Rugged Ridge Trail Access Program Fights the Good Fight

November 30, 2019February 28, 2024 Joe Evans 0 Comments CORVA, Off Road Enthusiasts, Rugged Ridge, Trail Runs, Tread Lightly

You know them for delivering quality and stylish off-road accessories at affordable prices, but did you also know that Rugged Ridge helps ensure trail access and off-road participation for enthusiasts just like you?

We’ve spent plenty of time highlighting awesome Rugged Ridge products on the blog—but there’s more to this brand than just Jeep swag. From prize donations and event participation to a comprehensive trail access program, Rugged Ridge and its parent company Omix-ADA do a lot for the off-roading community. (And we think it’s time they deserve a little shout-out for their efforts.)

Trail Access Program

If you’re an avid off-roader, then you know your favorite pastime faces an ongoing threat of being minimized—and in some cases, altogether eliminated. The struggle for recreational land use in this country is a constant (and often messy) one. And, while nonprofit organizations like CORVA and Tread Lightly! are helping to break negative stereotypes of off-road enthusiasts—through stewardship, education, and communication—it’s still an uphill battle when fighting government land managers and powerful environmentalist groups. That’s why, it’s so important that popular companies like Rugged Ridge sponsor and promote responsible trail riding, and clean-up and maintenance projects to ensure public land use for all.

In support of the 4WD community, Rugged Ridge launched its Trail Access Program in 2013.

Dirt Minions 4x4 of Oregon create new trails thanks to grant money from the Rugged Ridge Trail Access Program — In 2015, Dirt Minion 4×4 received a grant from the Rugged Ridge Trail Access Program. It put the funds toward a large clean-up event that removed 4,600 pounds of trash from the Ladee Flats OHV in Oregon, allowing the group to add a variety of new trails and crawling sections.

Grants of up to $5,000 are donated to worthy non-profit off-road organizations across the U.S. and Canada. The money helps these groups in their education and advocation efforts—from building proper trail signage and securing volunteer support, to assisting with litigation costs and developing “leave no trace” programs.

Former recipients you may recognize include: Blue Ribbon Coalition, Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition (COHVCO), Off-Road Business Association, and Stay the Trail.

Clovis Independent 4 Wheelers using the trail trailer they bought with Rugged Ridge Trail Access Program grant funds. — Clovis Independent 4 Wheelers—a 501C3 club who has an Adopt-A-Trail Agreement with the Sierra National Forest in California—used its $2,000 grant to purchase this Trail Trailer to carry materials, equipment, and supplies while performing volunteer work.

Supporting Off-Road Community

In addition to its Trail Access Program, Rugged Ridge gives back to its off-roading customers with other forms of community outreach as well.

As we mentioned in a previous post, SEMA hosts a High School Build Program every year to better engage young tech students in the automotive aftermarket. Through industry support, hands-on training, and an in-depth project build, high school shop classes get a real-world view of what it’s like to pursue an automotive trade. This past year, the students overhauled SEMA-donated TJ Wranglers with more than 200 products gifted by industry sponsors. And one of the most prolific names on those Jeeps? You guessed it—Rugged Ridge.

2005 Jeep Wrangler wearing Rugged Ridge parts for the SEMA High School Vehicle Build Program — This 2005 Jeep Wrangler has been significantly modified by the students of Santa Fe Early College Opportunities (ECO) High School in Santa Fe, NM as part of the SEMA High School Vehicle Build Program. Many of the parts were donated by Rugged Ridge.

Donating bumpers, tire carriers, winches, intake kits, light bars, rocker panels, and much more, Rugged Ridge ensured those builds looked stylish and capable when they hit the auction block for SEMA’s Week of Customs. (Which raised a total of $127,000 to benefit high school auto shop programs!)

Additionally, this year Rugged Ridge pitched in to help fill swag bags for The Great American Jeep Rally, a huge annual Jeep-appreciation gathering in Connecticut that raises money for charity. The company also made raffle donations to the Coal Pit Crusade for Autism—which raised a whopping $44,000 for the Hallman-Haines Foundation for Autism & Spina Bifida.

Stay the Trail with Rugged Ridge & Friends

In an age where public land use is at risk more than ever before, we need more companies like Rugged Ridge fighting the good fight, putting time, money, and effort into educating enthusiasts, preserving trails, and keeping public land how it should be—with the public.

Interested in the Rugged Ridge Trail Access Program for your off-roading organization? Click here for an application. And consider joining Tread Lightly! or donating to the cause.