Every community has its purists. In the off-road world, that often means the guy who’s been wheeling for 20 years and thinks anything less than a triple-locked rock crawler on 40s isn’t “real” off-roading. It’s the folks who turn their noses up at beginner-friendly meetups or scoff at the idea of organized runs that don’t involve body damage.
At Virginia Off-Road, we’ve seen this firsthand.
We’ve had a few people criticize the group for running “easy” trails — some even saying “those aren’t real trails.” Others question why we talk about donations, not realizing they’re helping support a legitimate nonprofit that’s fighting to preserve trail access, educate new off-roaders, and unite the entire off-road scene in Virginia — not just one brand or clique.
Let’s talk about the bigger picture, the common misconceptions, and the real mission behind what we’re building.
The Problem with Gatekeeping in Off-Roading
We get it — off-roading is a passion. But sometimes, passion turns into gatekeeping:
- “You’re not a real wheeler unless you’ve been to [insert hard trail].”
- “Stock vehicles don’t belong on the trail.”
- “Beginner runs are pointless.”
- “If you’re asking for donations, it must be a scam.”
- “Let them have it, it will keep them off our trails.”
- “? Trail. This is a government road.”
- “that AKA “trail” keeps the JK rock stackers off the good trails”
This attitude is not just unwelcoming — it’s harmful. It discourages new people from joining the community, and it puts long-term trail access at risk.
Here’s the truth: if we want off-roading to survive for the next generation, we need more inclusion, education, and unity — not judgment.
What Virginia Off-Road Is (And Isn’t)
We aren’t just another Facebook group.
We’re not a 501(c)(7) social club that holds member-only parties.
We’re not a business running guided trips for profit.
We’re not an exclusive Jeep club.
We’re not trying to tell people how to wheel.
We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. That means we exist for three reasons:
- Trail Preservation: Protecting and maintaining off-road access in Virginia.
- Education: Teaching new and experienced drivers about responsible wheeling, safety, vehicle prep, trail etiquette, and conservation.
- Community: Building bridges across every brand — Toyota, Jeep, Bronco, Subaru, Land Rover, and more. We are one community, not just “camps.”
When we ask for donations, it’s because we’re a registered nonprofit doing real work — from cleaning up trails to building badge programs to educating drivers. Donations help us expand these programs and, yes, they’re tax-deductible.
“But Those Aren’t Real Trails…”
We hear it. Loudly. And honestly — it’s not entirely wrong.
Some of the meetup trails we include are easy.
But here’s the catch: that’s the whole point.
Not everyone is ready for the Rockcrawler Club.
Some people just bought their first 4×4.
Some are nervous.
Some have their kids in the backseat.
Some just want a peaceful drive through the woods.
Beginner trails are a gateway — not a flaw.
If you want to build a healthy off-road culture in Virginia, you need to support the entry-level experience just as much as the advanced trails. And the folks who lead these events? Many are seasoned veterans who choose to mentor, not mock.
What Makes Us Different?
Let’s break it down clearly:
| Virginia Off-Road (501c3) | Typical Club / Facebook Group |
|---|---|
| All brands and vehicles welcome | Often limited to a single brand |
| Free membership | May require dues or fees |
| Focus on education and preservation | Focus on rides and social events |
| Tax-deductible donations | Not tax-deductible |
| Trail badge system, cleanup initiatives, classes | Typically none |
| Works with local/state orgs on access | Not involved in preservation policy |
| Promotes positive, welcoming culture | Sometimes gatekept or cliquish |
To the Naysayers: We Hear You, But We’re Not Changing Course
We welcome feedback, and we’re always working to improve. But we won’t apologize for being inclusive. We won’t stop hosting beginner-friendly meetups, and we won’t stop asking for support to grow a stronger, cleaner, more unified off-road community.
You’re welcome to wheel harder trails. We’ll even promote them on our trail list and recommend them to those ready.
But we’ll also keep working with the newcomers — because someone did that for you once, too.
The Call to Action: Join, Support, Unite
If you’re reading this and want to be part of something bigger — something that actually gives back to off-roading in Virginia — join us. Membership is free. The movement is real. And the mission matters.
📍 Visit VAOffRoad.org
📧 Subscribe for updates
💸 Donate if you believe in the cause
📷 Share your rigs, badges, and trail stories
♻️ Help us keep Virginia’s off-road trails clean and accessible
Final Thoughts
Off-roading isn’t just about flexing on rocks or slinging mud. It’s about connection — with nature, with your vehicle, and with others. At Virginia Off-Road, we believe in making that experience accessible, welcoming, and sustainable for everyone.
So to those shouting from the sidelines: We hear you. We respect your experience. But we’re building something different — and better.
All brands. One trail. One community.
4 Responses
As someone who co-founded and ran a rather large VW club in the area, people are just dicks. There’s just no sense in ostracizing people in settings like this. Even within a narrow arena such as fans of one marque there were cliques. One clique didn’t like another and thought we weren’t “hard core” enough. The air cooled owners didn’t like the water cooled owners. It was ridiculous and I had to work hard to foster an environment for everyone.
I just wanted a space where I could spend time with like minded folks. Meet new people, bench race, and shoot the bull.
Keep doing what you’re doing, not everyone will be happy. But the people that continue to show for the right reasons.
Thanks Dave!
I’ve already started to experience that some, but so far for the most part, people seem to be happy about not being stuck to just one brand, I truly want everyone that enjoys off roading to embrace what they own.
In just a month and half of launching we already have more than 200 members with roughly 55 donating annually. Slow growth, but steady. Hopefully we will remain drama free, if I hear of drama within our org, it will be shut down. 🙂
Y’all sure have your work cut out for you, and not just in cleanup and maintaining trail access. This is an activity with a LOT of factions, and each faction comes with its brand preferences and brand prejudices. In a sense, that whole brand rivalry is part of the automotive sport world and has been from its inception, and in a large part it’s pushed by the brands themselves. Even within specific brands there’s all kinds of model prejudices and rivalries. New vs old models, heck, I know folks who look down their snoots at certain paint colors! I wish you all luck with your efforts but I have my doubts that you’ll do much to actually change all that.
Thanks BW, you are right many people will always have their clicks if you will, this vs that. Our community is growing which is nice to see and hopefully it will continue as time moves onward. Our focus is trail stewardship and education, the all brands is just part of the community. Thanks for comments and thanks for visiting the website, if you ever have any thoughts or ideas, please let me know. 🙂