First Overland Adventure: Snowflakes and Bouncing Babies
Bill Dragoo recounts his first overland adventure. In the fall of 1980, Bill bullheadedly dragged his young family up Pearl Pass, the wrong direction, in a Jeep CJ-7 in a blizzard.
GUIDE TOLOVELAND, CO
Overland Expo MOUNTAIN WEST is located in Loveland, Colorado near the Rocky Mountains, Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Denver, CO.
AUGUST 23-25, 2024
THE RANCH // LOVELAND, CO, USA
FRI 8-5 | SAT 8-5 | SUN 9-3
ABOUT THE VENUE
THE RANCH
Since 2003, The Ranch Events Complex has been earning the reputation as one of the premier event and entertainment complexes in the region. With the ability to host anything from a board meeting to tens of thousands of music festival fans, the multi-purpose venues on the campus of The Ranch are not only known locally as a place for entertainment but is also a nationally recognized event destination.
DRIVING TIMES TO THE RANCH:
- Denver, CO via I-25: 1 hr
- Cheyenne, WY via I-25: 1 hr
- Salt Lake City, UT via I-80 to I-25: 7 hrs
- Amarillo, TX via US 287 to I-70: 7 hrs
- Albuquerque, NM via I-25: 7 hrs
OVERLAND ROUTES & RESOURCES
Tales from the Trail: Colorado’s Alpine Loop
A group of Overland Expo ambassadors and exhibitors wind their way to Overland Expo Mountain West 2022 through Colorado’s Alpine Loop.
Trips & Trails: Moody Hill Road – FSR #513
If you are looking for a quick, scenic trail on the way into or the way
Trips & Trails: Russell Gulch, Colorado
If you like your backcountry trips easy-but-adventurous, and full of history, you won’t want to miss Russell Gulch, a largely abandoned mining town in Colorado.
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 | ADVride| 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 Loveland.
RV PARKS IN THE LOVELAND 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 Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest offers several campgrounds, click HERE for a list of campgrounds.
DISPERSED CAMPING
Dispersed camping is allowed in the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest. More Info.
FOOD & DRINK
THE COFFEE TREE
Where good things grow! The Coffee Tree is dedicated to serving the best coffee. Their coffees are freshly-roasted and expertly prepared in the artisan fashion, with an emphasis on quality, presentation and efficient friendly service.
BENT FORK THE GRILL
A locally-owned independent restaurant, Bent Fork the Grill serves a diverse offering of traditional dishes that are inventive, fresh, and flavorful in a distinctive environment of casual sophistication.
NORDY’S BAR-B-QUE & GRILL
For over 25 years, the Nordhagen family has been working on and serving up hungry people in Northern Colorado. Out from their hickory pit smoker comes the most mouth-watering, slow-cooked ribs, brisket, sausage, and pork that you have ever tasted.
THE DONUT HAUS
Come for donuts, leave with love! The story of The Donut Haus began more than 3 decades ago in Estes Park, Colorado where German baker, Dieter D’Alquen, started making donuts in an old gas station. Today, you find Lois and Mary Ann at their “haus” in Orchards Shopping Center where they serve fresh handmade donuts, bagels, pies, cakes, brownies, breakfast burritos, and more.
ARTE PIZZERIA
Arte Pizzeria has been proudly serving the best pizza, calzones and salads in Loveland, Colorado for over a decade. We are a family owned business, and our artisan recipes are crafted with Italian traditions, a focus on quality and excellent customer service. We shred our own whole milk mozzarella cheese, grind our own pizza sauce, and only use the freshest ingredients.
THINGS TO DO
Not sure what you want to do, but want to know what is available in the area? Visit Loveland has suggestions for the art lover, foodie, adventurer and more. The Ranch can also help you Plan Your Visit to Loveland and make the most of your time in Northern Colorado. Colorado is full of adventure. Looking to travel before or after the show? Colorado Tourism can help you plan your travels.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARKS
No trip to Colorado is complete without a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park. Only one hour from The Ranch, let this park take your breath away with beautiful vistas, wildlife around every corner, and starry dark sky nights. These 10 hikes will get you and enjoying the best of Rocky Mountain National Park.
HIKING
Get lost in the beautiful pine forests of the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest with a great hike! Limitless options are available at Hiking Project.
Southern Colorado is home to the Colorado Trail, 485 miles of recreational trail that crosses Colorado from Denver to Durango.
Devil’s Backbone Nature Trail is right outside of Loveland, perfect for a morning or evening trek.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Colorado is home to 4 of the 5 best mountain biking destinations in the country. View the list on Singletracks.com. Bicycle rentals and guides available. Use Velolet to find a shop wherever you find yourself in Colorado.
MTB Project or Singletracks also have maps and suggestions for great trails in Colorado.
FISHING
The City of Loveland is surrounded by a number of lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers. You don’t have to venture very far to find a great place to fish.
Species: Trout, walleye, bass, perch, bluegill, catfish, and more
Take a guided trip with Northern Colorado Fishing Outfitters LLC. Let them show you the best well-kept secrets in Northern Colorado.
Fly & Ride
Where to rent motorcycles?
Although motorcycle rentals are not available locally in Loveland, you can fly to the surrounding areas and rent adventure motorcycles at:
Denver, CO – Eagle Rider
Aurora, CO – Colorado Tour Bikes
Denver, CO – Twisted Roads (motorcycle sharing community)
Enjoy a ride through Rocky Mountain National Park or any of the front range mountains before or after Overland Expo.
CHECK OUT WHAT'S NEW #OVERLANDEXPO
What is overlanding?🏕️
The term “overlanding” has gained different meanings in recent years, but at its core overlanding is all about self-sufficient travel where the journey itself is the ultimate goal.✅
Tap the link in our bio or head over to YouTube to watch the latest Overland Essentials episode and learn more about Overlanding.🔗🎬
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@graham.l.jackson #overlandessentials #overland #overlanding #whatisoverlanding #overlandingusa
Let’s talk overland trailers📢🛞
The overland and off-road trailer scene has exploded in popularity in recent years, providing endless options for those looking to expand their backcountry camping space.
In our last Gear Showcase of 2023, we’ve compiled some of our favorite overland trailers. Swipe thru and check them out!
What are your first impressions of our list? Is there another overland trailer you’d like to see included? Let us know in the comments!💭
#overlandexpo #overlandtrailer #overlandcamper #overlanding
🚨New Product Alert!🚨
Introducing the game-changer in rooftop camping: @antishantyusa’s Dwell Shell Cap and Camper System!⛺️
Say goodbye to traditional rooftop tents — this solid-walled RTT, made up of insulated aluminum and composite materials, folds up origami-style to fit perfectly inside the protective lid.
What are your first impressions of the new AntiShanty product?
Check out our website for the full scoop on this new innovative camper system.🔗
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#overlandexpo #antishanty #antishantydwellshell #dwellshell #overlanding #antishantyusa #rooftoptent #rtt
Taking training at Overland Expo to new heights in 2024!🧭
Overland Expo has been home to hands-on training and educational opportunities for over a decade. Shifting to a one-day format, we are excited to revamp Overland Expo Training for 2024!
The Overland Expo Training pass can be added to any camping or day pass packages. Link in our bio to learn more about training in 2024.🔗
*Overland Expo Training is only available for PNW*
Get adventure-ready with Firestone Destination XTs 🛞
These rugged tires deliver the grip you need to conquer any trail, while providing a smooth drive and minimal road noise for those pavement stretches.
If you are seeking a great tire choice with outstanding traction and durability both on and off the trail, look no further! Tap the link in our bio to read our latest review and first impressions!🔗
@firestonetires @rick_stowe #firestone #firestonetires #overlandexpo #overlandtires #offroadtires #overland #overlanding
In the latest episode of Cooking With Corso, @outdooreats365 teaches how to change up your typical desserts when camping and out on the trail with his delicious Apple Date Crisp recipe!😋
This recipe is a great alternative to the traditional s’mores around the fire, only requiring a few ingredients and less than 30 minutes to make!
Head over to YouTube to check out the new episode, presented by @benchmadeknifecompany! Link in our bio.🔗
🎥 @brooks_roe
#chefcorso #cookingwithcorso #outdooreats #outdooreats365 #benchmade #benchmadeknives
2024 tickets are NOW on-sale!🎟
2024 Events Details 👇
West — Flagstaff, AZ 🏜 May 17-19
PNW — Redmond, OR 🌲 June 28-30
Mtn West — Loveland, CO ⛰ Aug 23-25
East — Arrington, VA 🏕 Oct 4-6
Which events will you be attending next year?
Click the link in our bio to get your tickets today!🔗 See you in 2024!
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#overlandexpo #overlandexpo2024 #overlandexpowest #overlandexpopnw #overlandexpomountainwest #overlandexpomtnwest #overlandexpoeast #overland #overlandevent #overlandevents #overlanding #overlandusa #overland4x4
Check this out!🤯
Have you seen this new truck bed camper from @officialcamp365? Dubbed the “T Model”, this truck bed-based system is a fresh take on hard-sided tent setups.
Camp365 assures it will fit most pickups, including electric haulers like the Tesla Cybertruck and Rivian R1T.⚡️
What are your first thoughts on the model T? Tap the link in our bio to learn more.🔗
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#camp365 #tmodel #modelt #truckbedcamper #bedcamper #truckbed #overlandexpo
THE WORLD IS OUT THERE GO SEE IT!
Join attendees from all over the world at this year’s Overland Expo MTN in Loveland, CO.
Photo by @TheAdventurePortal