Mother Nature's Off-Road Playground — And So Much More

The place simply emerges out of the desolate southeastern Utah desert, cut in half by US Highway 191 and surrounded east and west by red rock cliffs, while bordered on the north by the Colorado River. For the uninitiated, it probably would look just like some other getaway town near a national park. Something filled with mountain bike shops, rafting companies, tourist stores and other requisite establishments. But to those who have done their research, those who know its history (both off-road, movie and environmental) well, they know something different.

They know a place perfect for motorized or foot-powered recreation, climbers, river rafters, photography buffs and pretty much everyone who loves inhaling fresh air and devouring adrenaline.

Television shows and movies you've no doubt heard of were shot here. Vast pockets of uranium were discovered and mined for decades. Untold populations of ancient civilizations flourished and left petroglyphs throughout the area. Dinosaurs once roamed free, leaving footprints that can still be found today.

And, of course, scores upon scores of off-road trails that are arguably the country's best.

Moab, Utah.

For many who enjoy off-road recreation, it is also a location that lustfully calls out for attention this time of year, beckoning to be explored once again during the long week leading up to Easter. Whispering trail names like Hells Revenge, Moab Rim, Pritchett Canyon and Top of the World like some sort of siren crying out to passing sailors.

For decades, off-road enthusiasts from across the globe have come to this tiny hamlet of just over 5,000 souls to experience these iconic trails, making it a living, breathing adventure park filled only with the toughest of challenges designed to elicit the best out of everyone who makes the attempt.

This year, the 58th annual EJS is set for March 23-31 and Quadratec, once again, will make the trip west to Moab, providing daily coverage from several different trails as well as life in the town and the surrounding area. We’ll also be partnering with Tread Lightly! and taking our Gladiator JTe, once again, to some trail cleanup spots, as well as testing its strength on the trail. Throughout the week, we'll be spending time with some great vendor partners like Oracle Lighting, Power Tank, Truck Hero, Armorlite, and many others because, well, it is Moab, after all, and you are only a short drive away from an impromptu trail run at any time day or night.

Of course, what would EJS be without the presence of Jeep and its great concept vehicle lineup? Traditionally, Jeep rolls these things into its headquarters for the week at Walker Drug's parking lot — right in the center of town — on Wednesday of EJS week, and we'll definitely be there to provide comprehensive live walkarounds of these one-off vehicles, photos and interviews with Jeep designers. Sure, the majority of these will never see an assembly line, but Jeep loves to show off new Mopar products and these concepts often include design cues that later find their way into production vehicles as well.

This year’s crop will, once again, feature electrification and (hopefully) we'll get to see a Gladiator 4xe mixed in with the group.

Finally, no Moab EJS would be complete without discovering some unexpected story or trail ride experience. It just seems to happen in that Utah desert where rocks are red and chirps of aired-down tires echo through the wind. Anything can happen in Moab — and usually does — so stay with us all Easter Jeep Safari week for original, exclusive content you won't find anywhere else.