As the New Year rolls in, many of us start thinking about resolutions. While others may focus on fitness or career goals, this year, why not resolve to hit more off-roading trails in your Ford Bronco or Bronco Sport? 2025 is the perfect time to explore the great outdoors, conquer rugged terrains, and bond with fellow enthusiasts. Here are some ways to make your off-roading dreams a reality with a bit of winter planning:
1. Join an Off-Roading Club
One of the best ways to stay motivated and connected is by finding and joining an off-roading club. These groups are full of like-minded adventurers who make getting into this hobby fun and supportive, they typically regularly organize trail rides, and you’ll be surprised on how quickly you can form friendships. There are lots of Bronco clubs out there that I’m a part of, even if I can’t regularly attend because of geography. Don’t worry if you’re a Sport owner, many clubs are open and regularly host trails suitable for all Broncos.
How to Start: Check out Bronco Nation’s new club page. Quick note to you club leaders out there, get your club listed and help grow this page. If you don’t see your club here, many clubs also have Facebook groups or forums where you can connect with members.
2. Attend an Off-Roading Event
Kick off your resolution with putting an event on your calendar. Many great gatherings like a Super Celebration are designed for Bronco and Bronco Sport owners to meet, explore trails together, and enjoy vendor expos showcasing the latest gear and mods.
As the year develops, you can find many events listed on the Bronco Nation event calendar but Becky recently put out an event article that offers a comprehensive list with dates.
Brian and I are putting together our list right now, but we are definitely attending King of the Hammers and Easter Jeep Safari. Seeing those dates on the calendar adds to the excitement and we can spend long winter days dreaming about our trail rides.
3. Research Local Trails and Parks
Winter is the perfect time to research trails and off-roading parks near you. Whether you prefer rocky mountain passes, sandy dunes, or muddy forest trails, there’s something for every Bronco driver. I personally love to find a trail using one of the formats below and then do further research to look at the trail geography and obstacles using Google Earth or finding YouTube videos.
- How to Find Trails:
- Use apps like Gaia to locate routes. Confirm the level of difficulty, especially if using apps that rely on user input to determine.
- Check forums and social media for recommendations from local off-roaders.
- Visit state, BLM, or national park websites to see which ones allow off-roading and to download maps.
Create a list of must-visit locations and start planning weekend trips for the year ahead.
4. Plan a Destination Trip
For many off-roaders, a bucket-list trip to iconic destinations like Moab, Utah, is a rite of passage. The challenging terrain, stunning landscapes, and legendary trails make it worth the journey.
- Destination Ideas:
- Moab-Iconic trails include Hell’s Revenge and Poison Spider but there are so many great trails and areas to explore, including off-roading possibilities in 2 National Parks. Maybe combining it with a visit to Bronco Off-Roadeo?
- Ouray or Silverton, Colorado-Imogene Pass, Black Bear Pass, Cinnamon Pass and many others. These high elevation trails are historic roads into U.S. mining history and are beyond scenic. The season is short because of the snowpack, many roads don’t open until late July and can be crowded. I recommend visiting after Labor Day.
- Rubicon Trail in California’s Sierra Nevada. This is on my bucket list and also has a shorter season due to snow.
- Death Valley Area-I list this as a greater region than just the National Park as there is so much off-roading nearby but Death Valley trails are some of my personal favorites outside of Moab. Trips to the Racetrack, Tea Kettle Junction, and Titus Canyon hang on our walls at home.
- Imperial Sand dunes in Glamis, California-This incredible sand dune complex has to be seen to be believed and is one spot you do not want to visit during the summer months where temperatures can soar to 115 degrees or more.
A destination trip can be the highlight of your off-roading year. Last year, Brian and I budgeted and planned to go on a trip to Baja, Mexico which had been on our bucket list. We had such a great time; we’re going again in 2025!
5. Put It on the Calendar
Sometimes the simplest step is the most effective: schedule your adventures. Block out weekends or holidays specifically for off-roading. Even if it’s just a day trip to a nearby trail, penciling it in ensures you’ll make time for your resolution.
Share your plans with friends or fellow club members. Committing to a group outing makes you less likely to cancel. Brian and I have a large wall calendar we put our events on.
See You On The Trail
Making off-roading your New Year’s resolution is about more than just hitting trails; it’s about embracing adventure, pushing your limits, and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow Bronco enthusiasts. With a bit of planning this winter, you can set yourself up for a year of unforgettable experiences in your Bronco or Bronco Sport. You’ll be stunned at how it can change your life. It completely changed mine, and I have lots of friends out there that I only know because of off-roading.
This is my resolution for 2025, and I know I’ll see many of you out there on the trails. Let’s make this the year we tick off some new trails, explore breathtaking scenery, tackle some new obstacles, and create lasting memories and friendships. Happy New Year, and here’s to the journey ahead!
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