by Matt Konkle
Quadratec Channel Editor
They call it the 'don't blink or you'll miss it' week.
Well, maybe not, but they should.
Because if you want to attend one of Jeep Jamboree USA's 34 events in 2020, then you need to be ready come the first week of December.
And don't blink.
JJUSA Friday published its 2020 trip release dates, and you can begin claiming a spot in the organization's first opening—the 2nd annual Snowbird in Bartow, Florida—at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, December 2nd. The Bartow event also kicks off JJSUA's 2020 schedule January 2-4. Events continue all year, nearly every weekend, through early November when they end in Death Valley, California from November 5-7.
But you'll need fast fingers and some luck—as well as a quick internet connection—to snag a place in many of these popular destination gatherings on the schedule, like Moab, Utah; Killington, Vermont; California's Rubicon Trail; Williamsburg, Kentucky; or Bethel, Maine.
That's because just about all family-friendly JJUSA events sell out within a few minutes as people have come to realize a Jamboree weekend isn't like any other off-road getaway.
Not only do you get to head out on trails at some of the best locations in the country, but trained Jamboree trail guides are around to help get everyone through as safely as possible. You can take a hard line, or easy line and no one will judge you for your decision. You also get breakfast each Jamboree morning at most events, a packed lunch for the trail and dinner when you get back. Plus, many are held on private land that you would not normally be able to ride during the year.
There is also the people, a nice mix of first- and long-timers who are great to talk with on runs and happy to offer opinion on any kind of modification or whatever advice you want.
Many events even have a sponsor raffle during the Saturday dinner as well.
JJUSA trip registration continues throughout the week of December 2, before concluding Friday, December 6 following the 1 p.m. Eastern Time Moab release date. All events are first-come, first-served availability until they sell out.
Other top JJUSA events around the country include Michigan's 28th Drummond Island, 29th Arch Canyon in Blanding, Utah, 16th Tennessee Mountains in Oak, Ridge, Tennessee, 9th Coal Mountain in Coal Township, Pennsylvania, 28th Big Bear in Big Bear Lake, California, 32nd Palo Duro in Amarillo, Texas and 25th Northwoods-Mole Lake in Crandon, Wisconsin.
JJUSA was founded in 1983 by Jeep Off-Road Hall of Fame member Mark A. Smith, and was created to bring together the outdoors, down-to-earth people, and their Jeep 4x4s. It has since grown into a year-long operation that includes 34 events, as well as things like product launches with automotive media, corporate incentive trips and marketing, advertising, video and photography shoots involving the Jeep brand.
For more information on JJUSA, check out our Jeep Jamboree USA section.