Community behind the Black Hills Jeep Jamboree

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - 100 Jeeps hit the trails in Deadwood on the morning of Sept. 20 for the thirty-second year of the beloved Black Hills Jeep Jamboree.

The "Jeepers" gathered in the Days of '76 rodeo grounds to show off their unique and customized trail-rated Jeeps. The crowds were buzzing with excitement to get out on the road.

"Jeep's Special because it just brings together a whole community of people. you really don't see a community like the jeep people... when you're going to the gas station if there's another jeep there, they'll come talk to you, they'll come ask you about your jeep and it just forms a friendship pretty much right away," said Jonah Petrus, off-road specialist for Jeep Jamboree USA.

Clint Borges, a Black Hills Jeep Jamboree attendee, has been to four other Jamboree's across the country.

"It brings family together. Me and my father own jeeps and we go out on the weekends and enjoy the outdoors" Borges said.

The off-roading community is unique, Don Patnoe, the local coordinator of Black Hills Jeep Jamboree said he's seen three separate couples get engaged since the event first started in 1992.

"They liked the vibes," He explained. "[One couple] asked me if I could get them to a certain spot at a certain time and I said I would do my best."

Patnoe explained he goes proper "Jeeping" about 18 times a year, but that doesn't count his Sunday drives around the hills with his wife.

The off-roading ranges from 3-9 meaning beginners can hit the easier trails, and experienced drivers with modified Jeeps can hit the harder trails.

There's a noticeable difference in difficulty while on the trail. The easier groups' routes will take them up less steep and less rocky terrain while the more extreme will take drivers up dried-up creek beds filled with large boulders and rocks. Drivers even air down their tires to get a better grip on the boulders.

Not to fear, each trail had a trail guide helping the group navigate the terrain.

"but the purpose of the trail guides is to guide people over obstacles, which is the point of it. they can see things you can't and if they tell you to 'come on' then you come on! and if they feel you can get through it, know you can get through it," said Marilyn Childress of Jeep Jamboree USA.