Each and every year, one of the wildest events around is held at one of my favorite places on earth. And each and every year, there's something new to behold and get excited about. This year is no different, as Polaris' Camp RZR is once again returning to the Imperial Sand Dunes in California, otherwise known as Glamis.
If you've never been to either, the dunes themselves are otherworldly. No, literally, as they've been used in countless sci-fi TV shows and movies as backdrops of alien planets, and when you're there, you do get the sensation you're elsewhere in a galaxy far, far away. And it compounds as night falls or the sun rises, which is exactly why Polaris holds its annual get-together there.
And this year is set to be a barn burner of a time, with new events and maybe a new RZR model to cap off the weekend's festivities.
Speaking ahead of Camp RZR, Reid Wilson, Polaris' President of Off-Road Vehicles, said, "Camp RZR is our way of giving back to the incredible off-road community—the passionate individuals who’ve shaped this lifestyle. It’s a celebration of the culture they’ve created, and we’re excited to bring everyone together in Glamis for a weekend of action, connection, and everything we love about riding."
This year's event will occur on October 31st to November 1st to kick off the dunes riding season. It's easier to ride during the winter months as Glamis in the summer is basically hell on earth and will bake you faster than a Pop-Tart in a 1000-degree pizza oven.
Admission is free for the event, and spectators and recreaters will also have access to demonstration rides in RZR UTVs, on-site service (free, I might add), shopping at a host of vendors, food trucks because everyone wants an al pastor taco to go with their revelry, a drone show, as well as a freestyle motocross show with Jeremy "Twitch" Stenberg and Vicki Golden. Hell yeah.
Polaris is also adding to the insanity, as given Camp RZR takes place over Halloween, the company said it'll put together a "Witching Hour to celebrate Halloween with trick-or-treating and a costume contest on Friday evening." Likewise, a new Tough Enough Obstacle Course "will challenge attendees’ strength, agility, and endurance through a series of physically demanding obstacles with courses designed for adults and kids five years and older."
There's also a rumor that a new RZR is coming soon, and I could see Polaris dropping it there.
The company also partnered with RAM Trucks, which will be providing demonstration rides "on a custom course in real off-road conditions" by pro drivers. And while it might not make sense upon first glance as to why a truck manufacturer would be participating in Camp RZR, answer me how y'all are getting your rigs to Glamis. Oh yeah, you're trailering them.
As with any all all events like this, I want to say a few things. First and foremost, if you're planning on going, remember to leave it better. I don't want to see all the trash I've seen in years prior left behind. With public land attacks on the rise by our elected representatives, they're just looking for shit like that to say, "They don't take care of it, so we should sell it off." We're stewards of this land, and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) tasked to take care of it is currently furloughed. Don't make their lives any worse.
And second, be careful. You don't need to pretend you're Twitch, though I get the appeal.
