2026 SOA Nationals - Event Announcement

[Kaiser8]

Hey SOA members and non-members, this thread is the official announcement of the 2026 SOA Nationals being held in Ouray Colorado, July 20-22. See attached event flyer for details. We will update this thread with additional information as it becomes available. Looking forward to seeing everyone this summer!

EVENT REGISTRATION can be found at this link: https://forms.gle/vuzDeur29BmbvTqu8

IMPORTANT!
All Off-Highway Vehicles must have either a current or valid Colorado Registration Card and two Decals or one Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Permit to operate in Colorado. This includes while in route, in staging areas and on public land roads and designated trails. Regardless of when they are purchased, both OHV Registrations and Permits are valid from April 1 through March 31 each year and are required annually.
Registration can be found here: https://cpw.state.co.us/register-off-highway-vehicle

You can register online and have the permit mailed to you, the website currently states 30 days for delivery. Or, you can purchase the permit once you get to Colorado. The Walmart or the CPW office in Montrose have them for purchase.

 

[TexasAg77]

Have made reservations at the Ouray KOA. Not sure if this will be the main Campground site for the group, but wanted to make sure and get something booked... Busy time of year in W. CO.

Thanks to the 2 Mikes doing the work on this event...

 

[Chipster1990]

If anyone has trail experience in this area, could you advise if any of these trails are doable in a mostly stock CJ-8?

 

[Kaiser8]

If anyone has trail experience in this area, could you advise if any of these trails are doable in a mostly stock CJ-8?

Most of the trails are stock friendly and offer great scenery. We will be updating this thread with trail descriptions, photos and videos. Stay tuned.

 

[Oakley]

Paula and I have also booked at the KOA. And also bringing another couple to hopefully join this awesome group of people

 

[TexasAg77]

If anyone has trail experience in this area, could you advise if any of these trails are doable in a mostly stock CJ-8?

I know Imogene, Animas Forks and Ophir are all ok. Drove them with either a stock '72 GMC Jimmy or a '93 Cherokee and the '8

 

[Kaiser8]

EVENT REGISTRATION for the 2026 National Scramble can be found at this link:
https://forms.gle/vuzDeur29BmbvTqu8

 

[TimmyTooTall]

I cannot wait! Eli and I will definitely be there.

 

[TexasAg77]

Registration and $ sent... Looking forward to it!

 

[Kaiser8]

This map provides an overview of the locations of some of the trails we plan to run this year.

For an in-depth description of the trails in and around Ouray, I suggest getting a copy of the book by Charles A. Wells titled "Guide to Colrado Backroads & 4-Wheel_Drive Trails." This book provides great overviews of the trails, ratings, stats and routes.
Another good source of information for these trails is onX offroad maps. This is a fee based, crowd sourced digital map app that provides the latest conditions, trail ratings, waypoints, etc. This app can be used on your phone or tablet.
The SOA will be leading trails each day but having these additional resources with you can help make the day more enjoyable.

Watch for individual trail descriptions in coming posts.

 

[Kaiser8]

Today we'll be highlighting one of the trails we will be offering at the 2026 SOA National, Black Bear Pass.
Arguably the "hardest" trail we will hit during the event, it offers fantanstic scenery with a bit of challenge. There are two sections just above the town of Telluride that have off-camber steps that will get your attention, but with a good spotter everyone should make it down without any issues.
The trail starts south of Ouray but before you get to the trailhead you get to experience the "Million Dollar Highway" of Hwy 550. The Million Dollar Highway is a famously scenic but challenging 25-mile stretch in Colorado's San Juan Mountains, connecting the historic mining towns of Silverton and Ouray with breathtaking views, steep drops, and hairpin turns, named for its million-dollar scenery, construction cost, or gold ore value, known for its dramatic cliffs, deep gorges, and lack of guardrails.
Here is a video that shows Black Bear Pass from start to finish,

We ran Black Bear in 2020 with our Scramblers and the following pics show some of the highlights from that day.

 

[Kaiser8]

 

[Kaiser8]

The eastern side of Black Bear Pass

 

[Kaiser8]

The following show the one-way shelf road that drops into Telluride.

 

[Kaiser8]

 

[Kaiser8]

 

[Kaiser8]

 

[Kaiser8]

One of the switchbacks overlooking Telluride.

 

[Kaiser8]

 

[Kaiser8]

The last photo from Black Bear