies as I was airing up their tires with my little compressor, and talked to some people who were out wheeling with one of the first 4xe Rubis, as well as some teenager from NJ and her older mechanic brother who were up from NJ with her first Jeep, and first car.

I did the Catskills adventure academy. They may allow you to camp on site

Camping is currently a no go for some slight health reasons.

But if you let them in, every toothless redneck with a hoopty ass POS will show up. So they put an arbitrary limit that is easy to enforce.

This is 100% the crowd at almost any local "open" event around here. My offroad club did some of this with a local dealer YEARS ago and some of the shit I saw that made it through Tech inspection was mind blowing.

Highlights:

• TJ on 35" Super swampers... with a Dana 35 rear AND stock brake lines. He blew a brake line on the trail.
• 94 2 door XJ: 4 cylinder, 5 speed... with BALD TSLs. He and the Rev limiter were had a very close personal relationship.

This is all good info. Curious what others have to say as well.

Sponsored