ATV Adventures: 12th Annual Outlaw ATV Jamboree registration opens Feb. 1
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- The Ride to Paradise takes you to the edge of Julius Reservoir at the Outlaw Jamboree in Vernal.
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- UTVs are swallowed up in a stand of aspen at the Outlaw Jamboree in Vernal.
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- One of the exciting trails at the Outlaw Jamboree in Vernal.
Vernal, Utah, has hosted the Outlaw Jamboree for 11 years, and each year gets better. Registration for number 12 opens tomorrow, February 1. If you have never been to a jamboree or can only do one this year, this is the one to do. The scenery is fantastic, the choice of rides will please everyone, and there is more bang for your buck.
Utah has a fantastic diversity of scenery. Each jamboree showcases a section of its unique scenery in the best way possible – on backcountry trails. Vernal has an outlaw history, places where dinosaurs once roamed, and ghost towns – the perfect place to launch an exploration of the backcountry. What better way to do this than with an experienced guide who knows where to go and what to show so that you won’t soon forget?
I love a good bargain, and this is a reason to sign up for the Vernal Outlaw ATV Jamboree. Registration opens at 12:01 on Sunday morning (Feb. 1) for the best selection of rides. Register early. Now, here is the bargain: For $125, you get a one-of-a-kind jamboree T-shirt, three breakfasts, two dinners, entry into the daily prize drawings, a bag of free stuff, guided trail rides, and memories for a lifetime.
Register at https://www.outlawatvjam.com.
All rides leave from the Western Park Arena, jamboree headquarters. Some will go right from town, while others require trailering, but all rides leave at 8:30 a.m. Each ride is limited to 15 machines, so there is an opportunity to get to know the other riders.
Places to stay in Vernal are plentiful, including motels, campgrounds, and RV parks. Some motels are sponsoring this event and will offer special rates to jamboree participants. The website will have a list to choose from, so be sure to mention you are with the jamboree when you book. Dining in Vernal is delightful. You can get a sunshine breakfast, a first-class steak, pizza to take to your room, tasty Thai, Italian, Mexican, or delicious gut-buster burgers.
If the ride you would like to take is full, you can take a self-guided ride at your own pace. That ride is The Gambler. It gets its name from being a poker run. One poker hand is included with your registration. Additional hands can be purchased for $5 each. The trail runs along the rim of historic Diamond Mountain and winds through cedar forests. More information is available in the ride description.
The ride descriptions also include a difficulty rating from 1 – 10. The Doc’s Beach Trail is only three miles long, but it can take up to four hours to complete because the trail requires you to crawl and not haul. It is rated a solid 10.
The historic trails appeal to me. The Butch Cassidy, the John Taylor Loop, the John Jarvie, and the Josie Morris trails fall into this category. Mining history, outlaw history, and the fascinating stories of scratching out an existence in these pioneer settings. The ratings for these trails range from a comfortable 3 to a mild challenge of 6.
A favorite ride is the Musket Shot. It is described as a “Baja race” style ride that will have you speeding below Blue Mountain to the Colorado border (like an outlaw being chased by a posse in the Wild West). When I got to the end of that trail, my first thought was, “Man, what a ride!”
I love exploring the old ghost towns of Utah, and the backcountry has many to visit. Learning about their history enriches the exploration. If this is your kind of excitement, the Rector/Dragon Trail is the one to choose. You will visit these two ghost towns and more as you discover why they existed. You will also see what remains of the Unita Railway, which served them.
One of the more popular rides is the Outlaw Range Ride Trail. This ride takes you high into the Uinta Mountains, where the views are beautiful, and pine trees whisper – adventure. This ride also includes a tour of the historic Stringham Cabin. Another of my favorites is the Ride to Paradise. The trail takes you through the Ashley National Forest to Julius Reservoir.
If you like to ride ATVs/UTVs in the backcountry, Vernal should be on your bucket list, and the Outlaw Jamboree is the one you need to join. When you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down, and I will see you there.
Lynn R. Blamires can be reached at quadmanone@gmail.com.
