[undercoverfab]

JJ will be in Cullman, Al Nov. 1-3. I've never been to a JJ is it worth $250 a person? Don't you have to pay for a hotel too? I'm about 2 hours drive away thinking of going. Any advice on going would be appreciated!

Have you ever been to Stoney Lonesome in Cullman County? Its very well laid-out with great signs and maps and very few trails that are remotely challenging for a stock TJ. I suggest you go by yourself sometime before the JJ to decide if you want to be stuck there in a long procession of Jeeps for days.

 

[Jeepsr4me]

If you like family time and waiting in lines, its for you. If you like wheeling and quite time, for get it......

 

[mdm]

My take is:
It's for folks that don't hit the trails often and don't want to do it alone. Find a local club.
It's for folks that haven't hit the trails before or very many times and don't want to do it alone. Find a local club.
It's for folks that like organized events and want to spend the weekend on the trails with little or no personnal planning or responsibility.
It's for folks that like to collect T-shirts, hats, and decals. Visit ebay.
It's for folks that like fairly large social gatherings.

 

[dayriesw]

I just went to the Cajun JJ last weekend for the first time. I doubt these folks above have ever been from what they are saying. I thought it was great. There was only one long line all weekend at one long hill climb where the first two jeeps had breaks and had to winch up a 120' hill climb. I thought it was great and I go wheeling once a month with friends but do not belong to a club. It let me wheel on private property in another part of my state where I would never have gone. Also, there is no clubs that I know of that gives away 2 winches plus about 2,000 in give-aways and gift cards every trail ride. Got to ride with people from Pennsylvania to Florida to Kansas along with most of the southern states. But that is my opinion.... I will be going back or joining a club that wheels down there.

 

[tators]

$250 a person is alot of money for what you get... but my opion is..that the price is to weed out folks that can't afford to play.....

If the location is private, it may be worth it to experience trails you will never have access too....

Otherwise... find a local club... Clubs in Alabama will most likely be part of Southern Four Wheel Drive association, SFDA hosts big rides and had smaller quarterly meetings if you want to ride with big groups..

 

[mdm]

Stony Lonesome OHV Park in Cullman, AL is a county owned/operated park that is open to the general public.

 

[erickpl]

As Matt said, if you're new to wheeling, it would be good for you. SLOHV is laid out very well and it is hard to get lost, but you CAN find a remote mud hole or two, right Matt?

Jamborees are really geared towards new wheelers who want to experience it in a family environment. The guides, of which I am one for that Jamboree, are there to help you around the park and to make sure you minimize your damage while having fun. It can be slow at times, depending on which group you wheel with (beginner, intermediate, or advanced).

From a personal POV, if you live close (I live 1 hr away in Huntsville), it may not be worth it to spend $250 for THAT jamboree. Gateway to the Cumberlands is private land and only opened up for that particular jamboree. If I were paying for a Jamboree, I'd pay for one further from my home (Moab, Ouray, Texas Spur, Cumberland would likely get my money).

And yes, hotel is separate. You could camp out at Smith lake though.

Other Alabama parks include Morris Mountain, Greyrock, and Hale Mountain.

 

[Jt_grooms]

Thanks for the advice!! Sounds like I'll just go a different time with some buddies. I really would like to spend the weekend camping at Morris Mountain I heard it's fun

 

[Alabamaramerjam]

All Jeep Jamborees are family oriented and friendly events. You get to see 100-150 Jeeps in one weekend and what after market parts and set-ups they've used. I went to 4 JJ early in my '98 TJ to do just that and was able to build up with the suspension, tires, winch, rock guards and front and rear bumber systems that I saw on those events and like the best. You can't get that experience out if any local cllub or magazine when looking what is best for your vehicle. I think they are worth the cost if you are into Jeeps.