More than 300 off-road enthusiasts from across the country rolled into the Haugan-DeBorgia area last weekend, and if their smiles were any indication, Montana made a memorable first impression.

A total of 322 people gathered Saturday evening at Black Diamond Resort in DeBorgia for a western barbecue featuring GarrenTeed BBQ brisket from Smelterville, Idaho. The dinner capped off another day of riding scenic mountain trails in side-by-sides, swapping stories and making new friends during the 18th annual River to Rails Jamboree.

When asked where everyone had traveled from, organizer Meg Allen laughed as she tried to keep up. 

"Let's see... Georgia, the Dakotas, a couple from Illinois, quite a few from Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah... Florida. I can't think where else right now," she said. 

The event has become so popular that available spaces disappear almost as soon as registration opens. 

"Usually within a week. Last year it sold out in two and a half hours," Allen said.

River to Rails began as a gathering for viewers of Power Sports Adventures, the television program Allen and her husband produced.

 "It was a get-together for all of the people who watched the TV show. We were travelogues for ATVs, side-by-sides and snowmobiles. The show ended after five seasons, but this just kept going," Allen said, gesturing toward the crowd gathered around camp chairs, picnic tables and horseshoe pits.

For Allen, bringing the Jamboree to Montana was especially meaningful. She grew up in Corvallis, and her father worked as a conductor on the Milwaukee Railroad. As a child, she traveled by train through Haugan, DeBorgia and over St. Paul Pass, making this year's location something of a homecoming. The Jamboree typically remains in one location for about five years. 

Previous host communities have included Island Park, Mackay, Salmon, Challis and Avery, Idaho. This year's gathering marked the first time River to Rails has been held in Big Sky Country.

Participants spent a couple of days exploring western Mineral County, including visits to the Old DeBorgia Schoolhouse, Savenac Nursery and numerous mountain trails. The prime rib dinner at the $50,000 Bar & Restaurant earned rave reviews from riders. 

"We've been having a fantastic time in Montana," Allen said. "The Haugan-DeBorgia area is absolutely excellent. We want to thank all of the people we've been working with—the $50,000 Bar & Restaurant, The Hideout, Black Diamond, the sheriff's office, the county and the Forest Service, which has gone above and beyond to help us." 

Allen also praised the Montana Nightriders Snowmobile Club for making many of the rides possible. 

"Those people came in with logging equipment, cleared these trails and made all of this possible. We want to give a big shout-out to that snowmobile club."

The Montana hospitality wasn't lost on the visitors. Shirley Passey of Morgan, Utah, was attending her first River to Rails Jamboree, although she and her husband own property and regularly enjoy riding their side-by-side.

 "This is actually our first jamboree, but we're having fun, so I think we'll continue," Passey said. "I don't think this will be our last one." 

Denise Hunt had heard about River to Rails for years but finally made the trip. 

"We go to several jamborees, but this is the first one we've been to in Montana," she said. 

Terry Watt was also a first-time Jamboree participant and couldn't stop smiling while riding with friends through the scenic mountains. "Oh yeah," she laughed. "I'm having a fabulous time!"

Also in the group was Terry Meadows. The four women trailered their machines from Utah via Interstate 15 and Interstate 90 before setting up camp in the field near the $50,000 Bar & Restaurant. 

"Very friendly," Meadows said when asked about the people they had met throughout the weekend. 

The women praised everything from the accommodations and trail system to the beautiful scenery and warm welcome from local residents. 

"Yesterday we did a 70-mile loop, which was pretty dusty, and today we went to Silver Lake. That was beautiful!" Hunt said. 

Passey summed up the feelings shared by many participants.

 "It's been great fun, and yes, we plan on returning next year. Beautiful country. We love America." 

That patriotic spirit was easy to spot throughout the event, with American flags flying from side-by-sides, motorhomes and trailers, while riders proudly wore stars-and-stripes shirts, hats and jackets.

After one successful Montana debut, it sounds like River to Rails has found a new favorite destination. With participants already talking about next year and local businesses welcoming them back, odds are good the logging roads and trails around Haugan and DeBorgia will once again be buzzing with side-by-sides in 2027.