A new fall event may be coming to Moab. The Moab Times Independent reports Grand County commissioners voted 5 to 2 on July 21 to let organizers of the Off Road America Moab Rendezvous move forward with the county's permitting process.

The proposal

  • Proposed for November 12 to 14 at the Old Spanish Trail Arena and surrounding public lands
  • The preliminary application anticipates 350 vehicles and up to 800 people a day, about half full size 4x4s and half side by sides
  • Organizers, the Utah Public Lands Alliance, say it would include trail rides, education on responsible recreation and trail maintenance projects developed with land managers
  • The vote approved only the intent to apply. It does not authorize the event or guarantee it will happen

Two commissioners opposed it, citing noise and experiences with recent motorized events. Organizers said participants would travel individually to trail staging areas, and that they plan to donate net proceeds, with Grand County Search and Rescue named as a possible beneficiary.

Our take

We like to see an event built around stewardship and trail work. The noise concerns are real, though, and how participants behave in town will matter as much as how they behave on the trail. Check with the organizers for final details if you are thinking about going.