DAWN OF MADRAS

BIGGEST CHANGE...? We are guests of a third generation family rancher and will have zero tolerance for dangerous behaviour in camp. In respect to our host and each other please drive safely and slowly to your destination in camp.

Anyone driving recklessly in camp will be asked to leave immediately.

You don't need a $500 car, just come, have fun, see the bands, make friends, and witness the spectacle...

Camp is dirty and dusty; be prepared. High fire danger: no fires (propane rings are okay). Make sure you have extinguishers and a shovel, and keep on high alert.

REGISTER

(tickets: HERE)

THE ROUTES (stay on trails and off private land):

1.  Best way is to "gamble" here:  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 (HERE) Saturday June 27th (or on Casual Friday the 28th) ROLLING STARTanytime 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)

Crooked River Grasslands cleanup route

OnX: https://webmap.onxmaps.com/offroad/share/content?share_id=01JXP4DZFEF9HVKN5NAHRV5AGE

waypoints:

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

Looking for harder trails/OHV?: Cline Butte https://g.co/kgs/p78HXdb

There is much less trash surrounding Madras than Bend/Redmond but the goal is to cover more area and the entire Crooked River Grasslands and do a "total reset".

DOWNLOAD THE SONS OF SMOKEY APP

TO MARK AND FIND TRASH/ABANDONED VEHICLES

DO NOT TOUCH HAZARDOUS WASTE OR BRING TO CAMP (needles, biohazard etc)

Schedule: Gates open Friday and Saturday 8am (close noon Sunday)

• Nation's biggest public land cleanup all weekend

• Greatest car show on Earth all weekend

• Music starts around 6 pm Fri/Sat

• 3 onsite food vendors 

• Greatest group of people you'll ever meet

• Friday/Saturday Gambler meetup at noon at Jefferson County Fairgrounds at Rock and Gem Show: 430 SW Fairgrounds Rd, Madras, OR 97741

• Visit Great Basin Distilling on your way in and out of town to the North:2063 NW St Andrews Dr, Madras, OR 97741

• Sunday Gambler Hangover Migration meetup at Charlie's in Governemnt Camp they have our new beer on tap: 88462 Government Camp Loop, Government Camp, OR

• Looking for lakes to cool off?

  • Lake Simtustus: https://maps.app.goo.gl/izvA8MknxcG61uDp7

  • Lake Billy Chinook: https://maps.app.goo.gl/q8LUKU899w9Rd8xW8

  • Haystack Resevoir: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LzFKafCSNRDd6uFw9

    
    

If you haul an abandoned car or truck to camp off of public land document where it came from with before and after pics/location I will comp your trailer registration at OG please send pic of car and location where you found it to thegambler@gambler500.com

Volunteer signups: https://schedule.planhero.com/events/dc2075d02/2025-gambler-500-volunteer-sign-up?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwK2guNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHm2VnOwHrT__YrVAlEE5WQJp-EqzpP6r0rUs0YBPEjg3lecaGH2Jvpq67pqT_aem_DlDlKmTEJ6zTWhoVKw8l3A

Background on grassroots gamblers: https://www.gambler500.com/post/guide-to-making-a-gambler

*PARK AND PARTY... NO PARTY LAPS or dangerous camp behavior this is especially important this year

"GAMBLERTOWN" opens Friday, June 27th at 8 am 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 dust) and want to do it how we did when it started. Saturday night is the big party.  Redeem at the gate for a wristband, and if a vehicle pass is purchased, receive a vehicle sticker for your car to access the 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.

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.

Remember the goal is to reach any of the destinations using as little pavement as possible "pavement is lava" drive safeas you be sharing and interacting with thousands of other gambler cars.  The best challenge is navigating stock 2WDcars over backroads that trucks and SUVs wouldn't have a problem with but you'll find plenty of challenges for built rigsalong the way.   

Dowload Sons of Smokey

As always, we are stewards of the environment 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 the hashtag #sonsofsmokey. 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 Gibby and Gault Trophy:  This award has been handed down year after year to the team that most embodies the Gambler spirit.  The cheapestcar, 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 picand tag us on Instagram @thegambler500 @sonsofsmokey #sonsofsmokey and we’ll be selecting 5 teams to receive awards fromour 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, MostRC Car like and Best Overland/SIRCH&RASCUE rig will all receive a TRAXXAS RC car.