2025 Gambler
June 27-29
2498 Grizzly Rd Madras, OR
Drive anything you want, doesn't have to be a $500 car just be cool have fun and maybe grab some trash off public land.
We will be publishing side quests and missions as the event gets closer.
Featuring
- Off-road rally (waypoints released a month before event)
- LIVE MUSIC (Big stage Friday and Saturday night)
- Camping (dirt)
- Worlds biggest public land cleanup
- Greatest car show on Earth
- Minibike trail runs
- Onsite food vendors
- Greatest group of people you'll ever meet
*PARK AND PARTY... NO PARTY LAPS or dangerous behavior in camp
"GAMBLERTOWN" opens Friday June 27th and closes Sunday June 29th at noon. We still recommend camping Friday night in smaller groups along the way if you're not into crowds and want to do it how we did when it started, Saturday night is the big party. Redeem at gate for wristband and if vehicle pass purchased receive vehicle sticker for car to access camp.
Yes a stock Toyota Corolla can make it, yes support rigs are welcome, yes you and your friends can come in your capable late model rigs, have fun and help people out. We love fun crazy cars regardless of value, we hate rules don't make us make more. We love everybody, hate litterbugs, leave your egos behind, park and party ZERO vehicle shenanigans in camp, keep off-road shenanigans at OHV areas. Safety is a primary concern and everyone's duty to keep each other safe. I will publish a vehicle bounty and refund trailer cost if particular target cars are retrieved with it!
1. This is not a race.
2. There is no $500 rule, cheaper cars win Scepter so no way to cheat with $$$
3. We are the world's largest and competitive trail cleanup, bring trash bags but we will have dumpsters for disposal.
4. You are responsible for your actions, same legal standards apply as any other day.
5. Don't be a dick.
Camp is rustic and post apocalyptic, make sure to bring lots of water.
Remember the goal is to reach any of the destinations using as little pavement as possible "pavement is lava" drive safe as you be sharing and interacting with thousands of other gambler cars. The best challenge is navigating stock 2WD cars over backroads that trucks and SUVs wouldn't have a problem with but you'll find plenty of challenges for built rigs along the way. There will be multiple options to accommodate the amount of people, avoid congestion, clean up public lands and promote rad adventures.
Options:
1. Best way to Gamble: start where you are and navigate to camp in Madras using as little pavement as possible, with 5,000 participants you will run into groups along the way.
2. North Valley Start from Conversion Brewing in Lebanon Saturday June 27th (or on Casual Friday the 28th) ROLLING START anytime between 7am-12pm waypoints will be posted outside brewery.
3. Crooked River Grasslands (Main waypoints next to camp, DO NOT DISTURB ACTIVE HOMELESS CAMPS DO NOT GO OFF TRAIL)
OnX: https://webmap.onxmaps.com/offroad/share/content?share_id=01JXP4DZFEF9HVKN5NAHRV5AGE
1. Start Gamblertown: 44.59824, -121.07244
2.Loop start: 44.59235, -121.05914
3.Buck Butte: 44.6098, -121.04836
4.Gulch: 44.61703, -121.04857
5.Crooked Loop: 44.62866, -121.0281
6.Hills Are Alive: 44.64344, -121.03394
7.Northside Ford Northeast Point: 44.66672, -121.02736
8.Winter Ridge: 44.6408, -121.02471
optional: WagonBlast [devils B-hole 4x4 required]: 44.60124, -121.03525
4x4 only challenge: 44.59111, -121.03285
DO NOT PASS NO EXIT: 44.59128, -121.03196
9.Party Pit: 44.58792, -121.03697
10.Crossroads: 44.5773, -121.0437
11.RidgeRunner: 44.56693, -121.02163
12.Close the Gate: 44.55117, -121.0247
13.Flats: 44.52525, -121.02117
14.Range Day:44.42975, -121.03568
15.Southy: 44.42422, -121.08054
16.Corner: 44.43883, -121.12889
17.End Gamblertown: 44.59824, -121.07244
4. Follow the trash: download the app Sons of Smokey and use the marked trash to find your way to Madras Camp
Use OHV options for technical off-road shenanigan fun make sure your vehicle or minibike has an OHV permit if you plan to utilize OHV property PURCHASE online HERE
As always we are stewards of the envirnoment and the communities we pass through. We have huge dumpsters onsite as we host the largest trail cleanup in the world during the event, please snap a pic of the debris you collect along your journey and post pics to Instagram tagging @thegambler500 and @sonsofsmokey along with hashtag #sonsofsmokey and we will be selecting winners for most debris, biggest debris, shooting pit cleanup and more. Please include a fire extinguisher, first aid, food, water, tools plus all essentials for overland travel.
The Competition:
1. The Scepter: This award has been handed down year after year to the team that most embodies the Gambler spirit. The cheapest car, the coolest people, helpful on trail etc.
2. Stewardship: Every gambler picks up litter and trail trash along the way, if we’re going to have fun we’re gonna help. Snap a pic and tag us on Instagram @thegambler500 @sonsofsmokey #sonsofsmokey and we’ll be selecting 5 teams to receive awards from our sponsors.
3. The Gambler Car Show by TRAXXAS RC is back again for 2025 we will be selecting a winner for each category Craziest Build, Most RC Car like and Best Overland/SIRCH&RASCUE rig will all receive a TRAXXAS RC car.
