Jeep Gladiator Ownership & Southern Overlanding
Welcome to GladiatorUp.com
gladiatorup.com
Practical Jeep guides, weekend-ready routes and trail-tested gear for exploring Tennessee and the Southern Appalachians.
Independent Overland & Adventure Media
Overlanding the South. Here’s to the road unpaved.
Welcome to GladiatorUp.com, an independent digital publication covering overlanding, Jeep ownership, vehicle-based adventure travel, and outdoor recreation throughout the American South.
From the Appalachian backroads to the forests, trails, and campgrounds of the Deep South, we explore the places, people, equipment, and experiences that make adventure travel possible.
Founded and edited by Tennessee-based writer and adventurer Doug Stokes, GladiatorUp brings together firsthand experience, independent product evaluations, regional research, and outdoor industry reporting—all through the perspective of a weekend warrior who believes the adventure begins where the pavement ends.
Jeep Gladiator
Guides
Southern Route
Library
Gear I Actually
Use
About the editor
Weekend Warrior. Writer. Storyteller.
I'm Doug Stokes, founder and editor of GladiatorUp.com. Raised along the Tennessee River and the foothills of Southern Appalachia, I've spent much of my life exploring backroads, chasing new experiences, and collecting stories along the way. After years traveling professionally as a musician, I traded tour buses for trailheads and returned to the kind of adventures that inspired me as a young man. Today, I publish GladiatorUp from Southern Tennessee, covering Jeep ownership, regional overlanding, outdoor equipment, and the growing adventure travel community across the South.
rides / Meetups / Events
From time to time, I host small trail rides and campouts for fellow Jeep and overland enthusiasts—simple gatherings where we swap stories, test gear, and enjoy the outdoors. I also attend and perform at select overlanding and outdoor industry events throughout the Southern U.S., sharing my music and making new friends. If you're out on the trail or at an event, I’d love to connect. Check here for upcoming plans and appearances.
Field Reports & Editorial
Overlanding is more than rigs, rooftop tents, and remote campsites. It’s an evolving community of travelers, manufacturers, event organizers, land managers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Through original field reports, interviews, regional industry coverage, and editorial commentary, GladiatorUp explores the people, places, and developments shaping overlanding throughout the American South.
here's to the road unpaved
"Here's to the road unpaved" is an expression celebrating the courage, adventure, and rewards associated with taking the less conventional, challenging path in life. Let these words be an affirmation of courage, independence, and the belief that venturing off the beaten path can lead to a more enriching and rewarding journey for those who dare to seek it.
The overlander's
wife - A survival guide
For Women Who’d Rather Be Home, But Married A Man Who Bought A Rooftop Tent
overlanding in the southern USA
TN, AL, GA, SC, NC, KY
Explore this ever-expanding portal of routes, destinations, camp spots, and tips—organized by state and built for the overlander who craves dirt, detours, and an unforgettable view.
From Appalachian switchbacks to Gulf Coast sand, the South offers a rich mix of terrain, culture, and untapped adventure. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls in Alabama, crawling sandy beaches in North Carolina, or finding solitude near babbling brooks in the Tennessee Smokies, this region is made for the weekend warrior and the long trek trail chaser alike.
Events, Rallies & Community
From regional overlanding gatherings to industry expos, Jeep events, and community trail rides, GladiatorUp follows the events bringing Southern adventure travelers together. I attend select events as an enthusiast, participant, and independent writer—documenting the experience, connecting with the community, and sharing the stories worth telling.
Get new posts, trip notes, and campfire-level insights delivered to your inbox
1 email a month | No selling your info | Unsub anytime