Camp RZR expanded beyond the Glamis dunes in 2014 when Polaris brought its owner celebration to Brimstone Recreation in Huntsville, Tennessee. The inaugural Camp RZR East attracted more than 12,000 people, making it the largest event Brimstone had hosted at the time.
The success of that first gathering led Polaris to return in 2015 with an even larger Camp RZR Brimstone event featuring trail activities, vehicle demonstrations, concerts, giveaways and two new RZR XP Turbo models as grand prizes.
Camp RZR Expands East in 2014
Polaris announced the first Camp RZR East in May 2014. Scheduled for September 19–21 at Brimstone Recreation, the event marked an important expansion of a celebration that had previously been centered around the Glamis Sand Dunes in Southern California.
The first Camp RZR was held at Glamis during the 2013 New Year’s weekend. Polaris returned to Glamis later that year for a Halloween event before expanding the concept internationally and into the eastern United States.
“Camp RZR is our way to thank RZR owners and give them the opportunity to interact with us on a more personal level,” said Craig Scanlon, then general manager of Polaris Side-by-Sides. “After two incredibly successful Camp RZRs in California, it was time to extend the event east to thank those riders for their loyalty.”
Brimstone was a natural fit. The wooded trails and Appalachian terrain represented the type of riding where the original Polaris RZR established its reputation. You can follow the vehicle’s development in our history of the Polaris RZR.
More Than 12,000 People Attend the Inaugural Camp RZR East
When Camp RZR arrived in Huntsville in September 2014, the response exceeded expectations. Polaris reported attendance of more than 12,000 people, making it the largest event ever held at Brimstone at that time.
“Polaris’ Camp RZR exceeded our expectations for attendance and overall benefit for the town of Huntsville, Tennessee,” said Huntsville Mayor George W. Potter.
The weekend combined trail riding with the atmosphere of a large outdoor festival. Attractions included vendors, giveaways, a kids’ zone, vehicle displays and Polaris representatives who could answer questions about the company’s growing RZR lineup.
Polaris also operated a service area to help owners keep their vehicles on the trail. The Polaris Experience Tour provided hundreds of demonstration rides in current RZR and ACE models, giving attendees an opportunity to try vehicles on terrain closer to the conditions encountered by eastern trail riders.
Concerts, Demonstrations and the Celebrity RZR 170 Race
Music was a major part of Camp RZR East. Josh Thompson and Lindsay Ell performed acoustic sets at the RZR Oasis, while the nighttime concert lineup included Natalie Stovall and The Drive, Borrowed Blue, Lindsay Ell, Josh Thompson and headliner Dierks Bentley.
The weekend also included a celebrity race using the youth-size Polaris RZR 170. Red Bull motocross freestyle rider Ronnie Renner won the event, adding another motorsports element to a weekend already built around trail riding and the RZR community.
“RZR started in trail country, so we’re thrilled to bring Camp RZR to East Tennessee and pay respect to all the long-time RZR owners of the East,” said Jason DiFuccia, then senior marketing manager of Off-Road Vehicles for Polaris. “The reception to the event was incredible and we can’t wait to come back and party again next year.”
Camp RZR Returns to Brimstone in 2015
Following the turnout in 2014, Camp RZR returned to Huntsville on September 18–19, 2015. Polaris promoted the second event as an expanded trail-riding celebration with concerts, family activities and more than $200,000 in prizes.
The 2015 concert schedule included Jon Pardi and Chris Lane on Friday, followed by Jake Owen and Old Dominion on Saturday. Polaris also gave away two new 2016 Polaris RZR XP Turbo models—one on each night of the event.
Attendees could earn additional giveaway entries by participating in official riding activities throughout the weekend. Those activities included:
- Searching for Sasquatch: Riders followed clues to locate three Sasquatch characters positioned around the event.
- Run & Gun: A RZR-based activity incorporating two paintball target stations.
- RZR Ridge: A scenic gathering point in the Appalachian Mountains with refreshments and an acoustic performance by Old Dominion.
- Camp RZR Breakfast Club: A Saturday morning group ride followed by breakfast with views of the surrounding mountains.
- Vehicle demonstrations: Opportunities to experience contemporary Polaris RZR models at Brimstone.
The more riders participated, the more chances they received to win prizes. That approach connected the entertainment and giveaways directly to time spent exploring Brimstone’s trails.
Why Brimstone Was Important to Camp RZR
Camp RZR had already developed a strong identity in the open dunes of Glamis, but Brimstone showed that the event could work equally well in eastern trail country. Instead of wide-open sand, riders encountered dense forests, rocks, elevation changes, mud and narrower Appalachian trails.
That terrain also reflected the versatility that helped the RZR grow. The original 50-inch RZR 800 was designed to fit established ATV trails, making a major Camp RZR gathering in Tennessee particularly meaningful to longtime eastern owners.
About Brimstone Recreation
Brimstone Recreation is located near Huntsville, Tennessee, on the Cumberland Plateau. Its extensive trail system crosses wooded Appalachian terrain with creek crossings, rocky climbs, mud, scenic overlooks and routes for different experience levels.
In addition to UTV and ATV riding, the area supports camping, hiking, fishing and other outdoor recreation. Brimstone has hosted major off-road gatherings including Camp RZR East, the White Knuckle Event and other UTV and ATV festivals.
Current trail maps, permits, lodging information and event details are available through the Brimstone Recreation website.
Camp RZR Brimstone’s Legacy
The two Brimstone events demonstrated how large the RZR community had become beyond the western dunes. More than 12,000 people attended the inaugural gathering, and the expanded 2015 event blended trail riding, product demonstrations, live music and owner activities into a full weekend.
Most importantly, Camp RZR Brimstone brought Polaris directly to the eastern riders who helped establish the RZR in trail country. It remains an important chapter in both the growth of Camp RZR and the broader history of the Polaris RZR community.
