DESTINATION DEFENDER: ADVENTURE IN THE NEW YORK HUDSON VALLEY

29 April 2026

Destination Defender returns May 15–17, 2026, to Cedar Lakes Estate in New York’s Hudson Valley

  • Defender adventure weekend: Destination Defender returns May 15–17, 2026, to Cedar Lakes Estate in New York’s Hudson Valley

  • Off‑road driving and vehicle showcases: Guided off‑road experiences, a Defender Trophy challenge and vehicle display featuring classic and new Defenders, a North American Defender Trophy winners’ celebration, plus a new special‑edition unveiling and an owners’ show

  • Outdoor adventure and wellness: Guided hikes, lake activities, mountaintop yoga and recovery‑focused sessions offered throughout the weekend

  • Food, music and evening moments: Premium culinary experiences including live demos and sampling, music from local artists and a night‑time film screening with special guest talent

  • Stay immersed: Onsite glamping and camping accommodations available for guests

  • For more information regarding Destination Defender, please visit https://www.landroverusa.com/experiences/events‑and‑sponsorships/destination‑defender.html

Mahwah, NJ – Wednesday April 29, 2026: Defender, the original British adventure brand, empowers guests to embrace the impossible at Destination Defender from May 15–17, located at Cedar Lakes Estate in Port Jervis, New York. The three‑day adventure festival brings together the best of Defender tough luxury through drive experiences, outdoor activities and Defender community activities, all set against the backdrop of the Hudson Valley.

Throughout the weekend, guests are encouraged to explore activities inspired by the Defender lifestyle. Set across more than 500 acres of forests, lakes and elevated terrain, Cedar Lakes Estate provides the natural setting for trail hikes, lake and outdoor exploration, alongside wellness programming including mountaintop yoga, breathwork and recovery focused sessions. For those seeking a more intensive challenge, HPLT (High Performance Life Time) will host a high‑intensity group fitness session emphasizing physical and mental resilience.

Destination Defender is a call to leave the pavement behind. It celebrates the adventurous spirit of the brand and brings that to life through a weekend centered on outdoor adventure, exploration and community.

Charlotte Blank
North America Director, Defender

The tough and extremely capable Defender vehicles will serve as the signature experience of Destination Defender, with rugged off‑road courses highlighting Defender capability across rough terrain. Defender Trophy challenges will feature classic and modern vehicles, alongside displays of new and classic Trophy models and a dedicated celebration recognizing the North American Defender Trophy winners who recently competed in Mission, BC. A Defender Showcase will welcome owners to display their unique Defenders. For owners who would like to share in the excitement of the journey to Destination Defender, a Defender‑only road rally will drive from JLR North America to Cedar Lakes Estate.

Culinary experiences provide opportunities to connect with others at Destination Defender. Guests will enjoy premium food and beverage offerings throughout the grounds, complemented by live demos and sampling that brings outdoor cooking and the community together. Bespoke 4‑course dinners and community brunch gatherings will also be available for those who prefer a more premium dining experience

The excitement continues in the evenings with live music, a nighttime film screening presented by TGR with special guest talent and additional programming designed to bring the Defender Community together after a full day of activity. Onsite glamping and camping keep guests immersed in the adventure. 

To register for Destination Defender or to learn more about the event, including accommodation options, musical performers and the full weekend program, please visit https://www.landroverusa.com/experiences/events‑and‑sponsorships/destination‑defender.html

ENDS

Further information

Joe Stauble

PR Manager JLR North America

jstauble@jaguarlandrover.com

 

Jeff Ehoodin

Land Rover Senior PR Specialist

jehoodin@jaguarlandrover.com

 

Media website: https://media.landrover.com/en‑us

 

Social Channels:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@defender   

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Defender   

Instagram: http://instagram.com/Defender 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@defender

Notes to Editors

About the Defender brand

Defender embraces the impossible. Each member of the Defender family is purposefully designed, highly desirable and seriously durable. A modern‑day hero that respects the past but at the same time anticipates the future.

Available in 90, 110 and 130 body styles, with up to eight seats, each has a charisma of its own.

The tough luxury Defender OCTA is the master of extreme performance – taking performance and capability to another level on and off‑road. 

A beacon of liberty that can trace its roots back to the first Land Rover in 1948, Defender is a brand that supports humanitarian and conservation work with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Tusk Trust. 

The Defender brand is underpinned by Land Rover – a mark of trust built on more than 75 years of expertise in technology and world‑leading off‑road capability.

Defender is designed and engineered in the UK and sold in 121 countries. It belongs to the JLR house of brands alongside Range Rover, Discovery and Jaguar.

Important notice

JLR is constantly seeking ways to improve the specification, design and production of its vehicles, parts and accessories and alterations take place continually. Whilst every effort is made to produce up‑to‑date literature, this document should not be regarded as an infallible guide to current specifications or availability, nor does it constitute an offer for the sale of any particular vehicle, part or accessory.