ATV Adventures: Expect high adventure at the Tri-State ATV Jamboree
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- Crossing the LaVerkin River at Toquerville Falls.
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- Crossing the LaVerkin River entering the town of Toquerville.
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- Crossing the sandy trails with Toquerville in the distance.
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- Lynn Blamires
The 18th Annual Tri-State Jamboree is back and open for registration. There are more guided trails offered, but the capacity has been limited to 500 riders. The last day for registration is March 14. More trails and fewer riders are a good combination for the jamboree.
This year, the Hurricane Valley Tourism Alliance is teaming up with the Tri-State ATV Club to host the jamboree. Their combined experience will make this year’s event even better.
I have enjoyed several Tri-State jamborees and they have been lots of fun, but they were held early in March on the edge of spring when sometimes it wasn’t spring yet. This year, the dates are set for March 29 through April 1, when there is greater assurance of excellent riding weather.
This jamboree is popular because spring comes earlier to Washington County.
People who have been cooped up all winter looking at snow-covered trails are ready to get out of the cold and ride.
Fees for the jamboree are $180 per person, which will include three days of guided rides plus a night ride on Sand Mountain in Sand Hollow State Park. While the guided day rides have caps that limit the number of riders, the night ride has no cap and has become a highlight of this event — I love light bars.
The fee also includes an ice cream social, three dinners, a T-shirt and tickets for some terrific prizes. Bingo cards are included in the registration for a Bingo Night on Friday for a separate round of prizes.
Vendors are also involved in a special Poker Run. Instead of being on the trail, riders will draw cards at each vendor booth. Their poker cards will be stamped by the vendor for another round of prizes.
Liability concerns require all riders under the age of 18 to wear a helmet. Young riders ages 8-15 are not required to register but need to carry an OHV education certificate to drive on public lands.
The Tri-State Jamboree offers a variety of mountain and desert trails to give new experiences to both seasoned and novice riders. A good way to learn about new trails is to attend a jamboree. Experienced guides will show you great trails and tell you about historical events that occurred there.
Enough about the excitement of the jamboree, here is some information about the trails available to ride:
Toquerville Falls
This trail goes through the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve to the historic town site of Babylon to the Virgin River and the old Stormont Mill ruins from the silver mining days of the 1870s. Sandy trails pass through red rocks to the town of Toquerville, then to the falls on La Verkin Creek. This is one of my favorite rides. No trailering is required — this ride leaves right from jamboree headquarters.
Peek-A-Boo
Peek-A-Boo is a fun ride. It is named for the slot canyon that is visited early in the ride. The trail leads right up to the canyon, giving riders the opportunity to squeeze through and explore. One unique feature of this slot canyon is the steps that have been carved into one of the walls used by the ancient ones to access points high above. You will also notice drift wood lodged high in the canyon — a reminder of how dangerous a slot canyon can be in a flood. Two other slot canyons are featured on this ride. They are a little bit off the trail, but worth exploring.
Gold Strike
This ride reaches a maximum elevation of about 6,400 feet as the trail winds through beautiful yet rugged pinion and juniper covered mountains. There are incredible views of Beaver Dam Wash in Arizona, the Bull Valley in Utah and Clover Mountain ranges in Nevada. One of the highlights of this ride is a visit to the Gold Strike mining area and the abandoned mine pits by the Mineral Mountains.
Sand Mountain
This ride is pure fun! Once riders leave the paved road, the terrain is sand and slick rock. Lunch is often enjoyed at the “Flintstone House,” a natural rock structure resembling the prehistoric cartoon home. After signing out at the end of the ride, participants are free to ride on the sand dunes on their own.
These are but a sampling of the rides available. When combined with the other activities, this promises to be a great jamboree. When you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down, find out details and register at https://tristateatvjamboree.com.
Contact Lynn R. Blamires at quadmanone@gmail.com.