Each year there are dozens of festivals designed just for ATV and Side x Side riders and their families. It’s the chance to spend time with friends, to make new friends, and to experience great riding. Here’s our list of some of the best. Hopefully we’ll see you there!
Rally on the Rocks UTV/ Side X Side Ride by Arctic Cat
May 16-19, Moab, UT
One of the most beautiful, challenging, and interesting places we’ve ever ridden is MOAB, Utah. It’s practically a Mecca in the off-road world, and it’s no surprise a major rally is planned there.
The Rally on the Rocks Side x Side ride by Arctic Cat offers daily guided rides on trials that range from casual and beginner friendly, to demanding even for the experienced rider. This year vendor’s row is bigger than ever and there are catered dinners, prize raffles, contests, demo rides, great music, and scenery you will never forget. We never will!
Online registration is now open but it is also possible to register at the event. For more info you can email either: Lanse@rallyontherocks.com or jared@rallyontherocks.com.
Hurley Memorial Day Weekend Ride and Fall Pumpkin Ride
May 24-28, Hurley, WI
The ATV festival organizers of Hurley, Wisconsin like to say “Where Highway 51 ends the fun begins”. They ought to know; they’ve been sponsoring an ATV festival there for 27 years, and tens of thousands of riders have enjoyed the area.
The Hurley / Iron County area features over 200 miles of ATV trails with pleasant riding through the woods, many waterfalls to explore, and great small town nightlife. The Hurley area also offers a wide range of lodging options from comfy, northern cabins, to historic bed & breakfast inns, hotels, fully equipped condos, chalets and rental homes. You’ll be at home in Hurley.
The Hurley ride is also unique in that the town of Mercer is also included in the festivities, and it’s possible to register for the event at either location. Since fall is also premium riding season in the North, the 10th Annual Pumpkin Run ATV Rally is scheduled for October 4-7. Visit Hurley, ride to the shores of Lake Superior, and wish you were here the rest of the year.
www.hurleywi.com 715-561-4334
Brimestone White Knuckle Event and Side-x-Side Roundup
May 25-28, and Sept. 2-4, Huntsville, TN
Brimstone Recreation is a place we keep coming back to. It’s a great place to ride any time of the year, but nobody does more to entertain their guests than Erika and her crew at Brimstone. For the past several years they have hosted a Memorial weekend “White Knuckle Event”, and the festivities go far beyond the riding. Expect all types of ATV & UTV fun, plenty of family activities, and an evening capped off by a nationally recognized, country music recording artist. It’s a big time concert in the hills of Brimstone, and we promise you will have a great time. We always do.
Brimstones also hosts a major jamboree with their Labor Day weekend Side x Side Roundup, and once again it is capped by a major concert, but events are geared more towards UTV & Side x Side riders. All are welcome however, and the entire community of Huntsville has always been extremely friendly to us. Brimstone Recreation has several fantastic rental cabins on site as well as camping with full hookups, but the local community offers plenty of lodging, restaurants, dealers, and stores for whatever you need as well. We’ll see you there! For more info please visit:
www.brimstonerecreation.com 1-800-BRIMSTONE
NOHVA Summer Jamboree Sponsored by Yamaha
June 8-10, Genoa, Nebraska
Since 1987, Nebraska's recreational ATV and off-road motorcycle users have joined the Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association (NOHVA) to have fun and find new places to ride. In that time NOHVA has become one of the largest recreational ATV, dirtbike and UTV organizations in the Central United States serving over 2,900 members.
This year marks their 39th Jamboree which will be held June 8th, 9th and 10th at the Headworks OHV Park, three miles west of Genoa Nebraska. The Jamboree is a fund raising event to help pay operating expenses at public ATV and dirtbike parks and trails in Nebraska, and benefit local emergency and medical services in Nance County. The event is open to ATVs and UTVs under 65 inches wide and dirtbikes.
ATV, UTVs and dirtbike riders 18 years old and older are welcome to attend, but all those participating or spectating at the event must have an event pass. Event passes are sold at the Jamboree. Jamboree events include a parade into Genoa, kids barrel racing, sand drags, a mud bog, timed events, raffles, and evening bonfires. It will be a great time with friends and family!
Eastern Sierra ATV & UTV Jamboree
June 12-16, Coleville / Walker, CA
California has just about every type of riding you could want, but only one major jamboree. The Eastern Sierra ATV & UTV Jamboree is the chance to enjoy 4 fun-filled days of guided trail rides into and through some of the most beautiful country ever created. All rides are headed up by knowledgeable guides, and along the way you’ll experience great riding but also learn a little of the area history. You’ll also want to bring your camera for the many photo opportunities, but with or without a camera it’s a once in a lifetime adventure you’ll never forget.
The Eastern Sierra ATV & UTV Jamboree originates in Walker/Coleville, California which is located in Northern Mono County, on the eastern side of the Sierra. The rides take place on a combination of public lands, US Forest and BLM managed property. The festival is held at the Antelope Valley Fire Station in Coleville. All rides take place in the nearby Toiyabe National Forest and there is a limit of 200 registered riders. Our advice is to register early. Registration includes:
- A full breakfast each morning
- Chance to win prizes at Tuesday night's BBQ & Ice Cream Social
- 4 days of guided trail rides
- Dinner on Saturday evening
- Trail T-Shirt
- Goodie bag and an entry into Saturday's big raffle.
www.easternsierraatvjamboree.com 530-208-6078
Hatfield-McCoy Dirt Days
June 13-17, Park-Logan, West Virginia
The most famous trail system in the country is the Hatfield-McCoy system. It’s actually its own corporation! Dirt Days is Hatfield McCoy’s summer festival of dirty fun, and besides the awesome riding on each of Hatfield McCoy’s seven trail systems the festivities will include scavenger hunts, drag races, a mud pit, a wheelie contest, plenty of giveaways, and even a poker tournament. For the kids there will plenty to do as well, but they’ve got their own events too with fishing and miniature golf. Just like the rest of the Hatfield-McCoy system there is something for everyone at Dirt Days!
www.thunderblastonline.com 304-752-0102
Burning Rock - Thrills in the Hills Jamboree
June 15-17, Sophia, WV
Consider Burning Rock an Off-Road Adventure Park. They’ve got 8000 acres of riding with trails designed and marked for riders of all skills levels, and they’ll even teach you to ride if you’re a beginner. Nestled in the New River Gorge, the terrain includes mud holes, logs, ravines, ridgelines, climbs, rocks and more. They’ve really thought of everything you could possibly need to make your stay a fantastic family adventure, and amenities include:
- General Store
- dual-racing zip line
- ample trailor parking
- campground with tent & full-hookup RV sites
- cabins
- showers & restrooms
Should you need a break from the trail they’ll also fix you up with whitewater rafting, rock climbing, a coal mine tour, zip lines, etc.
Burning Rock's signature summer event, the THRILLS IN THE HILLS OFF-ROAD JAMBOREE, is three days of adrenaline packed off-road fun, activities, music, food, and camaraderie for the whole family. As they like to say, it’s mom-approved, muddy-and-proud-of-it fun.
www.burningrockwv.com toll free: 877-683-9240
High Mountain ATV Jamboree
Monday, July 16 through Saturday, July 21, Wallace, ID
It’s hard to beat Idaho for beautiful mountain riding, and the High Mountain ATV Association of Wallace, Idaho would love to show you their home trails in the Bitterroot Mountains.
The High Mountain Jamboree is a week long festival of all things off-road, with 4-6 guided rides to choose from each day, Monday through Friday. Rides are set up according to three levels of difficulty and are rated as easy, moderate or advanced. The difference between different levels is determined by the terrain, steepness, obstacles, distance, and even snow!
Besides the awesome riding with unparalleled scenic views, there is a parade, plenty of food every day, potluck dinners, games, and even a rodeo. There are thousands of miles of access to Forest Service, BLM, and private land, and the area is deep-rooted in the mining, logging and railroading industries. Without a doubt it’s some of the greatest ATV riding available in the Northwest, or anywhere else.
www.highmountainatv.org PHONE: 208.512.2269
Sandfest
July 18-22, North Bend, OR
One of the countries original ATV jamborees was simply called SANDFEST, and that pretty much sums up what it is all about. Today SANDFEST is five days of gritty fun at the Riley Ranch County Park in North Bend, Oregon.
The event is family friendly and includes the Sand Dune Slip-N-Slide, Side x Side Racing, Girls Exhibition Race, the 3-Wheeler Regatta, a Poker Run, plus nightly music and more. If you want to experience one of the original festivals this would be one to check out.
Jericho ATV Festival
July 27 & 28, Jericho Mountain State Park, Berlin, NH
ATV and Side x Side jamboree’s are far less common in New England than in the wide open spaces of the west, but the town of Berlin, New Hampshire plays host to the Jericho ATV Festival at the end of July. Riding takes place on the Jericho Mountain State Park which covers 7500 acres and features trails for riders of all skill levels. The Green trails (20% of the total) are considered very easy and recommended for all users. Blue trails (70% of the total) are designed and constructed in areas where a standard road vehicle could not pass. These trails wind through wooded areas by following old, existing logging roads. Black trails are still in development but will be for experienced riders with obstacles such as rock climbs, boulder fields, stumps and sharp turns, often times in combination with steep slopes. All the trails provide endless loops through forest, over streams, and past Jericho Lake, with many scenic outlooks and mountaintop picnic pavilions. Park guests can also enjoy swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking or picnicking at Jericho Lake.
Festival participants can expect plenty of action beginning with Jericho Mud Races, some good natured fun with a Grudge Runs on Sunday, and much more!
Oregon Dunefest
August 1-5, Reedsport, OR
Miles of sand, huge dunes, and incredible views of Oregon’s natural beauty make the Reedsport / Winchester Bay dunes one of our favorite places to ride anywhere. We’re not the only ones, and the OREGON DUNEFEST has become one of the premier ATV and Side x Side events in the country for sand lovers. The event has also won an award as "The Best Sporting Event in Oregon" and features five days of activities for the entire family including Moto Cross Racing, Sand Drags, Poker Runs, Treasure Hunts, Show N’ Shine, Drive-In Movie Night, Charity Auctions, Freestyle Shows, and evening entertainment with live bands and plenty of food. There are also Vendors with every part and accessory you could need.
DuneFest also offers a kid’s safe ATV riding area with activities just for the milk and graham cracker crowd. As the Reedsport people like to say, it’s "THE MOST FUN A FAMILY CAN HAVE IN THE SAND". See you there!
www.dunefest.com 800-247-2155
St. Helen Jamboree
August 10th, 11th and 12th, St. Helen, Michigan
The town of St. Helen, Michigan and a new club called the St. Helen DirtPackers have been working together to bring riders the 4th annual St. Helen Jamboree. The weekend of activities are family friendly with entertainment, contests, prizes, and plenty of great trail riding. The area is also known as a friendly vacation spot and there are many local cabins, campgrounds, hotels, and places to stay, and activities for the family to enjoy. We’ll be there!
www.sainthelenchamber.net 989-389-3725
Rocky Mountain ATV Jamboree
Sept 17-21, Richfield, UT
One of the longest running ATV and Side x Side festivals is the Rocky Mountain ATV / UTV Jamboree. This will mark the 20th anniversary of the event which is organized around five days of guided rides onto the Paiute and Gooseberry trail systems, with dinners, prize giveaways, and the opportunity to meet ATV and UTV enthusiasts from around the United States. The event will be held September 17th through 21st in Richfield, Utah. We’ve been riding there and we can’t wait to head back! 
Registration for the 2012 Jamboree is open now. For more information about the event, or to register, visit the Rocky Mountain ATV / UTV Jamboree website. They’ve got a complete schedule posted with plenty of info on everything from where to stay to where to buy parts.
www.atvjam.com contact via e-mail at atvjam@juno.com or 1-877-47-EVENT.
Hatfield-McCoy National Trailfest
October 4 - 8, Gilbert, WV
Practically every day riding the Hatfield McCoy system is a reason to celebrate, but their premier ATV and UTV event of the year is the National Trailfest. As if the trails didn’t offer enough already, the Hatfield-McCoy National Trailfest includes a mud run, three nights of live music, factory demo rides, a poker run, an ATV and UTV costume parade, nightly drag racing, and plenty more. There is also riding for the kids, and even a Casino night with a live auction for prizes. You’ll never run out of things to do at the National Trailfest.
www.nationaltrailfest.com 1-800-592-2217
Utah – Jamboree Heaven
Rotating jamborees all summer
No state can hold a candle to Utah when it comes to jamborees. It’s possible to ride a different jamboree there practically every weekend in the sumer, and from our time riding in Utah we would be more than happy to do just that. The scenery can be awesome! Pick the weekend you can go and there will be a jamboree waiting for you.
National ATV Jamboree
June 25th thru 30th, Fillmore, UT
Paiute UTV Jamboree
August 9,10,11, Marysvale, UT
Manti Scenic Mountain ATV Run
August 2-4, Manti, UT
Bryce ATV Rally
August 22-25, Panguitch, UT
Arapeen ATV Jamboree
September 3-7, Ferron, UT
San Juan ATV Safari
September 13th -15th, Blanding, UT
Rocky Mountain ATV Jamboree
Sept 17-21, Richfield, UT
Besides the festivals listed above there are quite a few other events across the country. Here are several more worth checking out, and if you know of one that you would like to add to our list just let us know and we’ll do all we can to help you promote it!
Spring Ground Poundin’
May 25-27, Hindman, KY
www.knottcountytrailriders.com
Craven Country Jam
July 12-15 Craven, Saskatchewan, Canada
Fisher’s ATV Reunion
Aug. 9-12, Patton, PA
Fall Brawl
Aug. 31-Sept. 2, Hindman. KY
www.knottcountytrailriders.com
