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The Holcomb Creek Jeep Badge of Honor Trail starts at Big Bear Lake and is an approximately 6-mile, out-and-back four-wheel drive trail through the rugged San Bernardino National Forest. This off-road trail offers a diverse range of terrain, including rocky sections, steep inclines and declines, and off-camber areas. The trail is known for its challenging rock gardens, which require careful tire placement, slow and controlled driving, and often the use of a spotter to avoid getting stuck or damaging your vehicle. As you travel along the trail, the scenery changes from dense forest to rocky hillsides, offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.   

The John Bull Trail in the San Bernardino National Forest is considered one of the most difficult off-road trails in the Big Bear area and it's also a Jeep Badge of Honor trail. Featuring rocky terrain, steep inclines, and tight turns, this 4x4 trail makes for an epic adventure. 

The Pinyon Mountain Trail, a Jeep Badge of Honor trail in Southern California’s Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, is a challenging off-road trail with stunning desert views that loops through approximately 20 miles of the state park. This trail offers a mix of rocky terrain, steep declines, tight technical sections, serious obstacles, and sandy washes that will test the capabilities of off-road vehicles and their drivers.

The Gold Mountain Trail (3N69) is a scenic and challenging out and back trail that winds for about 7 miles through the hills and canyons of the San Bernardino National Forest, offering breathtaking views and an unforgettable driving experience.

While we were in Moab for Easter Jeep Safari 2023, Brad had a chance to interview Jim Morrison, the head of Jeep North American while driving a trail in a 20th anniversary edition Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392. Here what he has to say about the future of Jeep, being custodian of this American icon, and more! 

There’s no doubt that overlanding and off-roading in cold weather presents unique challenges when it comes to staying warm and comfortable, which is why it’s crucial to be prepared. With the right gear and a bit of planning, there’s no reason you have to miss out on an epic winter camping trip or exhilarating off-road adventures just because it’s cold outside.

Overlanding and off-roading are not only good for the soul, they're also good for our mental and physical health. From less stress and better sleep, to building wonderful friendships, there many aspects of overlanding that can have a positive impact on every aspect of your health and well-being.

Every New Year since I started TrailRecon, I would always set some pretty lofty goals for the coming year’s adventures. But not this year. Maybe my motto for 2023 should be “less is more” because I’ve decided to pull back a little and not have a jam-packed calendar. I plan to give myself a little more time to relax and enjoy each journey. It’s my hope that by giving myself this space and freedom, things will unfold naturally.

Buying a new set of aftermarket wheels for your off-road vehicle is one of the coolest things you can do to personalize the look of your rig, but you should factor in some very important specifications like the wheel's material, its weight, the size of the wheel and your tires, or you could impact your vehicle's performance on and off the road. So here are 9 important things you need to know before you buy those shiny new wheels.

The Origins of TrailRecon  How did a retired Navy master chief end up being the creator of one of the most popular off-road and overland channels on YouTube? That’s a question Brad Kowitz, creator of TrailRecon, gets asked a

Buying an off-road camper trailer for your travels is a big decision and there are lots of pros and cons to consider before shelling out your hard-earned cash for one. To help, we wanted to share our thoughts about all the advantages, disadvantages, and things to look for if you’re in the market for an off-road trailer for your overlanding adventures.   

Looking for the perfect present this holiday season? From stocking stuffers to gifts that wow, we've put together our 2022 holiday gift guide of camping and off-road gear that is sure to have something for all the overlanders and on your list. 

Fish Creek Wash to Sandstone Canyon are two off-road trails in Southern California that embody the American West. These trails are both rated as easy, and you can tackle them during a day-trip. But if you have the time for a bit of overlanding, spending 2-3 days will give you more time to explore the rich geology of Anza-Borrego State Park, enjoy the glittering night sky, and have an unforgettable adventure in the desert.

Enthusiasm for the off-road and overland community inspired us to partner with Merus Adventure Park in Texas to host the inaugural TrailRecon Summit. We designed this event with community at its heart and we deliberately created an environment in which people could connect with each other, learn from each other, and build relationships that would enrich their lives.

With the right tools and a little ingenuity, you can bake the perfect brownies while you're on your next camping trip. You'll be the most popular person around the campfire, because there is something magical about the smell of baking chocolate and the taste of warm, gooey brownies while relaxing at camp.

Chicken nuggets. Chicken tenders. Chicken bites. Call them what you will but these tasty morsels of breaded or battered boneless chicken are one of my favorite things to eat, and with a little bit of effort, you can make your own chicken nuggets, bites, tenders, or whatever you want to call them. 

Here's a list of the top 10 apps we always use on our off-road and overlanding that make our journeys easier and way more enjoyable.

If you want to enjoy some great meals during your next camping trip, coming up with a plan is one of the most important things you can do. Before heading to the grocery store and packing up your camp kitchen, check out these tips for masterfully planning meals for your next off-road overland adventure.

This blondie recipe is a family favorite that's fun to make at camp! This sweet treat is perfect to enjoy while you're sitting around a campfire at the end of a great day on the trail. 

When things don't go according to plan on your adventure, having a positive attitude is key!

The secret to a great adventure is to meticulously plan and prepare for the unexpected. In this blog, I share three of the most important tips I've learned over the years of planning off-road and overland adventures. 

These sausage and cheese muffins are an easy-to-make breakfast that will satisfy the appetites of even your hungriest campers on your next adventure. 

These 15 tips for good manners are practiced by seasoned off-roaders when enjoying a day on the trail. These guidelines help ensure we all have a great time off-roading and stay safe while doing it.    

Overland Expo West is a Wrap! More than 20,000 people attended the 2022 Overland Expo in Flagstaff, Arizona, and it is hands-down my favorite annual overland event. I love how it brings together an amazing community of like-minded