Tales from the Trail: Piney River & Beyond
My trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains with the 2022 Ultimate Overland Build started as the remnants of Hurricane Ian made their way through western Virginia.
Guide ToTHE ARRINGTON REGION
Overland Expo EAST is just east of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains along Highway 29. It is 22 miles north of Lynchburg and 35 miles south of Charlottesville and is a short drive to Shenandoah National Park.
OCTOBER 3-5, 2025
OAK RIDGE ESTATE // ARRINGTON, VA
FRI 9-5 | SAT 9-5 | SUN 9-3
ABOUT THE VENUE
OAK RIDGE ESTATe
Oak Ridge Estate is a professional event venue sitting on 4,800 acres of lush Central Virginia countryside in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The popular event venue hosts numerous large events each year including the Lockn’ Music Festival, a 3-day mega-event blending more than 30,000 attendees with top music acts, local foods, craft spirits and extensive weekend camping packages.
DRIVING TIMES TO OAK RIDGE ESTATES:
- Richmond, VA via I-64 to US-29: 2 hrs
- Washington, DC via US-29: 3.5 hrs
- Charlotte, NC via I-85 to US-29: 4 hrs
- New York City, NY via I-95: 7 hrs
- Atlanta, GA via I-85 to US-29: 7.5 hrs
OVERLAND ROUTES & RESOURCES
Trips & Trails: Union Springs
Just north of Harrisonburg, Virginia you’ll find a section of George Washington National Forest with an incredible density of trails. This area really has something for every adventurer with great options for trail difficulty, camping, and other activities, all within relatively close proximity to each other.
Trips & Trails: Fenwick Mines
Fall is a great time to visit the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. One of the best ways to experience these mountains is to explore the trails and forest roads that criss-cross this region.
Trips & Trails: Bald Mountain
If you’re on your way to or from Overland Expo East and decide to seek out a challenging trail, Bald Mountain is where you need to be. It’s located in the Saint Mary’s area of George Washington, and the southern terminus is only 45 minutes from Oak Ridge Estates.
Looking for more ways to connect with others? Join one of the many overland groups traveling together before or after the show.
Expedition Portal | American Adventurist | ADVrider | Overland Bound
Looking for a scenic route that uses dirt, gravel, and paved roads to wind through remote parts of the region?
ACCOMODATIONS
HOTELS / BED & BREAKFASTS
Additional Hotel Search Options:
EXPO HOUSING SERVICES
WARNING: This is not a legitimate company. If you are contacted by them, do not use their services.
NEARBY RV PARKS
We do not allow motorhomes / RVs to camp on-site. It’s best to book a real RV park near Arrington.
RV PARKS IN THE ARRINGTON AREA:
Check out reviews of various RV Parks and Campgrounds in the area.
CAMPING
In order to keep our culture of off-the-beaten-path travel alive and well, all on-site camping is restricted to motorcycles, tents, overland vehicles, and small overland trailers ONLY.
CAMPGROUNDS IN THE AREA:
NATIONAL FOREST CAMPGROUNDS
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest offer several campgrounds, click HERE for a list of campgrounds.
DISPERSED CAMPING
For those who prefer more solitude, dispersed camping is also allowed in the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest. For a detailed guide to regulations and suggested sites, see: Dispersed camping.
FOOD & DRINK
RAPUNZEL’S COFFEE & BOOKS
An eclectic arts venue, community space, coffee shop, and used bookstore located in The Packing Shed in historic Rapunzel’s Coffee.
BASIC NECESSITIES
Basic Necessities celebrates the European mentality of thoughtful food preparation, conversation and relaxation. “La table” in French signifies so much more than just “the table,” or dinner table. It means a place where family and friends can eat, drink, talk and just be together.
BEAN TREE CAFE
When you visit you’ll find amazing, locally roasted coffee paired with a wide selection of house-made food. Bean Tree Cafe serves coffee and espresso locally roasted and also features a full menu that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner items with several gluten-free options available upon request.
BOOTLEGGERS
Remember Lynchburg’s wilder side with some of the most unique burgers and brews in town! You may feel like you’re entering a speakeasy through the lower entrance, but you’ll know you’re home when you sample Bootlegger’s brews and burgers.
Find more places to eat in and around Arrington, Charlottesville or Lynchburg.
THINGS TO DO
Not sure what you want to do, but want to know what is available in the area? Visit Nelson County offers a treasure trove of tips and advice on how to make the most of your stay near Infinity Downs. Looking to get out and explore a little? Check out Visit Charlottesville, Lynchburg Tourism, or Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountain website. You can also take a look at this great article for 100 Best Things to Do in Virginia.
NATIONAL PARKS
Cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, quiet wooded hollows—take a hike, meander along Skyline Drive, or picnic with the family. 200,000 acres of protected lands are a haven to deer, songbirds, the night sky…and you. Plan a Shenandoah escape today!
VINEYARDS & WINERIES
From Virginia’s oldest winery, farm wineries, terraced vineyards and rustic to elegant modern tasting rooms, Nelson County offers many unique wine-tasting experiences for the wine lover. With easy access to the Route 29 corridor, the following wineries are open to visitors: Lovingston Winery, Delfosse Vineyard and Winery, Brent Manor Vineyard, and Mountain Cove Winery. Along Route 151 are Veritas Vineyard and Winery, Cardinal Point Winery, Afton Mountain Vineyard, Flying Fox Vineyard, and Hilltop Berry Farm and Winery. Be sure to check out Nelson 151. Find out more at Visit Nelson County.
MUSIC
Charlottesville has Live Music almost every night of the week. There is something for everyone!
Looking for a great Concert to attend? Lynchburg may just have what you’re looking for.
HIKING
Get lost in the beauty of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests with a great hike! Limitless options are available at Hiking Project.
Take a day hike on a section of the Appalachian Trail. Crabtree Falls claims to be Virginia’s most beautiful waterfall. Enjoy this hike to decide for yourself!
This list highlights 15 favorite hikes near Charlottesville.
BREW RIDGE TRAIL
The Brew Ridge Trail is a self-guided tour featuring five of the nation’s best craft breweries. With everything from lagers to stouts, there’s something for everyone along the trail… The five breweries along the Trail include Blue Mountain Brewery, Blue Mountain Barrel House, Devils Backbone Brewing Company, Starr Hill Brewery, and Wild Wolf Brewing Company. Visit brewridgetrail.com for more information.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Popular mountain biking trail suggestions from the Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club.
Bicycle rentals and guides available through Blue Ridge Cyclery – Downtown in Charlottesville or Bikes Unlimited in Lynchburg. MTB Project or Singletracks also have maps and suggestions for great trails in Virginia.
HISTORY
Take a trip back in time at The Walton Museum.
Civil War enthusiasts have plenty of options in Lynchburg, or Charlottesville hosts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
FISHING
Nelson County offers many fishing opportunities along its rivers, lakes and streams, including the Tye River, James River, Little Piney River (stream) and Rockfish River.
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout; largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and bluegill
Dead Drift Outfitters is here to get you locked in on fish. Services include custom flies, gear, tying materials, fly fishing and tying instruction and guided wade and float trips.
Fly & Ride
Where to rent motorcycles?
Although motorcycle rentals are not available locally in Arrington, you can fly to the surrounding areas and rent adventure motorcycles at:
Charlotte, NC – Carolina Adventure Cycles
Roanoke, VA – Eagle Rider
Townsend, TN – GSM MotoRent
Enjoy a ride through the Blue Ridge Parkway or Shenandoah National Park on your way to Overland Expo.
CHECK OUT WHAT'S NEW #OVERLANDEXPO
Everyone’s rolling in for Overland Expo East, our final event of the year. It’s going to be a beautiful weekend, come on down! 🎉🍁🛻
Who’s here and who’s coming through this weekend?
🎟️ Tickets at the link in bio
#overlandexpo #overlandexpoeast
Wildsam aims to take you places. In their 65+ iconic field guides, they gather intel from across the map into beautiful books about towns, cities, National Parks, iconic regions and epic road trips. Check out their newest releases—Lake Michigan Coast and Wild Alaska—at wildsam.com. ✨
Plus, @wildsam will be at Overland Expo East! Come say hi at their booth (and you may even get to take home a field guide 👀)!
Off-Road Travel TV is the only weekly cable television show devoted to the off-road adventure travel and overland lifestyle. Each week the crew takes viewers to spectacular off-road locations and features the latest gear and accessories that make this lifestyle so appealing.
📺 Off-Road Travel TV can be seen every Sunday at 9:30am on RACER TV
Overland Expo East is the one place you can join thousands of other passionate enthusiasts from all over the USA to see all the latest gear, learn new skills, meet new friends and be inspired by hundreds of new ideas and creative ways to make your travels more enjoyable. Don’t miss it!
👉 Be sure to keep an eye out for the @offroadtraveltv crew and say hello!
Out there, connection and navigation aren’t extras - they’re essential 🏍️ On the 2025 Ultimate Overland Motorcycle, every detail is built for the ride beyond the map:
📡 The @zoleolifeus Global Satellite Communicator keeps messages moving when cell service disappears so you can stay connected no matter how far you go
🔧 The @rammounts Quick-Grip Pro Vibration Damping Phone Mount + Tough Mirrors keep your view steady and your navigation locked in mile after mile
🍁 Come see it in person this weekend at Overland Expo East! Tickets and more info on this epic moto build at @overlandexpo’s link in bio
@ok4wd is the premier vehicle outfitting shop on the East Coast, and they’re bringing the excitement to Overland Expo East!
Join the crew Friday night at the Oasis Bar & Food Court for the OK4WD x Mountain State Overland Video Premiere! An event you won’t want to miss!
Plus, OK4WD will have exclusive deals all weekend long on top overland brands like @alucab_usa, GP Factor, and more.
Come hang out, connect with the community, and gear up for your next adventure.
Welcome to Camp @Subaru_usa at Overland Expo East this weekend! Come by throughout the event to see the latest Subaru models, meet with the Subaru Accessories team and a Rally 101 with Rhianon Gelsomino!
Stop by the Subaru booth Friday from 7-9pm for Camp Subaru LIVE! featuring singer-songwriters from Nashville and Saturday from 10-2 for a pet adoption event.
Don’t forget to stop by and play their instant win game for a chance to win a Thule Rooftop
tent or a Ride1Up Bike!
🍁 Overland Expo East is THIS WEEKEND! 🍁
It’s our final event of the year, and we’ve got an epic lineup planned for you. Get ready for:
✔️ 200+ brands showcasing top-tier adventure rigs & gear
✔️ 250+ classes & demos from overland pros
✔️ Happy hours, networking, parties, and special events
✔️ Show specials, giveaways, and raffles
✔️ Gorgeous on-site camping
✔️ And lots more!
🎟️ Camping, Weekend, & Day Passes are still available - hit the link in bio to grab yours!
🔥 Who’s rolling in? Let us know in the comments and tag your crew 👇
Thunderer Tires is proud to roll into Overland Expo East, happening next week in Arrington, Virginia—the premier event for overlanding, off-road adventure, and outdoor exploration.
🛞 As an official sponsor, @thunderer_tire is showcasing its rugged lineup of all-terrain and mud-terrain tires built for those who demand reliability on every journey.
👉 Stop by the Thunderer Tires booth to see the latest Thunderer Trac Grip M/T and R/T lines, learn more about innovations designed for overland rigs, and connect with experts who live and breathe adventure.
🛻 This year, Thunderer is taking it up a notch with exciting activations, including an RC racecar contest that brings out your competitive side and a chance to win a free set of Thunderer tires—the perfect upgrade for your next expedition.
From hands-on demos to exclusive giveaways, Thunderer Tires invites you to experience performance, durability, and the spirit of exploration at Overland Expo East.
THE WORLD IS OUT THERE GO SEE IT!
Join attendees from all over the world at this year’s Overland Expo East in Arrington, VA.