Living in Moab comes with many perks chief among them being able to enjoy the numerous outdoor opportunities around us. Other than being the premier auto repair shop in Moab, Dixie 4 Wheel Drive is also part of the vibrant off-roading community.
We organize off-roading education classes to help others learn the ins and outs of this adrenaline-filled sport. We also hold different trail ride events to get people together and have them go out, have fun and experience the amazing trails we have in the southwest.
As part of the off-roading community in Moab, we work with and interact with different organizations and we’d like to highlight one of these: The Red Rock 4-Wheelers.
Red Rock 4-Wheelers: A Brief History
The Red Rock 4-Wheelers is a membership-supported club that had humble origins as a small local organization formed by George Schultz in the early 1980s. Back in those early days, the club was small and meetings were held in member’s homes. Then in 1983, the Moab Chamber of Commerce approached them to take over the organization of the Easter Jeep Safari and they grew and expanded from there.
But first, a little background.
If you love off-roading then you have no doubt heard of the Easter Jeep Safari. This is the largest, most famous off-roading event in the world. Held over 9 days and culminating in “Big Sunday” the Jeep Safari brings together off-roaders and off-roading enthusiasts from all over the world. They all gather in Moab to get first-hand experience of our wonderful trails and generally have a good time.
The event is held in spring which is peak season in Moab. Sure you could beat the crowds by visiting Moab during the off season but why would you want to miss out on the Easter Jeep Safari? Though if you are planning to visit Moab for the event, make sure you book your accommodation early enough as places usually get packed.
The Easter Jeep Safari wasn’t always the huge event it is now. Originally organized by the Moab Chamber of Commerce, the first such event was held in 1967. The aim was to try to attract visitors to Moab and have them get firsthand experience of our unique backcountry. The early Jeep Safaris were fairly low-key and trail leaders were members of the Chamber of Commerce. The event grew in popularity and in 1982 the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) began requiring permits and insurance to cover the event.
This change meant that the Chamber of Commerce was no longer able to organize the event so in 1983 they turned to the Red Rock 4-Wheelers who agreed to do it. Since then both the club and the Jeep Safaris have grown. Now the Red Rock 4 Wheelers boasts more than 1000 members worldwide drawn from different walks of life.
Red Rock 4-Wheelers Membership
There are two membership levels at the Red Rock 4-Wheelers: Voting Members and Associate Members.
In addition to being licensed drivers and owning four-wheel-drive vehicles, all voting members have to be residents of the city of Green Rive Utah, Grand County or San Juan County. The annual Voting Membership fee is $50 per person.
Associate Membership, on the other hand, is for those families or individuals who permanently live outside the aforementioned areas. This type of membership –at $50 per family- is open to all those who’d like to support the Red Rock 4-Wheelers to promote fun and responsible off-roading as well as responsible land use.
You might have wanted to join the Red Rock 4-Wheelers but aren’t clear about the reasons why. Here are some of them:
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To support responsible land use.
Land conservation remains a central issue in the off-roading community. A lot of effort goes into ensuring that the trails around Moab are maintained and remain open for public use. As a member of the Red Rock 4-Wheelers, you’ll help in land conservation directly or indirectly.
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To be part of something special.
Worldwide, the Red Rock 4-Wheelers club is famous for hosting the Easter Jeep Safari. Joining the club will make you part of an exciting Moab tradition. You’ll be part of something special and fun.
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To help promote responsible four-wheeling.
Responsible four-wheeling is at the heart of this Moab club. Treading lightly, packing out what you pack in and taking care of the land we love are all part of being a responsible four-wheeler. You’ll get to not only learn but also promote this.
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You’ll have access to members-only items and cool merchandise.
As a member of the Red Rock 4-Wheelers, you’ll get access to the members-only items like club decals, the distinctive signature red jackets and other merchandise. Associate Members get a special RR4W logo to proudly display on their rigs.
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You’ll get to attend club meetings, special club events and activities.
Off-roading is a community thing. As a member of the club, you’ll be able to attend club meetings as well as participate in special club activities and events such as the Labor Day Camp Out. This way you’ll get to meet other avid off-roaders, talk shop, exchange tips and have fun.
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You’ll receive a quarterly club newsletter.
To keep you abreast of what’s happening, you’ll receive a newsletter. This is packed full of information on issues surrounding land use, special club activities, exclusive articles, a classified section and so much more.
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Early registration for the Easter Jeep Safari.
Associate members are allowed to register for the Easter Jeep Safari a few days prior to registration opening for the general public. This way, you can grab slots for those trails you want to ride without worrying about being locked out when registration closes. Given the popularity of some trails and how fast they fill up, early registration is a boon.
We hope these reasons have convinced you to join the Red Rock 4-Wheelers club and become part of a vibrant off-roading culture and a special Moab tradition.