Attendee Guide
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to get ready for the Toyota Jamboree — from directions and packing lists to schedules and park info.
Getting There
Planning Your Route
Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area sits on Highway 155, approximately 10 miles north of Gilmer, Texas in the heart of the East Texas Piney Woods.
Park Address: 6284 N. SH 155, Gilmer, TX 75645 · Open in Google Maps
From Dallas (≈ 2.5 hrs)
- Take I-20 East toward Shreveport
- Take Exit 552 (Hawkins / Gilmer)
- Head north on TX-155 N for approximately 20 miles through Gilmer
- The park entrance is approximately 5 miles north of Gilmer on the left
From Houston (≈ 3 hrs)
- Take US-59 N / US-69 N toward Nacogdoches
- Continue north on TX-155 N past Longview
- Follow TX-155 N through Gilmer and look for the park entrance on the left, approximately 5 miles north of town
From Shreveport, LA (≈ 1 hr)
- Take I-20 West into Texas
- Take Exit 599 toward Marshall / Longview
- Head northwest on US-80 and then north toward Gilmer via TX-155 N
- Park entrance is on the left approximately 5 miles north of Gilmer
From Oklahoma City (≈ 4.5 hrs)
- Head south on I-35 S to US-75 S
- Merge onto I-30 E toward Texarkana
- Take US-259 S to Gilmer, then head north on TX-155 N
- Park entrance will be on the left
Tips for the Drive
- Cell service can be spotty near the park — download offline maps before you leave (Google Maps or Gaia GPS)
- If towing, note there are low clearance areas on back roads. Stay on TX-155 N as the primary route into the park
- There is a Walmart and several gas stations in Gilmer — plan to fuel up and grab last-minute supplies there before heading to the park
Eating & Supplies
Food & Ice
On-Site Food
Food vendors will be operating on-site throughout the event. Expect hot meals, snacks, and drinks available during main event hours. A full vendor list will be posted closer to the event date.
[ List of Food Vendors and Menus COMING SOON]
Meal Upgrades
Those who purchased added meal upgrades to their registration will recieve a special wristband and have access to the following two meals Friday and Saturday 5pm-6pm
- Friday: Brisket Tacos! and a drink by Bodacious Bar-B-Q
- Saturday: 2-Meat with 2-sides Texas BBQ with drink by Bodacious Bar-B-Q.
Nearest Grocery & Supplies — Gilmer, TX (~10 miles south)
Stock up before you arrive — options in Gilmer include:
- Walmart Supercenter — full grocery, camping supplies, coolers, ice bags
- Brookshire’s — full grocery, deli, bakery
- Dollar General — basics and snacks
- Multiple gas stations with convenience stores along TX-155
Ice
Ice is available for purchase on-site but the machine is overly taxed with the crowd and can easy run out often. We recommend arriving with a good supply — demand is high on hot Texas spring days. Bring a quality cooler and pre-freeze any items you can.
Alcohol Policy
Alcohol is permitted in camping areas but must remain in your campsite. No alcohol is allowed on the trails. Please drink responsibly and designate a sober driver for trail runs.
Be Prepared
Required Items & Packing List
Required Items
- GMRS or FRS Radio The most crucial item we can recommend for the Toyota Jamboree (or any off-roading event) is communications, even if its a handheld. It is required to have either a FRS or GMRS radio at Jamboree.
- First Aid Kit
- Fire Extinguisher
Vehicle & Trail Essentials
- Recovery strap / snatch strap
- D-ring shackles (min. 2)
- Hi-lift or bottle jack
- Shovel (folding or full-size)
- Air-down kit + portable air compressor
- Spare tire (in good condition)
- Tire repair kit
- Tow points — front and rear
- Fire extinguisher (mounted, accessible)
- First aid kit
- Trash bags — pack it in, pack it out
Camping Gear
- Tent or sleeping shelter
- Sleeping bag appropriate for nighttime temps (can drop to 50°F)
- Pillow and sleeping pad
- Camp chairs and small table
- Headlamp or lantern
- Camp stove or grill + fuel
- Cooking utensils, plates, cups
- Cooler + ice
- Biodegradable soap + hand sanitizer
Personal Items
- Closed-toe shoes or boots (highly recommended on trails)
- Rain gear / waterproof jacket
- Sunscreen (Texas sun is no joke)
- Bug spray
- Extra layers for evenings
- Personal medications
- Toiletries and towel
- Cash for vendors, ice, and extras
- Reusable water bottle — stay hydrated
Electronics
- Fully charged phone + backup power bank
- Portable phone charger / vehicle charger
- Camera (dustproof/waterproof preferred)
- Two-way radios for group trail runs (highly recommended)
Required at Check-In
- Registration confirmation (digital or printed)
- Vehicle registration if requested
- Signed event waiver (1 completed at check-in, another can be signed digitally with a link sent ahead of time)
Vehicle restriction reminder: Not all vehicles are permitted on all trails. Review the Vehicle Restrictions page to confirm your rig is cleared for the trails you want to run.
On the Property
Park Facilities
Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area is a well-maintained, 1,800+ acre off-highway park operated by the Texas Motorized Trails Coalition. It’s a full-service event venue — here’s what to expect on property:
Restrooms & Showers
- Full restroom and shower facilities are available on-site
- Hot showers are available, but be prepaired for long lines and waits
- Additional port-a-potties are staged throughout the park grounds and near popular trail access points
Camping Areas
- Primitive camping inside the park is included with wheeling packages
- Overland camping areas are available in designated zones for those who purchased Overlanding tickets
- Bring everything you need: power, water, and gray water management
General Amenities
- Event headquarters and main tent area
- Merchandise and swag booth
- Food and beverage vendors
- First aid station staffed throughout the event
- Marked trail system with signage — one of the best trail systems in the country
Cell Service
Cell coverage at BMRA can be limited depending on your carrier. Verizon has the best coverage in the area. Download offline maps in advance. On-site Wi-Fi is not available.
For a full overview of the park, visit the About the Park page.
Arriving at Jambo
What to Expect
Check-In Process
When you arrive at Barnwell Mountain, follow signs to the main event check-in area. Have your registration confirmation ready (phone or printed).
- Present your confirmation email so the QR code can be scanned
- Complete and sign the event waiver (or confirm your digital waiver was submitted)
- Receive your wristbands — one per registered person
- Receive your vehicle windshield sticker — display it in your windshield for the duration of the event
Wristbands are required for access all weekend. Don’t lose yours — replacements are not guaranteed.
Picking Up Your Swag
After check-in, proceed to the swag and merchandise tent to pick up:
- Your included event swag bag (contents vary by registration tier and reigstration period)
- Any pre-purchased merchandise you ordered during registration
- Pre-purchased training session passes or add-ons
Have your order confirmation ready for any pre-purchased items. Staff will verify and hand off your items on the spot.
Settling In
Once checked in, head to your preferred camping area to set up camp. Wheeling packages include primitive camping within the park.
First-timers: After you set up camp, walk the grounds to get oriented — find the trail staging areas, vendor row, the schedule board, and the first aid station before you head out on the trails.
A Few Reminders
- Gates open at the time listed in the schedule below — do not arrive early and block the entrance
- 15 MPH speed limit on all roads
- Respect quiet hours at camp (typically 10pm – 7am)
- Leave no trace — pack out everything you pack in
Event Timeline
General Schedule
Below is the general event schedule for Toyota Jamboree 2026. Times and details are subject to change — check the schedule board at event HQ and follow our social channels for real-time updates.
Full schedule details will be posted on-site and on our social channels closer to the event.
Skill Building
Training Schedule
The Toyota Jamboree features hands-on training sessions taught by experienced instructors — one of the most popular parts of the event. Sessions range from beginner-friendly basics to advanced technical topics.
2026 Session Topics (details coming soon)
How to Sign Up
Training sessions are pre-registered through the event registration system. If you did not sign up during registration, check availability at the Training desk at event HQ — sessions may have walk-up spots on a first-come, first-served basis.
Full training schedule with session times, instructors, and locations will be posted here and at event HQ before the event begins.
Family Fun
Kids Schedule
The Toyota Jamboree is a family event, and we want the youngest attendees to have an incredible experience too. Kids programming runs Friday and Saturday.
Kids Activities (details coming soon)
Age & Supervision Policy
- Kids activities are designed for ages 4–14 (some sessions have specific age ranges)
- Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times on trails
- All minors must be registered and wearing a wristband
- Closed-toe shoes are required for all kids participating in trail activities
Full kids programming schedule, ages, and any pre-registration requirements will be confirmed and posted here closer to the event.
Quick References
Useful Links
Event Pages
- Vehicle Restrictions — know before you go
- Rules & Regulations — on-trail and camp policies
- About the Park — Barnwell Mountain overview
- Lodging & Camping — camping and nearby lodging options
- FAQs — answers to the most common questions
- Register — sign up for the event
External Resources
- Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area — official park site
- Google Maps — BMRA — directions
- Tread Lightly! — responsible off-road recreation
- Gaia GPS — offline trail maps
- Gilmer, TX Visitor Info — local restaurants and lodging nearby
Contact Us
Have a question not answered here? Reach out via the Contact page and our team will get back to you.
Ready to Roll?
April 30 – May 3, 2026 · Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area · Gilmer, Texas