Off-road adventure is our family’s new type of local adventure. Our GX has become the new toy for our family. Our family got into off-road adventures when we found an older Lexus GX that was intended to be a future car for our older son (my husband’s excuse since at the time he was 14. We lucked out by finding a deal and then it didn’t hurt as much making the upgrades to make it a good off-road vehicle. So far it has survived the trips and will hopefully be in one piece when my son gets his license at the end of the year.
For newbys…What is off-roading?
In short, off-road adventures are taken on mostly non-paved roads and are at various levels of difficulty. It is not for all vehicles, even if they are 4x4s. Some trails require that you go over rocks, thru rivers and over sand dunes. As fun as it is, going with a group is even better and safer and from my standpoint essential. Since it is common that someone will get stuck, break something or just get freaked out to go over the obstacle and you have experienced drivers that can help out. It is such a community that I never realized existed. Many times the groups will include dirt bikes and other off-road toys as well.
Homemade off-road groups
So we got into this just from people we knew in the neighborhood and parents we knew from the sidelines of the soccer field or baseball bleachers. It’s amazing how you connect with people who are into the same thing and it’s like a new family. One dad started a private Facebook group and invited all the people that he new who had off road vehicles. He found out who was interested in going on camping trips or day trips. It was for only people he knew who had off-road vehicles or toys in common. Since then we have been able to arrange big groups of families who get together in various places in California to enjoy these off-road adventures. Someone usually takes the lead in organizing the trip and figuring out group meals and trail options, reserving campsites, etc
Organized trips thru outside off-road groups
We’ve done meet up groups that have organizers who already know the trails and they set up trail guides who have so many vehicles in a group at a certain time and make sure that everyone makes it out okay. There is usually a fee to participate since they do take care of so many details but it was worth it. Many times there are sponsors and companies that get involved in these bigger events. Our trip was with a predominantly Jeep group that went to Big Bear Lake area and had a dozen different trails to pick from over the 2-day event. Our family got into off-road adventures with this large Jeep group by the invitation of a friend that has a Jeep and had participated in this event the year before. It was a great family weekend vacation with others that had off-road vehicles as well. 
Vehicle specific groups
Since we’ve been doing this, there is a local family that started a Facebook GX group and they get usually about a dozen + together to do a designated trail. This too is fun since it’s an opportunity to meet others that have your same vehicle and get ideas, share experiences and learn from one another. I have enjoyed driving as well and having the safety net of others with us takes the fear out of a bad scenario. I’ve gotten stuck on the dunes and dinged the license plate from hitting a dip that snuck up on me, but it’s all good. Worth the adventure.
Opportunity to get out during Covid
During Covid- our boys have been doing frequent off-road trips to the desert, mountains and forests. Places like Big Bear, Superstition Mountain, McCain Valley, Easter Sierras, Lone Pine, California City, Anza Borrego, Coyote Flats, Ocotillo, etc. They have become very family with what is called BLM land that is not managed by the state and have mostly stayed open during Covid. There is a lot of off-grid camping that requires off-road vehicles to get to. Most do not have hook ups and are pretty primitive, but it’s nice to get away from the busy campsites. I’ve been glad our family has gotten into off-road adventures that have gotten us out camping and enjoying the great outdoors during this time.
If you’re interested in having an off road adventure and do not know where to start or have the vehicle but want to try it out…. check out Campdads. Experienced drivers and they have all the gear for an amazing 4×4 adventure. Based out of San Diego and surrounding area.
Does your family off-road? Where have you explored and in what kind of vehicle?