In the off-roading world, few things hold more weight than experience. Jeep has figured out how to turn that into something you can stick on your rig.
The Badge of Honor program, for example, is a trail-by-trail challenge that turns miles into milestones.
If you’re the kind of driver who’s been rock crawling for years or someone who’s just starting to push past the pavement, the Badge of Honor trails give Jeep owners across the country a way to track their trail conquests.
We explain how it works and what trails are out there right now. Also, find out why this program has become something of a rite of passage for Jeepers.
1. What’s the Jeep Badge of Honor All About?
This shouldn’t be thought of as a social media stunt or a casual GPS check-in. The Jeep Badge of Honor program was built by Jeep for the people who use these vehicles as they’re meant to be used.
It rewards drivers with digital and physical trail badges after they complete specific off-road trails across the United States.
The system runs through an app. The real appeal, though, is in the mail. Once you log your trail in the app and confirm your run, Jeep sends out a metal badge that’s ready to bolt onto your vehicle. They’re clean and numbered, and they’re earned.
Note that only Jeep vehicles (with a valid VIN) can receive physical badges and owners of other brands cannot participate in the physical badge aspect of the program.
2. How You Get In
Getting into the program takes about five minutes.
- Start by downloading the Badge of Honor app. It’s available for iOS and Android.
- Once you’re set up, browse the list of recognized trails and pick one that fits your level. Hit the dirt.
- When you reach the trailhead, open the app and check in. Once you’ve completed the run, Jeep verifies the details and mails out your badge.
There’s no purchase necessary, and the badges are free. Just bring your Jeep, your time, and a sense of adventure.
3. Trails That Count (And Why They Matter)
The 2025 list covers dozens of official Badge of Honor trails. Each one brings its own personality and its own story to tell once it’s behind you.
Interested in switchbacks and altitude? Colorado’s Black Bear Pass, Imogene Pass, and Poughkeepsie Gulch should be on your radar.
If slickrock is more your thing, Utah delivers with the likes of Hell’s Revenge, Poison Spider, Golden Spike, and the iconic Top of the World.
For forested climbs and East Coast grit, Pennsylvania trails like Crawl Daddy, Crawler Ridge, and Fern Ridge have a technical terrain you’ll remember.
And if you want to test your vehicle’s articulation and your own patience, trails like Pritchett Canyon (UT) and Holy Cross (CO) will absolutely do the job.
For those closer to the Midwest or South, there are runs like Dickey Bell Trail in North Carolina or Trail #26 in Tennessee.
The legendary Rubicon Trail in California has long been the gold standard in American off-roading.
You can find them all in the app, sorted by name and region, with difficulty levels and trail descriptions to match.
4. Who Should Try It?
If you own a Jeep built with trail use in mind (Wrangler, Gladiator, or anything Trail Rated), this program’s for you.
Some of the beginner trails are forgiving enough for stock vehicles, especially with a little planning. Others call for modifications, lockers, or winches at a minimum.
That said, anyone joining the Badge of Honor program should know how to air down tires, recover a stuck vehicle, spot safely on tough sections, etc.
5. Make Safety Part of the Ride
This is a quick checklist to follow before heading out to tackle any Badge of Honor trail:
- Bring recovery gear (tow straps, a shovel, jack, traction boards).
- Pack emergency supplies, like water, snacks, a first-aid kit, etc.
- Know the weather. Trails could change a lot with rain or snow.
- Go with a group or let someone know where you’re going.
- Download offline maps before you lose signal.
- Keep tools and a tire repair kit on board.
6. Why People Actually Do This
There’s something satisfying about seeing those badges lined up on a Jeep’s fender. It tells a story without being flashy.
It says this Jeep’s been places and that the driver didn’t just show up at a dealership and call it a day.
This is a community that values exploration. These badges turn the idea of achievement into something visible. One has to earn them to display them. And when you see them on someone else’s Jeep, it sparks a conversation or mutual respect. You both know what went into getting it.
7. A Personal Map of Your Journey
Off-roading is quite personal. Everyone’s got a favorite trail, a trip they remember for the views, the difficulty, or even the breakdown that made it memorable.
The Badge of Honor program takes that personal experience and gives it a structure. This, without making it a competition.
8. What to Expect After the Trail
Once you check in and Jeep processes your trail completion, your badge shows up in the mail in a few weeks.
Each badge includes the trail name and state. Most people mount them on their driver-side fender, but they’ll fit wherever you want to display them.
These aren’t sold anywhere. You can’t buy them. You have to earn them.
Final Word
The Badge of Honor program is a simple and powerful reminder that your Jeep was built to move through dust, across rock, over rivers, into the woods. And when you do that, you’re part of a story that’s a lot bigger than just you.
Every badge is proof that you’ve been there. That you made it through.
To start building your trail record, download the app, choose a trail, and make it happen. And when you get that first badge in the mail, you’ll know exactly why this program matters.
More updates, trail reviews, and gear tips are always on deck here at Jeeping Nation at https://jeepingnation.com/.