🏁 Top 5 Off-Road Events to Start Your 2026 Season 🌵
Get revved up — 2026 is shaping up to be an incredible year for desert racing fans and competitors alike! From historic classics to Baja-style challenges, these five events deliver epic terrain, unforgettable moments, and high-octane action. 🔥
🥇 1. Parker 400 (Parker Dam, AZ)
🔗 Event Link: https://theparker400.com/
Kick off the off-road season with one of the most historic desert races in America! The Parker 400 serves as the season opener for the 2026 American Off-Road Racing Championship and pushes racers through tough desert terrain near the Colorado River. Expect rugged courses, blazing speeds, and non-stop excitement across multiple days of competition. 🏜️🚗💨
This event is perfect for racers and spectators alike — pre-running, camping, and a big community vibe help make this the ultimate desert race kickoff. 🏕️
🥈 2. King of the Hammers (Johnson Valley, CA)
🔗 King of the Hammers (info & race details): https://ultra4racing.com/ (general Ultra4 source)
If you’re into extreme, brutal terrain, King of the Hammers needs no introduction. Known as the toughest one-day off-road race on the planet, this event blends high-speed desert racing with rock-crawling sections that will test both driver and machine like no other. 🤯🚙
Held annually in Johnson Valley, California, KOH has grown into a week-long off-road festival with races in multiple classes — from UTVs to massive open desert trucks. Whether you’re racing or spectating, it’s off-road mayhem at its best.
🥉 3. The Mint 400 (Las Vegas, NV)
🔗 Event Link: https://themint400.com/
Called “The Great American Off-Road Race,” The Mint 400 is one of the most prestigious and celebrated off-road events in the U.S. 🌟 Over its rich history, it has attracted top drivers and massive crowds eager to witness racing action just outside Las Vegas.
This March event includes:
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A massive vehicle parade down the Las Vegas Strip
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Downtown festivals and racing expos
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A challenging 400-mile desert course for cars, trucks, UTVs, and more 💥
Whether you’re hitting the dirt or enjoying the spectacle, The Mint 400 is a bucket-list event for any off-road enthusiast.
🏜️ 4. SCORE San Felipe 250 (Baja California, MX)
🔗 Event Info: https://score-raceinfo.com/37th-san-felipe-250-march-20-24-2024/
Take your off-road adventure international! The San Felipe 250 is a classic Baja-style race hosted by SCORE International, taking place on the Baja Peninsula’s rugged desert terrain. 🌊🏁 Covering about 250 miles from the Pacific to the Sea of Cortez, it’s a true test of speed, endurance, and desert savvy.
This legendary event draws competitors from all over the world — from Trophy Trucks to UTVs — and offers fans a chance to experience authentic Baja racing culture and scenery.
🚀 5. Silver State 300 (Nevada)
🔗 Event Info: https://bitd.com/2025-silver-state-300-event-page/
Rounding out the list is the Silver State 300, a 300-mile point-to-point race through scenic Nevada backcountry. 🏞️ Run under the Best in the Desert (BITD) banner and now part of the unified American Off-Road Racing Championship for 2026, this event challenges racers with rough terrain, high speeds, and strategic navigation across the desert floor.
Whether you’re running in your own rig or cheering from the sidelines, the Silver State 300 delivers classic West-Coast desert racing vibes. 🏁🌵
🏁 Final Thoughts
The 2026 off-road race season is stacked with legendary events that push both drivers and machines to the limit. Whether you’re racing Parker, battling the rocks at KOH, taking on Baja, or charging Nevada desert miles, preparation is everything. 💪🏜️
At Iron Born Offroad, we specialize in getting your UTV ready, reliable, and dialed — from pre-trip inspections and suspension setup to repairs, and upgrades.
👉 Planning to race or attend one of these events in 2026?
📍 Visit www.ironbornoffroad.com
📞 Call or DM us to schedule your build, prep, or maintenance
Iron Born Offroad – Built to Ride. Built to Win.🏁🔥