EWA6 will cover over 1,500 miles in true throwback fashion, with no GPS, no interstate, and nothing but vintage 1941–1964 Willys Jeeps, maps, and iron will.
At the heart of the festival, Epic Basecamp will be featured behind the Jeep History Exhibit near the Military Encampment. Fans and festival-goers will get to meet the racers, check out their rugged Willys Jeeps, and see what it takes to chase glory on backroads and battle-tested terrain.
What Is the Epic Willys Adventure?
The story of the Epic Willys Adventure was born in 2015 by the crew at Max-Bilt Offroad in the northwoods of Wisconsin. The idea? Pull a forgotten Willys Jeep out of a farm field, breathe life back into it, and road-trip the backroads of America the way our grandfathers did—no tech, just tools, maps, and guts.
On March 10, 2016, fourteen fearless drivers in eight bone-stock Willys Jeeps set out from Eau Claire, WI to Moab, UT, attending the 50th Easter Jeep Safari. The mission was simple: prove you don’t need modern comforts to experience a true adventure.
They didn’t stop there.
• 2018: Canada to Mexico along the Continental Divide.
• 2021: Oregon Trail from Independence, MO to Oregon City, OR.
• 2023: Concord Cup looped through New England to Mt. Washington, ending in Jeep’s birthplace—Butler, PA.
• 2024: The Moonshine Run to Pigeon Forge, TN and back—exploring America’s hidden whiskey-running history.
Each year, the adventure averages nearly 2,000 miles through remote regions with no cell phones, GPS, or highways. Drivers sleep under the stars, rebuild broken rigs on the roadside, and share stories around the fire. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s what we call #underlanding.
EWA6: The Great Mitten Race
This year’s adventure is set to make history again. From Bantam, the crews will head northwest through Toledo—where the original Willys Jeeps were built—and roll through Detroit’s iconic auto past. Then it's on around Michigan’s lower peninsula, hugging the coastlines of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
Expect:
• Shipwrecks & lighthouses
• Scenic heritage routes
• The mighty Mackinac Bridge
• Sand dunes, backroads, and live off-road racing
• Historic farms, orchards, and backcountry towns
• A community of Jeepers and adventurers unlike any other
Racers earn points along the way by completing hidden challenges from the official Race Book. From spotting mythical creatures to locating historical landmarks and helping fellow competitors, every day offers a new test of grit and camaraderie.
It’s not just a race—it’s a celebration of Willys Jeep history, the spirit of exploration, and the dirt-road lifestyle.
Don’t Miss It.
Whether you’re cheering from Bantam or chasing checkpoints yourself, this is the ultimate Willys Jeep experience. Bring your rig, join the brotherhood, and help us keep vintage Jeep culture alive and thriving.
Follow the journey, join the crew, or learn more at: https://www.epicwillysadventure.com/ #EpicWillysAdventure #EWA6 #GreatMittenRace #Underlanding #VintageJeepLif