February Off-Roadeo Experience

[heydrholly]

I have a week off from work in mid-February and an airline credit that expires in April, so I figured this is the perfect excuse to finally do an Off-Roadeo.


For those of you who’ve been, which location would you recommend that time of year?


We live in New York, so I’m not really considering New Hampshire since it wouldn’t require a flight, and I’d really like to take advantage of the airline credit and turn it into a mini vacation.


I’ve actually always wanted to visit Utah’s national parks, so Moab immediately caught my eye. It seems like this could be the perfect excuse to finally make that trip. My only hesitation is the weather in mid-February and whether it’s a good choice for someone with zero off-roading experience.


I’ve never taken my Bronco off-road before, so I don’t even know what kind of off-roading I’ll eventually enjoy. My goals are really just to learn more about the vehicle, get comfortable using all its features, build some confidence, try something completely new, and have a fun vacation.


If you were in my shoes, where would you go for a first Off-Roadeo in mid-February?

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[CalvinT]

I picked Las Vegas because it had terrain that was most like what I'd be driving over. Others pick Moab for the scenery. All Off-Roadeos take in account that many new Bronco owners have never been off road.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

Moab is awesome. I did the Off-Roadeo there and it was great. Can get wintery and wet in Feb, but that’s part of the fun. The instructors are amazing and Arches Nat Park is right next door, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef and Bryce close. Utah is great, but I’m biased. (That shelf was a lot steeper than it looks!)

 

[heydrholly]

Moab is awesome. I did the Off-Roadeo there and it was great. Can get wintery and wet in Feb, but that’s part of the fun. The instructors are amazing and Arches Nat Park is right next door, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef and Bryce close. Utah is great, but I’m biased. (That shelf was a lot steeper than it looks!)

This looks phenomenal! I see you’re from Utah. Would you recommend flying into Salt Lake City making the drive or flying to Grand Junction, CO?

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

SLC is a much bigger, reliable airport of course, and maybe winter weather is a factor? Grand Junction a lot closer, but CO winter is for real too.

 

[crzyhawk]

for a week mini vacation, I'd probably look at Vegas. The offroadeo is part of the trip, not necessarily the focus of the trip.

 

[BigFootie]

I love Moab, but for traveling via the air, I’d say Vegas.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

Vegas is also an airport option for Moab. Just adds another couple hours to the drive, but doable. Easier winter weather odds and LV will be cheaper flights, but personally, I’m kinda allergic to Sin City. If I never have to go through there again I’ll be happy. Like others have said, maybe depends on what you want your non-Off-Roadeo hours to be like. The drive from Grand Junction is beautiful, but it might be winter! I got caught in snow up there this April. ;-)

 

[JaredH790]

Texas is awesome that time of year and I have done it twice (once as a driver and once as a passenger) at the Horseshoe bay location. Always a good time

 

[GoHawks63]

We did Moab last year in June. Was a fantastic trip. We went a few days early and visited Arches National Park, Canyonland, and hiked Fisher Towers.

We live in Michigan and flew into SLC and drove a rental the nearly four hours to Moab. It was a nice ride, but there are closer airport options as others have mentioned.

The Off-Roadeo was excellent. The instructors were great and you really got an opportunity to tackle obstacles. It wasn't just a casual drive on trails.

 

[userdude]

I would just see it as a vacation and if you're driving through Utah to get to Moab, all the better. Vegas or Moab (Utah) for sure are the friendliest we're-on-vacation options, with Moab maybe the trickier one for weather.

Texas is also an option; I went in March and it was pretty nice. Vacation-wise, you've got Austin and San Antonio and Hill Country and whatnot. It's off season, though, so it may not be super thrilling compared to the Vegas lights or gee whiz of Utah, but that area is a vacation spot. Floating the river(s) is a big thing during spring break (March/April), if you're into that kinda stuff. February might be a little cold for that.

I don't know much about Tennessee. It's also a big tourism spot and can be beautiful but I don't know anything about the weather you'd encounter.

 

[heydrholly]

I would just see it as a vacation and if you're driving through Utah to get to Moab, all the better. Vegas or Moab (Utah) for sure are the friendliest we're-on-vacation options, with Moab maybe the trickier one for weather.

Texas is also an option; I went in March and it was pretty nice. Vacation-wise, you've got Austin and San Antonio and Hill Country and whatnot. It's off season, though, so it may not be super thrilling compared to the Vegas lights or gee whiz of Utah, but that area is a vacation spot. Floating the river(s) is a big thing during spring break (March/April), if you're into that kinda stuff. February might be a little cold for that.

I don't know much about Tennessee. It's also a big tourism spot and can be beautiful but I don't know anything about the weather you'd encounter.

We’re now thinking Tennessee and making a full week of it. We’d spend a couple of nights in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area, then stay in Maryville near the Off-Roadeo site the night before and the night of the event.


I’m a teacher, so my time off is pretty rigid, and summers are tough with my partner’s PTO. So basically… February it is!

Cold, wet, and maybe even some snow, but honestly, that might just make the Off-Roadeo a little more interesting!

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