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beautiful sunset jeep new mexico

New Mexico Jeep Group – Covering New Mexico with Jeeps and Goodness

New Mexico Jeep Group is a welcoming, passionate, family friendly, and active Jeep group. If you live in New Mexico and are into Jeeping, you need to get to know these folks.

The New Mexico Jeep Group
The New Mexico Jeep Group

During the planning and research phase of my 13 state – 2 country – 11 month long trip, I ran across the New Mexico Jeep Group Facebook group and reached out to them…

Am I ever glad that I did.

Oh yeah, about my trip this year…

As my regular readers know, I’m currently on my “Western Mountain Loop” trip in 2018.

Jeepsies Jeep Blog Adventure
Follow my epic Jeep adventure this year!

When I reached out to them, they not only welcomed me with open arms, they flooded me with photos of some of their own epic adventures and exploits. The kind of photos that make you want to grab your keys join in on the fun.

There were so many photos sent my way it was hard to pick just a few to include in the article. If you sent me one and I didn’t include it I apologize, I think I must have received about 100! But I grabbed a few to use in this article, hope you enjoy them.

Check this out…

View from the top of a Jeep in New Mexico
Look at that view! Photo credit: New Mexico Jeep Group member Bonnie Zylka
Hard Jeep trails in New Mexico
Getting it done in New Mexico. Photo credit: New Mexico Jeep Group Member Aaron Van Dyke

If I called the “Land of Enchantment” home, there is no question that I’d be an active member. Heck, Kokopelli himself would probably be a member.

If you live there and are into the Jeep life, I highly suggest you connect with them. Like right now.

But first, their story…

New Mexico Jeep Group: Origins

The spark, that lit the flame, happened in Albuquerque, New Mexico on September 24th, 2012.

It was on this day that four Jeepers, who had met online at Jeep Wrangler Forum, got together in person for the first time and became the nucleus of what would soon become the New Mexico Jeep Group.

The logo of the New Mexico Jeep Group
The New Mexico Jeep Group Logo

Founders Fred Hawkins, Jay Gilson, Troy Houbaugh, and Michael Little met up at a restaurant and simply talked about creating some sort of drama free group that could just go out and have fun wheeling together.

Most of them had previously been part of other clubs and organizations and didn’t want any part of the drama and club politics that typically come along with running this kind of organization. (For anyone who has ever founded or run a Jeep club or group, you know this is a tough challenge.)

In short, these four guys were just Jeepers that wanted to have fun.

Impressively enough, considering their current numbers and over 6 years of existence, they have done very well to steer clear of all that nonsense.

The New Mexico Jeep Group officially formed in 2013 and they held their first official meet and greet in Albuquerque later that year in September.

In September of 2016, they did something that I personally admire. They started a New Mexico Jeep Group Ladies Only Chapter.

Ladies Chapter of the New Mexico Jeep Group
The Ladies Chapter of the New Mexico Jeep Group!

But never despise humble beginnings.

Today, this organization boasts nearly 1800 members on their Facebook group alone. (As of this writing.)

Now in 2018, the New Mexico Jeep Group is a vibrant community of Jeepers from all over the State of New Mexico.

They are all about sharing photos, working with charities, sharing experiences, humor and of course, getting together to wheel.

New Mexico Jeep Group: Purpose

The New Mexico Jeep Group is a non-profit off-road community established by Jeepers for Jeepers. This is evident the first time you speak with any one of their members.

They are rabidly passionate about Jeeping and even more so about serving the community in which they live. Actively partnering with charitable organizations is one of the ways they give back to the community.

And they’ve got this down to a science.

New Mexico Jeep Group supporting First Responders
The New Mexico Jeep Group at a charity event for first responders.

A prime example of this is when they got together to raise money for K9 units and first responders. In their first year of doing this they raised over $12,000.

In 2017 they raised over $20,000 for these organizations. Talk about having an impact on your local community!

Or how about the time the New Mexico Jeep Group pulled Santa in a Fire Truck and made their Jeeps the reindeer? What a great idea right? Check this out.

New Mexico Jeep Group working with firefighters for charity
New Mexico Jeep Group dresses their Jeeps as reindeer and pulls Santa Claus in a fire truck!

How can you not love these folks?

But that is not all.

The New Mexico Jeep Group also works with the Bureau of Land Management, the Park Service, and other organizations.

In 2017 the Forest Service was forced to close numerous single track, 2 track, and ATV trails due to someone sabotaging the trails with sharp spikes.

Members of the New Mexico Jeep Group volunteering
Members of the New Mexico Jeep Group volunteering on the trails to remove dangerous spikes.

Members of the New Mexico Jeep group along with several other organizations volunteered to WALK over 20 miles of trails to clear the dangerous spikes. Immediately after this volunteer effort, all of the previously closed trails were reopened.

The beauty of all this, is that these weren’t even Jeep trails!

The members of the New Mexico Jeep Group were just volunteering because they truly believe it is important to work together to keep ALL of New Mexico’s trail systems open for use by everyone.

How cool is that?

New Mexico Jeep Group: Membership

beautiful sunset jeep new mexico
All the colors. Photo credit: New Mexico Jeep Club Member Flycaster Trish

Every Jeeper in New Mexico is welcome to join!

The New Mexico Jeep Group is all about promoting a fun, safe, family friendly, ethical, and environmentally responsible environment for Jeep enthusiasts.

There are no dues or fees for membership.

However a “Supporting Membership” is available for a nominal annual fee of $40.

Supporting members receive special incentives each year and help to keep the New Mexico Jeep Group completing their purpose.

In addition, supporting members receive:

  • Access to the members only area of the website
  • Group vendor discounts
  • Two waterproof UV protected stickers
  • One year individual membership to NMOHVA ($20.00 value)
  • 50% off membership to TreadLightly ($50-$100 value)
  • A limited edition New Mexico Jeep Group Challenge coin (while supplies last)
  • 4 limited edition New Mexico Jeep Group 16oz cups provided by New Mexico Jeep Builders (while supplies last)

Interested in becoming a supporting member? You can become a supporting member here.

It is important to note that all New Mexico Jeep Group members are prohibited from engaging in any illegal activity while on, or at, New Mexico Jeep Group functions. Failure to comply with this rule may be grounds for immediate removal or suspension.

New Mexico Jeep Group: Activities

New Mexico Jeep Group Trail Ride
One of the trail rides put on by the New Mexico Jeep Group

This is a busy group!

One of the things I really like about the New Mexico Jeep Group is their level of activities. Because why would you want to be part of a Jeep group that isn’t active right?

To give you an idea of numbers. Their 3 last monthly trail rides had 42/71/44 rigs come out for those events!

On their monthly meet and greets they’ll typically have 50 Jeeps and 80-100+ folks that attend each month!

The New Mexico Jeep Group putting on a monthly meet up
A typical meet and greet put on monthly by the New Mexico Jeep Group

The New Mexico Jeep Group focuses on the following activities:

  • Monthly meet and greets with a different vendor sponsor each month
  • Monthly trail ride the weekend after the meet and greet event
  • Movie premier nights where they rent out an entire theatre for the members to big release movies
  • Organized off-road events
  • Cookouts
  • Overnight trips
  • Charitable events
  • Fundraising events
  • End of the year BBQ and Camp Out (October)

To see their full schedule of events click here.

New Mexico Jeep Group: Closing Thoughts

I asked Fred Hawkins, one of the Founders of the New Mexico Jeep Group, who answered my questions for the purposes of this interview if he had anything that he’d like to add. He said, and I paraphrase:

Our common passion is Jeeps, all models from 1941 to present. If you are a current, past, or future Jeep owner/enthusiast you are welcome to join! If you like to talk about Jeeps, work on Jeeps we’d love to have you as part of our membership. Whether you are into running some of the most demanding trails in the country or mall-crawling makes no difference. All Jeep enthusiasts are welcome in the New Mexico Jeep Group. Come hang out with us and meet some fellow Jeepers. 

New Mexico Jeep Group welcomes all Jeeps and Jeepers
All Jeeps are welcome at the New Mexico Jeep Group! Come and join in the fun.

Personally, if you are in the Land of Enchantment and are into Jeeps, I’d highly encourage you to get involved with the New Mexico Jeep Group. You can check out their main website here.

Jeep among the rocks in New Mexico
With the backdrop of rocks that intend to be conquered is New Mexico Jeep Group member Forrest Tracey’s Jeep. Photo credit: New Mexico Jeep Group member Flycaster Trish

I plan on hanging out with them on my Western Mountain Loop Trip sometime later this month.

Can’t wait to meet these fine Jeep folks who are having an impact all over the state of New Mexico.

Until next time, keep it dirty and wheels side down.

~ Eric

Written by:
Eric Highland
Published on:
March 6, 2018
Thoughts:
14 Comments

Categories: Go Prepared, Off-RoadingTags: new mexico

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marki Pehrson

    March 6, 2018 at 8:55 am

    I am a member of this amazing group! Thank you so much for the kind words, we all look forward to meeting you in person! be safe out there on the road!

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      March 6, 2018 at 9:55 am

      Thanks Marki! Look forward to meeting you too. Wish all Jeep clubs/groups that I’ve run across were as active as yours in the community. You should be proud to be a member. ~ Eric

      Reply
  2. Chad Hudson

    March 6, 2018 at 8:31 pm

    I am a first time member (supporting) and have been in it for under a year. Fred is an awesome person and a great jeep builder I run a 93 Cherokee and he ain’t afraid to work on it lol everyone is frendly and helpful they have training courses (I took the winching and recovery and it was a blast!) Great people, great times!!!!

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      March 6, 2018 at 8:43 pm

      Chad, glad to hear that you are a supporting member. I got a chance to chat with Fred as I was preparing this article. He seems like he’s been around a Jeep or two in his time. Glad to hear that the NMJG is holding classes as well. He didn’t even bother to tell me that. He’s a pretty humble guy from what I gathered. ~ Eric

      Reply
  3. David Radio

    May 21, 2018 at 10:20 pm

    Hi Eric Highlan, we(New Mexico Jeep Group) alway welcome you! Hope can meet you in person

    David

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      August 30, 2018 at 5:56 pm

      So sorry for the late reply, I’ve literally been Jeeping off the grid for a hot minute, but I’m back! Thanks I had a great time hanging out with the NMJG! Great bunch of Jeepers! ~ Eric

      Reply
  4. Mark

    July 28, 2018 at 12:34 am

    Need help getting out of lake behind Rio rancho high school north end of football field. Please call 505-803-1501

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      August 30, 2018 at 5:33 pm

      Man I hope they got you out. So sorry for the late reply, I’ve literally been Jeeping off the grid for months, but I’m back! Let me know what happened with all that. ~ Eric

      Reply
  5. Pete Schwartz

    September 9, 2018 at 8:34 am

    I have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee that I would like to sell. It has 198,000 mi., 4 WD, Auto. 1 yr. old tires, a new battery and alternator. The windshield is cracked. Make an offer.

    Pete

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      September 9, 2018 at 9:42 pm

      We don’t buy Jeeps. But hope you get it sold. Best of luck Pete.

      Reply
  6. Marty Sprunk

    December 7, 2018 at 11:10 pm

    So my son 22, joined the National Guard within the last year, then just bought himself a 2016 Jeep Willie edition. well long story short, he started exploreing recently, and now is stuck, almost roll over situation, we have it anchored with straps and will be going back out in the morning to try and see what we can do. If anyone happens to be bored in in the area, we wouldn;t mind the help and experiance/expertise… It is at the Very west end of Northern Blvd in Rio Rancho 35°16’40.24″N 106°52’14.11″W trust me if and when he gets out of this he WILL be contacting this group and joining. Thanks

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      January 7, 2019 at 12:30 pm

      Oh my. I just saw this Marty. We’ve been busy getting ready for our Mexico trip. Did you contact the New Mexico Jeep Group? I’m not the founder, I just wrote an article on the group… which is made up of a great bunch of Jeepers! Please let us know what happened!

      Reply
  7. Samantha Marshall

    January 13, 2020 at 12:52 pm

    Hi there!

    My name is Samantha and I am very interested in attending your next meet and greet. I see that I missed the one for this month already. Hope you all had a great time! Could you get back to me with information on next month’s meeting? I’d love to be there!

    Thank you and ride on!

    Samantha

    Reply
  8. Gary Rieder

    November 30, 2021 at 9:08 am

    Hi, my name is Gary Rieder and I am now a proud owner if a 87 Grand Wagoneer. I live in Las Cruces and I am interested in meeting with other Wagoneer owners in this area.

    Reply

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