This year for 2026 we are moving the East Coast Invasion (ECI) to the fall. Use may still use the "ECI" FAQ as a guideline for the Spring Ride. The only major difference to the new "Spring Ride" is that we will not have event t-shirts or raffle. Same place, same amount of days, same great company!
What is the FSJ ECI, Spring Ride, and how much does it cost?
The Carolina Full Size Jeep Club (CFSJC) hosts an annual family event, called the FSJ ECI (Full Size Jeep East Coast Invasion) and the (new for 2026) Spring Ride. Dates for the event vary from year to year, but are usually held in May and October at Uwharrie National Forest, near Troy, NC. The event is FREE to all attendees, the club reserves the entire Badin Lake Group Campsite at no cost to you. You are responsible for your own trail passes. At the ECI we typically do a raffle on Saturday, and also have event T-shirts for sale, cash only for tickets and shirts.
What happens at the FSJ ECI and Spring Ride?
A typical ECI and Spring Ride has the following schedule:
Thursday - set up camp, talk Jeeps, usually a night ride
Friday - talk Jeeps, trail rides
Saturday - group breakfast (ECI only), talk Jeeps, trail rides, raffle (ECI only), group picture
Sunday - pack up camp, say goodbyes
Do I need to pre-register or reserve camping?
No, we try to keep it as simple as possible for attendees. The club reserves the entire Badin Lake Group Campsite, and it is free to camp for all attendees. No reservation is necessary, however we recommend you get there early to get your choice of camping location. Once you arrive, look for the club tent to talk to a club member for any details or questions. There will be no group camping on Sunday night. Participants that wish to stay or arrive early can make arrangements for the other camping areas at recreation.gov
Are the trail rides mandatory?
Absolutely not, we understand some of the FSJ enthusiasts take pride in the "show-room" look of their classic SUV. However, if you'd like to join us on a trail ride, we will have group rides throughout the weekend for both easy and hard trails. Usually there are plenty of open seats, if you just want to ride along. Trail passes are $5/day (season passes also available) for those that do want to take their rig on the trail. Trail passes can be purchased at the Eldorado Outpost (4021 NC Hwy 109, Troy, NC 27371).
Do you have to have a Full Size Jeep (FSJ) to attend?
No. While the event is intended for FSJ enthusiasts and sponsored by the Carolina FSJ Club, it is not mandatory to bring an FSJ to attend. We welcome all family-oriented offroaders. We may tease you a bit for showing up in a baby Jeep or Ford, but it's all in good fun!
Are there any special requirements to drive my rig on the group rides?
The only requirements are you must have a trail pass for that day and to drive on Forestry Service (FS) roads, your vehicle must be tagged and insured. You can trailer your vehicle to most trailheads for those that have trail only rigs. There is ample parking for trailers at the campsite and at the trailheads. We recommend that any person taking their rig off-road have the following:
-Fire Extinguisher
-Front and Rear tow points on your vehicle
-Tow strap, rated to handle the weight of your vehicle. Please, no straps with metal hooks/attachments on the end. These are very dangerous in the event the strap breaks. Please only use the straps that have open-ended loops on both ends.
-CB or hand-held radio, these make for easy communications on the trails. Cell phone service is weak in most areas with most carriers.
-Hi-lift jack, Spare tire, fluids and tools
-Flashlight with good batteries for evening/night rides
My family wants to come along on the trails, what should I bring?
Since our event is usually held in the summer, hydration is very important. Please bring enough water/drinks for everyone in your vehicle to last 2-3 hours. FSJ's have a tendency to break often on the trails, and sometimes we're stuck out there longer than expected, so be prepared. Snacks for children (and adults) are always a good idea. Bring your camera to get some good pics and video on the trails. Bug repellant is always handy!
My family wants to go camping, but could care less about trail rides. Is there anything to keep them occupied?
Yes, there are many attractions in the area. There are public boat landings nearby to fish on Badin Lake. King's Mountain Point has designated pier fishing and swimming area. Local businesses rent ATV's, canoes, and jetskis. Look around, there's plenty to do.
