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ATV Adventures: The 11th annual Outlaw ATV Jamboree opens Saturday

By Lynn Blamires - Special to the Standard-Examiner | Jan 30, 2025

Lynn Blamires, Special to the Standard-Examiner

Julius Reservoir is situated high in the Uintas on the "Ride to Paradise" trail.

The Outlaw Jamboree in Vernal is a premier event for the ATV community in Utah. Registration will open on Saturday, and slots will fill up fast. Why? Because this is the only jamboree on the east side of the state, the scenery is amazing, the choice of rides will please everyone and there is more bang for your buck.

That is a mouthful, but let me explain. Utah has an amazing diversity of scenery. Each jamboree showcases a section of its unique scenery in the best way possible – on backcountry trails. Vernal has outlaw history and places where the dinosaurs played – 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 that you won’t soon forget?

I saved the bang for the buck for last because it is more fun when it is a bargain. When you sign up for the Vernal Outlaw Jamboree, you get three hot breakfasts, two full dinners, a one-of-a-kind jamboree T-shirt, a bag of swag (read free stuff), entrees into drawings for more exciting free stuff, three days of guided rides and memories to last a lifetime all for $125.

The opening gun goes off on Saturday, and the dates are set for May 28-31. Registration will be online at https://www.outlawatvjam.com. All rides leave Western Park. Some will leave right from town and 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 be offering special rates to jamboree participants, so be sure to mention that you are with the jamboree when you book. A list of those offering discounts will be listed when you sign up.

Lynn Blamires, Special to the Standard-Examiner

Sometimes the creek is the trail at the Outlaw ATV Jamboree.

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 a delicious gut-buster burger.

If the ride you would like to take is full, there is a self-guided ride you can take at your own pace. That ride is The Gambler. It gets its name from the fact that it is 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 one to 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. They include mining history, outlaw history and the fascinating stories of just eking out an existence in these pioneer settings. The ratings on these trails range from a comfortable three to the mild challenge of a six.

One ride I plan to take again this year is labeled 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). I like to ride where I see a little of a lot of scenery, and this ride lived up to its description. When I got to the end of that trail, my first thought was, “Man, what a ride!”

Lynn Blamires, Special to the Standard-Examiner

This creek/trail wound through the trees at the Outlaw ATV Jamboree.

I love to explore the old ghost towns of Utah, and the backcountry has many to explore. 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 is left of the Unita Railway that was there to serve them.

If you like to ride ATVs/UTVs in the backcountry and you haven’t found a reason to get excited about signing up for this event, go back to the top and read it again. When you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down and I will see you there.

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

Gathering for a break on the trail at the Outlaw ATV jamboree.

Lynn Blamires

Starting at $4.32/week.

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