I first experienced Easter Jeep Safari in 2007, when we drove down from Salt Lake City and spent a long weekend participating in trail rides. At that time, and for many years after, I did participate, and later lead trails, in my Jeep Wrangler. Now, living in Moab, I have attended most of the Safaris since. I also had several friends who did not own Jeeps. In fact, they even led some of the most difficult trails in Moab, in vehicles like Suzuki Samurais, Toyota Tacomas, and Land Rover Defenders.
Why then call it Jeep Safari? There are many other events that are put forward that do focus on a specific manufacturer and for the most part, only have those types of vehicles. I have heard Bronco owners refer to Easter Jeep Safari as a Jeep event, though many websites that reference the history of EJS (Easter Jeep Safari) specifically state that it is not reserved to a specific vehicle type but does restrict participation by motorcycles, ATVs, and UTVs. It also requires that vehicles be street legal and safe to operate in Utah.
From my research, the first EJS took place in 1967, and was sponsored by the Moab Chamber of Commerce. The first trail was “Behind the Rocks”; I’m assuming the quotes are around the trail name because over time, the trail has varied into the route used today. The next year, Moab Rim was added to the list, and the one-day event was held on the Saturday before Easter. If you wanted to go on the trail ride, you simply showed up and signed up, no fee. When I first started attending EJS, I heard the stories about the airplanes that would drop ice cream down on the groups having lunch, which was an added fun twist.
The event transitioned from the Chamber of Commerce to the Red Rock 4-Wheelers club in the early 1980s because the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) started requiring land use permits. Since most off-roaders don’t want to travel for just one trail, demand for the event grew into the current 9-day event that always spans the week before Easter, with the last trails being held on Easter Sunday.
Because Easter varies each year, due to being held on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the Spring equinox, I have to rely on experts or Google to let me know when that’s going to happen. This year, the event is in March, specifically the 23 to the 31. This is definitely the shoulder season in Moab, and we can see, and have seen, everything from 80-degree days to inches of snowfall and freezing temperatures. Usually guaranteed: some windy days. Spring fronts passing through Utah deserts love to steal tents and blast vehicles with wind gusts approaching hurricane speeds, so if you come, be prepared.
What else do you need to know about EJS?
The event builds speed toward what’s known as Big Saturday, the day before Easter, when the largest crowds descend on Moab. Until a few years ago, all the trails left from town, exiting in parade fashion down main street. The police would hold up the traffic, allowing everyone to leave town while onlookers would sit on the sidewalks, cheering and waving at all the vehicles. It is estimated that over 20,000 off-roaders are in and around Moab during this time, exceeding the population of just over 5,000 by four times. When you come to Moab, have a little mercy on those folks trying to get to work and the store. Keep down the party noise at your rental house and use a little kindness for those who are worn thin by all the revelry.
There is also a large vendor show held at the Spanish Valley Arena, about 4 miles south of town. On Thursday and Friday before Easter, around 150 vendors set up inside and outside the arena, offering pretty much anything an off-road enthusiast would desire. Typically, you can also take advantage of special deals that only happen during EJS.
If you attend a RR4W trail run, you also receive a raffle ticket, and can buy additional tickets for $50 each. The raffle ticket gets filled out by you and goes into a barrel for drawings on Friday night, beginning at 6:30pm in the arena. You must be present to win but the prizes are epic and plentiful, often exceeding $250,000 in total. Insider’s hint: if you go, bring a lawn chair as the bleacher seats are packed and uncomfortable.
What types of trails are out there?
The Red Rock 4 Wheelers club has transitioned to a 1-10 difficulty level trail rating. You can learn more about what that means, and more about the event in general, here.
Some of the most epic trails travel over what’s known as slickrock, which is simply miles and miles of sandstone. Supposedly named because iron horseshoes and iron wagon wheels could not find traction on the steep hills, tires and modern hiking shoes stick like magic, making the off-roading seem like defying gravity.
The best slickrock trails in the world are in Moab, and you’re missing out on the experience if you don’t run trails like Fins ‘N Things, Hell’s Revenge, Moab Rim, or 7 Mile Rim, just to name a few.
Here’s a link to the 2024 Easter Jeep Safari magazine so you can learn more about what trails are being run and when.
Bronco Basecamp at EJS 2024!
Bronco Nation will be hosting a Bronco Basecamp in Moab during EJS, March 28-30, on the grounds of Bronco Off-Roadeo Moab. If you’d like to experience this off-roading destination, but with only Bronco owners, plus expert local guides who will plan trails to do away from the crowds, come out and join us! You can read more about this Basecamp in “Registration Open for Bronco Basecamp in Moab 2024” or head directly to sign up in the Bronco Nation store.
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