Attending TN Off Rodeo on 9/27/25

[danbrew]

Bought my Wildtrax last summer and have been meaning to schedule this, but it was one thing or another that came up. Booked 9/27 today. Appreciate the videos/comments/things to bring threads…

Am driving up driving up from SC. Staying at a local hotel in Alco as it was a lot cheaper than the preferred places…

Just for fun, and maybe a little attention, the coolest thing I’ve done with my Bronco is, well, I’ve gone a little crazy with accessories…. https://www.radiobum.com/threads/icom-7100-mobile-install-in-a-ford-bronco….40/

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[crzyhawk]

I went to TN in May, and had a lot of fun. My instructor was Darren and he was great. In the morning, we did a quick class where we watched a volunteer drive through a course and were given a block of instruction on techniques and features. Volunteer here to get more wheel time. After this, we picked our Broncos and went out for an easy trail. We drove out to a meadow, and got some more instruction. He had us switch drivers, and drove back to the basecamp for lunch. We assumed that the afternoon would be the same, out and back on the same path, which was not true and I ended up hogging the wheel time in the afternoon from my guest. There will be times where you're not moving while you wait for other people to do an obstacle. If you have a guest, these are good opportunities to swap drivers.

-When it's time to go pick your vehicles, move out with a purpose. If you're solo, you'll possibly not get a choice and go to the point vehicle with the instructor. If you have a guest, you'll want to pick your vehicle quickly and not get whatever is left from other people getting there first.
- Wear boots. It rained a bit while I was there, and got muddy. I'd recommend taking a poncho or something else for rain. It's better to have and not need, than to need and not have. My hiking shoes were OK, but I could easily see it being worse.
- snacks and drinks. I took some, but didn't bring gatorade bottles that would fit in the cup holders. That was dumb, so I couldn't drink them easily. There's lunch (and it was pretty solid) so if you don't bring snacks, you'll be fine. I didn't eat any of the snacks I took, but I tend to drink a lot and not bringing a bottle or cup that fit in the cupholder was a a poor plan.
- I don't remember there being a ton of bugs, but I put on bugspray anyways.
- I'd recommend long sleeves and shirts if you have them. Even if it's warm, something light would probably help.
- take a hat and shades. We spent a lot of time in the trees, but I was happy to have both.
- if you need allergy medicine (or anything else) don't forget it. I HAD allergy medicine, then forgot it in my Bronco. Be smarter than me.
- take a hoodie or jacket in case it gets cold. Again, better to have and not need, than to need and not have.
- take dry socks and shoes. If yours get wet, it could be an uncomfy ride home. I'd probably leave them and a change of clothes in my personal vehicle, but I'd want to have them.

 

[Beach_Bum]

I went to TN in May...

- snacks and drinks. I took some, but didn't bring gatorade bottles that would fit in the cup holders. That was dumb, so I couldn't drink them easily. There's lunch (and it was pretty solid) so if you don't bring snacks, you'll be fine. I didn't eat any of the snacks I took, but I tend to drink a lot and not bringing a bottle or cup that fit in the cupholder was a a poor plan.
...

Do they no longer give the YETI water bottle to registrants at check-in? I received one at Texas and Tennessee.

 

[crzyhawk]

Yes they do, but I had put all my stickers in it. Probably not the brightest of moves, and I didn't think to grab it while we were on the trail. I was pretty focused on what I was doing most of the time.

 

[Beach_Bum]

Yes they do, but I had put all my stickers in it. Probably not the brightest of moves, and I didn't think to grab it while we were on the trail. I was pretty focused on what I was doing most of the time.

That brings up the next question - Don't they have the registrants name tag on a cheap carabiner? All the stickers fit on it.

 

[Badtothebone2]

I’m going to the off rodeo in TN on 7/25 I appreciate the advice!

 

[GoHawks63]

That brings up the next question - Don't they have the registrants name tag on a cheap carabiner? All the stickers fit on it.

Yes, they did for us in Moab about a month ago.

 

[89Hokie]

Thanks for the advice! We are booked TN for Sept 19!

 

[danbrew]

Well, those few months went by quickly. Excited for my TN experience this weekend. Driving up from coastal SC on Friday.

 

[Big Betty Blue]

I'm hoping to drive down from Ohio next summer. No 2026 dates have been released yet. Any inside info as to when they'll open up? Is this something that you drive your own Bronco through or do they provide the vehicle?

 

[vrtical]

Well, those few months went by quickly. Excited for my TN experience this weekend. Driving up from coastal SC on Friday.

enjoy, we are getting a bunch of rain this week, but it should be nice for Sat.

 

[Beach_Bum]

Well, those few months went by quickly. Excited for my TN experience this weekend. Driving up from coastal SC on Friday.

Bit of advice is to bring a blanket that you can put on your hood. The parking area for guests is under a canopy of oak trees. In the fall (I was there last fall when they first opened), the acorns are falling. At first, people weren't sure what the noise was. But the acorns falling had caused some dings in a few guests hoods.

 

[dpAtlanta]

Take snacks that will not make you wish you had a restroom nearby… they do not have toilets anywhere on the trails.
I say this because they feed you lunch and dinner which is really good, but they served us Tacos for lunch. Most went light on the tacos since who knows what the tacos would do to us on the trail.
I went light on the tacos, but compensated with snacks that would not go thru me.
The guy/girl drivers behind us had a taco issue. The women had to use the woods.
I took toilet paper just in case, but fortunately never needed it.

It was a GREAT time…. You will NOT regret it………!!!!!

 

[helifino16]

That brings up the next question - Don't they have the registrants name tag on a cheap carabiner? All the stickers fit on it.

They misspelled my name on this tag - lol. I probably should cover it up with stickers.

 

[89Hokie]

We where there last week and it was great experience! Our guide was very knowledgeable and taught us to use the individual features rather than the Goat modes, which i personally liked.

There had not been rain for awhile, so it was dusty and not much mud. Agree with using bug spray, especially if it has rained this week.

If i had done this before we bought i would definitely have got the sasquatch package over our Black Diamond.

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