What is a Jeep Jamboree?

Jeep Jamboree history, explanation, and review.

If you are into Jeeps, then you probably have at least heard of a Jeep jamboree. The Jeep jamboree organization is almost as old as the Jeep itself, founded in 1953 by 4x4 pioneer and off road hall-of famer Mark A. Smith. Perhaps most famous of the Jeep jamborees is the Rubicon trail, which is the namesake of the Jeep Wrangler’s top-of-the-line off road model.

What fewer people know is that there are actually dozens of Jeep Jamboree events annually. One of these annual Jamborees is called TOTO, or Top of the Ozarks. TOTO is currently held in the summer near the small town of Seymour, Missouri at the Souther Missouri Off Road Ranch, or SMORR.

Along with the 100 registrant Jeeps, there are dozens more sponsor Jeeps, Jeep Jamboree rigs, and vendors. Participants are limited to a maximum 37” tire size, but there is no limit placed on the supporting vehicles, you will see stock Jeeps all the way up to trail-only buggies massive rock crawlers as well as everything in between. There are even a few non-wrangler “trail rated” Jeeps, which are allowed on easy trails.

Besides the views, you are supplied three meals a day, plenty of hospitality in form of evening entertainment, tent and RV camping, and more. There is ample of opportunity to get Jeep gear and clothing as well.

For this Jamboree I had my 2015 Wrangler JKU Sport with a 2” lift and 33” all-terrain tires. Jeeps are put in like groups based on skill level, lift/tire size, and how much you want to push things. Some trails can be harsh, but the jamboree staff does a great job of helping to guide less experienced attendees to a place that is just outside of comfort but well before one of fear.

Airing down saves suspension components and also gives more tire surface area to contact the terrain. After airing down and lining up, group CB’s are all tuned to the same channel, gears are dropped into 4-LO, and you are off to the races.

This area is home to the Ozark Mountains, and while not the Rockies it offers great views and a variety of challenging terrain. You will experience rocks, dirt, mud, dust, water crossings, steep ascents and descents, and many off-camber situations to keep the adrenaline flowing.

There is no shortage of obstacles that will require stops to allow allow one Jeep at a time to make it through, many times with lockers or the help of a winch or tow strap.

Here is a shot of my JKU Sport with plenty of dust and dirt from the day’s fun. Here you can get a good shot of the tires, which at the time were oversized, but are now the stock 33” BFG KO2’s found on the new 2018 JL Rubcion.

Guard Rail a trail rated somewhere between hardcore and extreme. It is the more difficult of the two Jeep badge of honor trails at this Jamboree.

Jeep Jamboree spotters and trails guides are local to the area and even help maintain the trails through a local Jeep club.

Many stock Sports with no lift and stock 32” all terrain tires, outperformed Jeeps with 4” lifts and 37” tires.

Regardless of skill level, at the end of the event, everyone has more experience off-roading, and many beginners get to see what their Jeeps are built for and what they can really do. If you are new to off-roading or highly experienced, or just into having fun with fellow Jeepers, a Jeep Jamboree is a great event and sure to be a lasting memory.

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