Each year, tens of thousands of Jeep enthusiasts descend on Daytona Beach, Florida for the annual (2024) Jeep Beach event. This is considered one of the largest Jeep gatherings in the world, an evolution over the past 21 years to its current form. The event includes trail rides, beach drives, training, obstacle courses, mud bogs, and hundreds of vendors across multiple locations. This year even included numerous demonstrations by the US Navy Seals.
Presented by Hankook Dynapro Tire
This year also represented Expedition Portal’s first time attending the event, so we packed our bags and cameras for the cross-country flight from sunny Arizona to even sunnier Florida. Our goal was to take an AEV Jeep Wrangler to the Cracker Ranch trails, the vintage Jeep drive, and the massive showcase at the Daytona Speedway. Follow along our video, images, and captions of this spectacular gathering. jeepbeach.com
The Cracker Ranch Off-road Park
Part of the event includes a few days of trail riding, mud bogging, and vendors on the 1,300 acre Florida Cracker. This is a private playground that requires additional entry fees, but provides near-limitless opportunities to test your 4WD. The trails include stock-friendly obstacle courses and play areas, all the way up to deep and unforgiving mud pits. We mounted up a set of Dynapro MT2 on the AEV Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited and went off into the jungle.
We pushed the Wrangler in deep mud and water crossings and even had the opportunity to pull winchline after finding a submerged log.
The day had impressive attendance and the attendees were not afraid to get their Jeeps muddy.
The obstacle course was a proper challenge for stock or lightly modified Jeeps, and even included optional sections that required 37″ or taller tires.
It was an incredible opportunity to watch the US Navy Seals conduct a training exercise with blank rounds and even smoke grenades.
Vintage Jeep and Willis Drive
One of the most enjoyable moments of the event was our attending the Vintage Jeep roundup near the Ponce de Leon lighthouse south of town. Contrary to some of the over-the-top builds, these stock Jeeps brought endless smiles to the passersby. The Forward Control was a gem, and the white Flat Fender left me wanting to restore an old Willys of my own.
This vintage flat fender looked better than brand new and the owners where clearly having an amazing time.
Jeeps of nearly every kind were present on the vintage showcase, including this survivor Commando
This red Forward Control is the thing of vintage dreams, ready for a night on main street or a drive to South America.
I have a soft spot for old Wagoneers too, just asking to be a forever daily driver.
Daytona International Speedway
For Friday and Saturday, it is possible to spend countless hours viewing the new products from 200+ vendors, or take your turn driving the legendary Speedway obstacle course (many a driveshaft has been claimed on the level 5). The organizers do a good job of making it easy to park and also walk the vendor showcase tucked up against the grandstands. I was impressed by the number of overland suppliers and manufacturers that were in attendance, including well-known brands like ARB, Midland, Hankook, Genesis, SPod, Real Truck, and more. Jeep also went all-out with a test drive course and several concept Jeeps on display. Friday afternoon was complete with an impressive HALO jump and flag
Brian McVickers from our team piloted the Wrangler through one of the more difficult routes on the Obstacle course, including ruts, logs, rocks, and embedded tractor tires.
You could tell how much fun people were having by how dirty their Jeep was. These ladies were having A LOT of fun.
Hankook Tire was there in force with their entire lineup of Dynapro tires, including the AT, MT, and hybrid XT tires.
It was cool seeing familiar brands like Taraflex, Expedition One, Garmin, Midland and more.
The event officials mentioned that overlanding is becoming one of the fastest growing interests at the event, with attendees often driving days west to visit popular overland trails.
Jeep went all out at the event with an impressive sand sign and a (very) fun modified 392 Rubicon.
Overall, the event was a pleasant surprise, complete with many familiar faces and some seriously fun moments. As a Veteran, I appreciated the integration of the military demonstrations, which helps to support and connect with our armed forces. We left Florida with an entirely new appreciation for the Jeep community back east and their dedication to fun, fourwheeling, and exploration.
Extended Image Gallery Below:
