Manual door locks. Is there any way to unlock the rear trunk hatch without getting out of the jeep and unlocking it with the key?

If its manual door locks as you stated then no. there is no way to actuate the latch without the key.

you can leave it unlocked, or keep a spare key with you to make it easier

This is for 2011 Jeep Patriots with the manual lift-gate lock (non-solenoid lock). Your Patriot might be similar. If you cannot open the lift gate from the outside (the lock barrel is rusted or otherwise frozen and will not turn), you can unlock and lock the lift gate from inside the vehicle. To lock/unlock the lift gate from inside the vehicle, you will need a flashlight, and a flat- blade screwdriver with a blade width of approximately 3/8-in. and a shank length of approximately 6-in.. In cargo area of the vehicle, inspect the lift gate plastic cover. Centrally-located in the plastic cover, just inches above the floor line, you should see a small, round plastic plug set in the cover. Using the screwdriver, pry out the plug to gain access to the.back of the latch mechanism. Using the the flashlight, look into the hole in the plastic cover. Set in the back of the latch mechanism housing, you should see a small, round plastic disk with a slot in it. Insert the tip of the screwdriver into the slot, and turn the disk to unlock the latch. The door can be both locked and unlocked in this manner, until such time as the lock is changed.

GuruTQ2YZ is right, I am having the same issue with my 2011 patriot latitude. I have the extra speakers on the tailgate, so, its easier to put the speakers down and go through the wire hole to the white plastic mechanism. put the screwdriver in and unlock. I am assuming my lock actuator is bad because my lever is working when my doors are unlocked. Thanks for the help!

I found everything did it you guys are saying to do to unlock this back door this Patriot Jeep I said the screwdriver but it won’t turn any help out there please