My Weekend at Camp Rivian: 5 Takeaways
This past weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to attend Camp Rivian 2025 out in Joshua Tree — a one-of-a-kind retreat hosted by Rivian that brought together their team, community members, and some of the biggest names in the EV space. Thanks to those of you who used my referral code, I was able to be there and experience it firsthand — and I can’t thank you enough.
Over the course of the weekend, I got to off-road through desert trails, test Rivian features like Kick Turn, hike through the stunning Joshua Tree National Park, and share fireside conversations with people who love Rivian as much as I do. Camp Rivian wasn’t just about the vehicles — it was about connection, discovery, and remembering how fun it can be to just be present.
Takeaway 1: The Rivian Team’s Openness
From the moment I landed in Palm Springs, I knew this weekend was going to be special. Walking out of the airport, there was an entourage of Rivians lined up to shuttle us to the resort. The one that caught my eye right away was a Quad-Motor Red Canyon with dune rims — an absolute stunner and a Rivian unicorn I won’t forget.
What really made an impression though wasn’t the lineup of trucks, it was the people behind them. We were able to spend time with the community team, propulsion engineers, even Brian Gase and so many others.
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At one point during a drive, someone in the back asked if it would be possible to give rear passengers control of the fan speeds from the back screen. Instantly, a Rivian employee pulled out their phone and wrote it down. That moment summed it all up for me: they weren’t just hearing feedback, they were actively collecting it to make the product better.
Takeaway 2: Experiencing Kick Turn
One of the absolute highlights of Camp Rivian was getting hands-on with Rivian’s much-hyped Kick Turn feature.
We learned a few new details about how it works:
- Top speed capped at 12 mph
- Inclinometer lock on steep grades
- Surface sensitivity (loose sand made me dig in immediately!)
Even though it looks simple from the outside, it takes some practice to master — steering straight, holding two buttons, pressing the accelerator all at once.
Takeaway 3: Discovering Real Capability in the Desert
Our compass-guided off-roading adventure showed me just how capable these vehicles really are.
Back in New England, snow is my toughest challenge. But seeing Rivians glide through sand and crawl rocks gave me new confidence in what both my R1T and R1S can do.
The shorter wheelbase of the R1S really stood out — more agile, more maneuverable. For serious off-roading, Quad-Motor with ATs is the way to go.
Takeaway 4: The Community Vibe
What made this weekend unforgettable were the people.
I finally met friends like Chad Moran (Rivian Roamer), Chris Hilbert, Travis Ketchum, Tom Suburbs, José from Rivian Tracker, and Darren Fisher. I also got to connect with EV YouTube giants Kyle Conner, Scott from Out of Spec, and Gjeebs.
What struck me most was how quickly we moved past “What kind of Rivian do you drive?” and into real conversations — life, travel, family. This was a community living in the moment.
Takeaway 5: A Unique Kind of Camp for Adults
Camp Rivian brought back nostalgia I didn’t know I missed.
Sitting by the fire, hiking Joshua Tree, trying off-roading for the first time — it was energizing. For a weekend, we could set aside daily stressors and rediscover what it feels like to just play.
Wrapping Up
Camp Rivian was more than a retreat — it was connection, learning, and community.
I also want to thank Rivian for hosting and all of you who used my referral code to make this possible.
Now, words can only go so far. Here are my favorite photos from the weekend, plus videos from other creators who captured Camp Rivian in their own style:
And finally, I’d love to hear from you:
- Would you want to see more Rivian community events like this?
- If you were at Camp Rivian, what was your favorite moment?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
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