Moab does something to people. Maybe it's the way the sandstone turns orange at sunset. Maybe it's the traction of slickrock that feels like driving on nature's grippiest skateboard. Or maybe it's the simple fact that you can roll into town a stranger and leave with a handful of new friends, plus a dusty windshield and a story you'll be telling for years.
Either way, late March into early April, Moab becomes the beating heart of Jeep culture again. And in 2026, it's bigger than ever.
The 60th annual Easter Jeep Safari runs March 28 through April 5, 2026, and Jeep is treating the milestone like a proper anniversary. Think new concept rigs, more hands-on experiences, community celebrations, and a strong push toward trail stewardship so Moab stays Moab for the next 60 years.
If you've ever wondered why Easter Jeep Safari matters, even if you don't drive a Jeep, here's the answer: this event is where off-road culture gets tested in public. Ideas get shown. Parts get broken. Friendships get made. Trails get cared for. And the future of off-roading gets shaped in real time, on real rock.
Quick Facts: 60th Easter Jeep Safari 2026
| Dates | March 28, April 5, 2026 |
| Location | Moab, Utah |
| Hosted by | Red Rock 4-Wheelers |
| Jeep HQ | Walker Drug, downtown Moab |
| Milestone | 60th EJS + Jeep 85th anniversary |
What Is Easter Jeep Safari, Really?
The name makes it sound like one organized group cruise. In reality, Easter Jeep Safari is more like a nine-day off-road festival built around guided trail rides.
It started small. In 1967, Moab's Chamber of Commerce hosted a one-day off-road outing that explored the Behind the Rocks trail. That single-day idea grew into what we now call Easter Jeep Safari.
Today the official event is run by Red Rock 4-Wheelers, and it has become a full week of trail rides, community events, and a vendor and expo scene that turns Moab into a rolling museum of 4x4 builds.
First-Timer Tip
Why the 60th Anniversary Matters
Anniversary years are when Moab gets extra crowded, and when brands lean in harder. For Jeep, Easter Jeep Safari has become a yearly ritual because it delivers three things no studio reveal or dealership event can match:
- Real feedback from real enthusiasts
- A proving ground for parts and accessories
- A global stage for off-road identity
This year, Jeep is explicitly framing Moab as more than a marketing stop. The brand is positioning it as a place they "honor and safeguard," tying the celebration to trail cleanup and stewardship efforts with Red Rock 4-Wheelers and the Bureau of Land Management.
That matters because Moab's popularity has a cost. Trails get hammered. Staging areas sprawl. People go off route. The desert doesn't bounce back quickly. Stewardship isn't optional anymore, it's the price of admission.
Jeep's 60th Anniversary Moab Takeover: What They're Actually Doing
Jeep's plans for 2026 aren't subtle. According to official announcements, the 60th anniversary push includes:
- All-new Jeep and Jeep Performance Parts (Mopar) concept builds
- Expanded consumer activations at Walker Drug
- Consumer ride-and-drives (on-road and off-road)
- Community celebrations, including a Jeep-themed drone show
- Trail stewardship and cleanup work with Red Rock 4-Wheelers and BLM
- Jeep Badge of Honor expansion plus a limited-edition 60th badge
The Concept Vehicles: Rolling Conversation Starters
Easter Jeep Safari concepts aren't "future production models" in a simple, direct way. They're more like real, drivable mood boards. Jeep uses Moab to show what happens when engineers and designers build the thing they wish existed, then let the public react.
1) Wrangler Anvil 715 Concept
This one is for the people who like their rigs functional, not flashy. It takes Wrangler DNA and blends it with military-inspired styling, specifically the Kaiser Jeep M715 influence from the 1960s.
- Custom front-end styling and canted fascia inspired by classic Jeep military heritage
- Roof setup with added height and integrated skylights for overland travel
- Steel bumpers, extra protection, and onboard air
- A dedicated screen running Trails Offroad mapping software
- A 392 Hemi V-8 under the hood
2) Wrangler Laredo Concept
Modern off-roading is packed with screens, sensors, and modes. The Wrangler Laredo Concept drives right down the "back to basics" lane.
- 3.6-liter V-6 paired with a manual transmission
- Retro-inspired styling with Southwestern-pattern cloth seat design
- Easier-to-clean surfaces (because Moab dust doesn't care about your carpet)
- Lift and tire choices that keep it legitimately trail-ready
3) Wrangler Buzzcut Concept
Every Easter Jeep Safari lineup needs a parts showcase build. The Buzzcut features a custom chopped fastback roof that lowers overall height, great for navigating low trees on tight trails.
- Lowered roof paired with sensible center-of-gravity choices
- Mopar-heavy build philosophy showing catalog capabilities
- Steel bumpers, winch, snorkel, and extra lighting
- Cargo-focused interior with gear storage instead of rear seats
4) Grand Wagoneer Commander Concept
A Grand Wagoneer is already a full-size luxury SUV. Jeep's move here is to build a "command center" vibe: discreet styling, more clearance, more protection, and overland-ready utility.
- 35-inch all-terrain tires and additional underbody protection
- Custom roof rack with auxiliary lighting
- Topography-style graphics inspired by Canyonlands and classic Wagoneer wood styling
5) XJ Pioneer Concept
The Cherokee XJ has a cult following. Jeep's XJ Pioneer concept is a nod to that heritage and a signal flare about the Cherokee nameplate's future. This is the kind of build that makes people walk up and say, "Wait… my uncle had one of these."
6) Gladiator Red Rock Concept
A Gladiator concept explicitly built as a tribute to the Red Rock 4-Wheelers club, the people who make Easter Jeep Safari happen. Jeep publicly acknowledging that the event is community-built and community-run.
Walker Drug: Jeep's Home Base in Downtown Moab
If you want to see the Jeep display, concept vehicles, and activations in one place, the main hub is Walker Drug in downtown Moab. Expect display days, extended hours, giveaways, and community events.
Downtown Moab Gets Congested Fast
The Drone Show and Community Energy
Jeep is leaning into community celebration this year, including a Jeep-themed drone show and additional downtown programming. In Moab, the vibe is different from stadium commercials. People are there because they planned their whole spring around it.
Ride-and-Drives: Seat Time Without Risking Your Rig
Not everyone wants to drag their daily driver through Moab's obstacles. Jeep plans to offer on-road and off-road consumer ride-and-drives, with sign-ups connected to the Walker Drug hub. If you're shopping for a Jeep or curious how a modern Wrangler, Gladiator, or 4xe behaves on slickrock, this is one of the best low-risk ways to find out.
Camp Moab: The Youth Program That Deserves Attention
Easter Jeep Safari includes Camp Moab, a youth-focused experience designed to teach outdoor ethics, safety, and responsible recreation. If you want off-road culture to survive, this is how it survives, teaching the next generation that the land is a place you borrow, not trash.
Trail Stewardship: The Unglamorous Work That Keeps Moab Open
Moab has a fragile relationship with popularity. Trails that get abused get restricted. Routes that get widened get closed. The fastest way to lose access is to act like access is guaranteed.
Jeep is emphasizing stewardship again in 2026, including trail cleanup efforts with Red Rock 4-Wheelers and the Bureau of Land Management. If you're going to Moab for the 60th, consider giving one morning to stewardship. You'll leave with the best kind of souvenir: a trail you helped keep alive.
Jeep Badge of Honor: Turning Trail Runs Into Community
Jeep's Badge of Honor program is adding new "Core Trails," plus new limited trails in the Moab and Grand Junction areas, and a limited-edition 60th Easter Jeep Safari badge available via event check-in in the mobile app.
Vendor Expo: When the Desert Turns Into a Gear Lab
If trail runs are the "meat" of Easter Jeep Safari, the expo side is the dessert. Expect:
- New suspension setups you can crawl under and inspect
- Recovery gear you can actually handle before buying
- Lighting setups that make your current headlights feel like candlelight
- Builders showing off work you normally only see online
Planning Your 60th Easter Jeep Safari Trip
1) Book Early
This is the 60th anniversary. Expect heavy demand for lodging and campsites.
2) Know What "Stock Capable" Means
Some Moab trails are friendly. Some are not. A stock 4x4 can do a lot if driven well. But if you pick a trail above your build, Moab will happily collect your bumper.
3) Air Down, Then Air Up Properly
Slickrock grip is real, but tires still need the right pressure for traction and comfort. Onboard air is a recurring theme in Jeep's concepts for a reason.
4) Bring More Water Than You Think
Moab is dry, sunny, and deceptive. You won't notice how dehydrated you are until you do.
5) Trail Etiquette Is Not Optional
Stay on designated routes. Respect closures. Pack out trash. Help when you can. Stewardship is the only reason this event has survived sixty runs.
The Best Part of EJS