The Rocky Mountain Jamboree is different. Jamboree headquarters are in Richfield and are surrounded by the largest OHV trail system in the nation – The Paiute ATV Trail System. Many of the rides offered are found on the Paiute map, but reviewing the trail descriptions, I found that some are on other OHV trail systems – the San Rafael Swell trails, the Paunsaugunt Trails, the Arapeen Trails, the Cricket Mountain Trails and trails in Wayne County. So, an advantage of this jamboree is that it covers a lot of territory.

Another difference is that this jamboree offers more 50-inch trail rides than any other. In fact, of the 75 rides offered, 26 of them are restricted to machines no wider than 50 inches. Three rides are slated as night rides where extra light accessories are helpful. Nine of the rides include lunch from a variety of sponsors. 

Eight of the rides are new to the roster this year. One is labeled, “The Earth Quake Ride.” OHV trails cross several fault lines in central Utah. This ride is designed to show off some of the geological formations created by the Pahvant seismic system. Another one sponsored by Big O Tires requires machines to be at least 60 inches wide and sport tires not less than 30 inches high. Another is a poker run.

This year’s Rocky Mountain Jamboree will be held from Sept. 16-20 and registration will close on Sept. 1 at 5 p.m. There is no cap on this event because they offer so many rides. There is even an “early bird” ride on Saturday, Sept. 14, before the jamboree starts. This ride leaves from the Richfield Fairgrounds at 10 a.m. Early credential pick-up will be on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m.

Lynn Blamires, Special to the Standard-Examiner

Registration includes five days of guided rides, one T-shirt and one swag bag per registered rider, four days of continental breakfasts, tickets to the closing banquet dinner, eligibility for prize raffles each morning and entry into a raffle for a UTV. This is one advantage of attending a large jamboree – smaller events don’t have enough participants to offer such a large prize. You can register at https://www.sevierutah.net. The fee is $150 per person. Every OHV rider is required to take an education course regardless of age. There is a link to the course on the website.

Credentials will be available to pick up at 7 a.m. Monday followed by opening ceremonies at 8 a.m., including prize drawings. Guided rides start at 9 a.m. on the first day and 8:30 a.m. each of the following days.

Bonus features on Monday night include a Farmer’s Market, a Food Truck Roundup at 5 p.m., and a “Get Your Glow On” Light Parade on Main Street at 8 p.m. Each machine will be provided with some glow sticks to throw out. Closing ceremonies with the final prize drawings will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday.

The Rocky Mountain Jamboree has been featuring a GPS ride each year. Last year, it was a murder mystery. This year, it is a story ride about a rider that misses the ride on the first day of the Jamboree.  The story will be missing the names of the characters they meet along the way and GPS coordinates will help identify who is who with names carved into trees on the mountain. The ride is self-guided and rated intermediate. Since there are no leaders, riders can go in small groups. No one should ride alone. Once riders have filled in the names on the sheets provided, they are dropped off at the information booth in the park. This will enter the rider into a special prize drawing.

The ride descriptions are listed on the website. I have read through each one and it was like I was on each ride. I have spent many days on the Paiute and many of those trails are familiar. It is one of my favorite trail systems. When you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down and sign up for the Rocky Mountain ATV/UTV Jamboree in Richfield.

Lynn Blamires, Special to the Standard-Examiner

Contact Lynn R. Blamires at quadmanone@gmail.com.