Annual Off-Road Events & Rallies
Each year, the off-road community celebrates their passion at events across the world. From rallies to rodeos to races—each one offers a unique experience.
It’s impossible to list them all, so we’ve compiled a list of top events (in chronological order) that take place annually. From the unforgiving terrains of "King of the Hammers," to the heart-pounding action of the "Crandon World Championship," you’re bound to find the perfect one for your next off-road adventure.
King of the Hammers
King of the Hammers is an annual event widely recognized as one of the most challenging and prestigious off-road races in the world. It takes place over a week and consists of a series of one-day races across multiple off-road disciplines.
The event’s UTV race stretches across 100 miles of tough terrain. It combines high-speed desert racing with technical rock crawling, creating a unique and demanding test of both speed and skill for participants.
The "King of the Hammers" main race is the week’s highlight, where the winner is crowned the "King" and earns significant recognition in the off-road community. The race showcases the endurance, skill and determination of both drivers and their vehicles as they navigate through a challenging and ever-evolving course including some of the toughest trails known as the “hammers.”
King of the Hammers is one of the largest off-road events in the world, with more than 530 teams and 80,000 spectators in attendance.
When: January/February
Where: Johnson Valley, California
Website: kingofthehammers.com
Mud Nationals
High Lifter Mud Nationals celebrates the thrill and community of mud riding. Held in different locations each year, it gathers ATV and UTV enthusiasts for several days of muddy excitement.
Attendees enjoy trail rides, mud races, competitions and entertainment. The event showcases customized vehicles, innovative accessories, and the latest off-road products. It's a family-friendly atmosphere where participants of all skill levels can experience the joy of off-road riding in muddy conditions. High Lifter Mud Nationals offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure, social interaction and product exploration, making it a highlight for mud-loving enthusiasts.
As a partner of High Lifter, Polaris has been the title sponsor of this event for several years.
Where: Varies annually
When: March/April
Website: highlifterevents.com
Overland Expo
Overland Expo® is the world’s premier event series for overlanding and do-it-yourself adventure travel enthusiasts. There are four Overland Expo events held throughout the country each year that host classes, programs, speakers and even a film festival. This is another destination event for 4-wheel-drive enthusiasts and adventurers alike. Many attendees bring their own rigs and camp nearby. Polaris is one of several hundred vendors that attend this event as part of the expo featuring adventure travel equipment, camping gear, bikes, vehicles and more.
When: May-October
Where: Arizona, Oregon, Colorado and Virginia
Website: www.overlandexpo.com
UTV Takeover
UTV Takeover Oregon is one of the West Coast’s biggest UTV community events. It brings the SxS riding community together for five action-packed days of memorable experiences.
Set against scenic Oregon landscapes, the takeover offers participants a chance to explore rugged terrains and trails while showcasing their side by side’s capabilities. It offers more than 30 family friendly activities and 40 miles of dunes with access to the coastline. Most recently, it hosted more than 30,000 UTV enthusiasts.
When: June
Where: Coos Bay, Oregon
Website: www.utvtakeover.com/coos-bay-or
Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede is an iconic annual event held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Often referred to as the "Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth," it combines rodeo competitions, live entertainment, agricultural exhibitions, and a carnival-like atmosphere.
Founded in 1912, the Stampede celebrates Western heritage and culture. Attendees witness thrilling rodeo events such as bull riding, barrel racing and chuckwagon races—where cowboys and cowgirls showcase their skills. The Stampede also features live music performances, food vendors offering traditional and unique treats, and various exhibits showcasing livestock, horsemanship, the latest farm vehicles and accessories and local crafts. It's a 10-day extravaganza that draws more than 1 million visitors from around the world, providing a vibrant blend of entertainment, tradition and community spirit against the backdrop of the Canadian Rockies.
When: July
Where: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Website: www.calgarystampede.com
Jericho
Journey to Jericho ATV Jamboree features mud races, demo rides, aftermarket vendors, live music, a kid’s zone, trail riding, a torchlit ATV parade, monster trucks, and more.
The jamboree takes place at Jericho Mountain State Park, which boasts more than 80 miles of trails and more than 1,000 miles of interconnected OHRV trails in the Ride the Wilds network. This event puts the spotlight on some of the best riding in the northeast and was also home to Camp RZR East in 2016 and 2017.
When: August
Where: Jericho Mountain State Park, New Hampshire
Website: www.androscogginvalleychamber.com/jericho-atv-jamboree
Polaris Crandon World Championship
With a legacy of more than 53 years, the annual Polaris Crandon World Championship has become an off-road tradition in the Midwest.
Each year, off-road racers converge in Northern Wisconsin at Crandon (lovingly known as "The Big House") to tackle its legendary dirt course—the longest and fastest short-course track—and compete for the title of Crandon World Champion. The four-day event features a variety of races across classes and categories, including the Red Bull Crandon World Cup. Also known as the “Superbowl of Short Course,” the World Cup features a day of pro-category off-road races similar to the Indianapolis 500 or Daytona 500.
The event attracts around 60,000 fans who gather at Camp Crandon for a combination of camaraderie, racing and food—what’s become known as the “Crandon Experience.” Most recently, the Crandon World Championships welcomed over 400 Pro and Sportsman AMSOIL Championship Off-Road (COR) series teams and different classes of the Ultra4 racing series.
When: Labor Day weekend
Where: Crandon International Raceway, Crandon, Wisconsin
Website: crandonoffroad.com/world-cup
Sand Sports Super Show
The Sand Sports Super Show is the largest sand and dunes expo in the world. It celebrates the world of sand dunes, off-road vehicles and outdoor recreation.
Held in Southern California, this expo gathers enthusiasts, manufacturers and industry experts to showcase the latest in sand-sports products and innovations. Attendees can explore a wide range of off-road vehicles, from dune buggies and UTVs to sand rails and ATVs, along with related accessories and gear. From custom builds to cutting-edge equipment, the Sand Sports Super Show serves as a hub for sand sports enthusiasts to discover new trends, learn from experts and immerse themselves in the exciting world of off-road recreation just in time for the start of dune season.
When: September
Where: Costa Mesa, California
Website: www.sandsportssupershow.com
Camp RZR
Polaris' very own Camp RZR is a highly anticipated, annual off-road event that serves as the ultimate kick off to dune riding season. Camp RZR takes place in one of the most epic riding locations - the Imperial Sand Dunes in Glamis, California—and has become a bucket list trip for many off-road enthusiasts.
Camp RZR was created as a way for Polaris to say thank you to the side-by-side community. The event is entirely free and offers an array of activities including demo rides, a kid zone, a massive vendor village, tons of free prizes and a grand prize giveaway, concerts, and even free service to keep customers riding all weekend long.
Camp RZR is the ultimate gathering for RZR owners and a prime opportunity to experience the camaraderie of the SxS community.
When: End of October
Where: Glamis, California (Imperial Sand Dunes)
Website: CampRZR.com
NATIONAL FINALS RODEO (NFR)
National Finals Rodeo wraps up the PRCA rodeo season with 10 days of championship performances. As one of the most prestigious rodeos in the world, this event is like no other bringing rodeo fans and cowboys from far and wide to Las Vegas for the extravaganza. As a long-standing partner of the PRCA and the official utility vehicle of NFR, Polaris will be out front of the arena each day with vehicles to check out and fun activities for fans before the show.
When: December
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada
Website: https://www.nfrexperience.com/
Hunters Christmas
The Hunter and Outdoor Christmas Expo, also known as Hunters Christmas, is an annual event hosted by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation that serves as a haven for outdoor and hunting enthusiasts. This gathering provides a unique opportunity for like-minded individuals to explore the latest hunting gear, firearms, outdoor clothing and accessories, and off-road vehicles. Attendees can immerse themselves in a world of hunting innovation, learning about techniques, conservation efforts and safety practices through informative seminars and workshops.
More than just a shopping experience, Hunters Christmas fosters a sense of community among attendees who share their experiences, stories and expertise. This event is a rendezvous point for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts from various backgrounds—making it a must-attend occasion for those who are passionate about outdoor adventures and the thrill of hunting.
When: December (in tandem with National Finals Rodeo and Cowboy Christmas)
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada
Website: www.rmef.org/events/hunter-outdoor-christmas
Wherever your adventure lies, there’s an off-road event to take you on it—from the sandy dunes of the Oregon UTV Takeover to the mountain trails of Journey to Jericho ATV Jamboree.
Choose your favorite, mark your calendar, and get ready for an unforgettable off-road experience.
