Tales from the Trail: Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Scenic Byway
Eva Rupert takes the Ultimate Overland Motorcycle, a Yamaha Ténéré 700, from Arizona to Oregon and discovers the formula for a perfect adventure ride along the way.
Guide toFlagstaff, AZ
Overland Expo WEST is located in Flagstaff, Arizona, an area full of mountain trails, unmatched scenery, and fascinating history.
MAY 15-17, 2026
FT. TUTHILL COUNTY PARK // FLAGSTAFF, AZ, USA
FRI 9-5 | SAT 9-5 | SUN 9-3
ABOUT THE VENUE
FORT TUTHILL
This historic property is just minutes from downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, the gateway to the Grand Canyon and Four Corners region. Fort Tuthill is Coconino County’s fairgrounds, with easy paved access just off Interstate 17 and across from the international airport; buildings and ramadas; organized campground for 1000 units plus adjacent unlimited Coconino National Forest dry camping; and best of all, all-weather access with pine trees throughout. The site also has an adventure ropes course and miles of mountain bike trails. We will run a free shuttle to and from parking and hotels in southern Flagstaff throughout the weekend.
DRIVING TIMES TO FLAGSTAFF:
- Los Angeles via I-15 to I-40: 7 hrs
- Denver via I-25 to I-40: 11 hrs
- Salt Lake City via I-15 to I-40: 8 hrs
- Albuquerque via I-40: 4.5 hrs
- Phoenix via I-17: 2 hrs
OVERLAND ROUTES & RESOURCES
Trips & Trails: Copper Bottom Pass & El Paso Pipeline Road
If you’re headed to Overland Expo West from Southern California, it’s always a good idea to
Trips & Trails: Crown King Road and Senator Highway in Arizona
Crown King Road and Senator Highway in north-central Arizona is a reminder that this state has
Trips & Trails: The Cinder Hills of Northern Arizona
If you’ve ever wanted to overland on the moon, this is as close you can get. The Cinder Hills OHV Area resembles the moon’s surface, partially because NASA pockmarked a portion of the Cinder Lakes area to match the Apollo landing sites with a series of controlled explosions in 1967.
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?
OVERLAND ROUTE GUIDES
Plan an exploratory trip with friends before or after the event. The trails are suitable for an adventure motorcycle or 4WD vehicle.
The Coconino National Forest Service has additional maps you can download: http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/coconino/maps-pubs
ACCOMODATIONS
HOTELS AROUND FLAGSTAFF
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 Flagstaff.
RV PARKS IN THE FLAGSTAFF AREA:
- Woody Mountain
- Kit Carson
- Happy Jack (Mormon Lake area)
- Lake Mary RV Park & Store (Mormon Lake area)
Check out reviews of various RV Parks and Campgrounds in the area.
CAMPING
Camp at the Fort Tuthill’s premier 413-acre regional park, nestled in the cool Ponderosa pine forest 3 miles south of Flagstaff. Camping areas include RV and tent sites with picnic tables, fire rings, nearby portable toilets, and water spigots. Reservations begin in December.
NATIONAL FOREST CAMPGROUNDS
Nearly the entire Coconino National forest has backcountry camping along most Forest Roads.
DISPERSED CAMPING
For those who prefer more solitude, dispersed camping is also allowed in Coconino National Forest. For a detailed guide to regulations and suggested sites, see: Dispersed camping.
FOOD & DRINK
MACY'S COFFEE
It’s impossible to imagine Flagstaff without Macy’s, the hippie-esque coffee shop on Beaver Street just south of the railroad tracks. It feels like it’s been there forever, although it only opened in 1980. The triple latte is practically breakfast on its own—but don’t cheat yourself of their waffles, biscuits and gravy, or even the homemade granola.
CRIOLLO
You can’t go wrong with a selection here. The ingredients are all sourced as locally as possible, including Arizona beef. Unlike many restaurants that do dinner well but fall down on dessert, Criollo keeps up the momentum all the way through. There isn’t a better restaurant in the state, counting quality, imagination, service, and price.
DIABLO BURGER
In Heritage Square, serve up outstanding burgers, fries, and brews; meats and many ingredients are entirely local to northern Arizona, and entirely addictive. Arrive hungry.
CAMPUS COFFEE BEAN
Despite its location in a strip mall, the Campus Coffee Bean is another favorite, with easier parking than Macy’s and more room for larger groups. In addition to breakfast, they offer a full lunch menu. If you think you’re a hard-core coffee drinker, try the Hammerhead—three shots of espresso in a full cup of regular coffee.
THE GALAXY DINER
Imagine the perfect diner to front historic Route 66, and you get the Galaxy. The waitresses don’t ride roller skates, but that’s about the only period trick missing here. And it’s not just a re-creation—the Galaxy has been around since the 1950s.
FLAGSTAFF BREWING COMPANY
The Flagstaff Brewing Company opened in 1994 in a 19th-century building right off Highway 66, is a low-key favorite and also the place to sample High Spirits’ amazing single malt, Arizona whisky (finished in mesquite-smoked barrels).
THINGS TO DO
There are several fine destinations for a pre- or post-Expo tour of northern Arizona and adjacent states: Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley, Wupatki, Sunset Crater, Chaco Canyon, Moab, historic Navajo trading posts, Zion National Park, Capitol Reef, historic Route 66, Sedona, Glen Canyon, Meteor Crater . . . trust us, you won’t run out of possibilities.
TRAILS
- Cinder Hills OHV Area — 13,500 acre OHV area. There is both open riding and miles of single-track trails. Dispersed camping is allowed but there are no facilities such as water or restrooms. Map and info here: Arizona OHV Trails and Maps
- Arizona Trail — Mountain biking, hiking, horseback — Mormon Lake section (passes through the event site)
HISTORIC SITES
- Historic trading posts: Blending the old world with the new, the Navajo Nation has preserved some of the old west with Trading Posts that are still in business today. Many of these are located in the original buildings from the late 1800s
- Historic Route 66: Since 1926, driving down Route 66 has been the experience of a lifetime
CHECK OUT WHAT'S NEW #OVERLANDEXPO
2025, you were one for the books ✨
This year was packed with epic adventures, incredible rigs, innovative gear, inspiring education, and—most importantly—this incredible community. Huge thank you to all our attendees, exhibitors, instructors, and staff for making 2025 such an amazing ride 🙌
Ready to do it all again? Join us in 2026 and keep the adventure rolling 🚙💨
🔥 Early Bird tickets are available through 12/31—grab yours now to lock in the lowest prices available
Here’s to more miles, more memories, and more adventures ✌️
We’re counting down to an incredible 2026 season together—and here’s your friendly reminder: passes for all five Overland Expo events are currently at the lowest prices of the year, but only through 12/31 ⏳
This is your moment to save big, lock in your plans, and start dreaming up unforgettable road trips with friends old and new 🌅
👉 Grab your passes before time runs out—and let’s hit the road together. We can`t wait to see you next year!
This year’s inaugural Overland Expo SoCal blew us away — over 19,000 people came out to experience it. And you bet we’re planning an epic event for 2026 as well 🎉
Expect hundreds of brands, incredible vehicles, game changing gear, plenty of education sessions, a huge gear raffle, sponsored Happy Hour, hosted parties, and so much more. It’s going to be one incredible weekend!
🔥 Inside Tip: Camping Passes for this event are extremely limited. Snag yours now to turn the weekend into a full-on adventure.
Camping on-site gives you the best access to:
🏕️ Inspiring camp setups
✌️ Like-minded travelers
🚙 Vendors, classes, demos
🥳 Evening + after-hours fun
🎟️ Early Bird pricing ends 12/31. Grab your tickets now and save — see you in SoCal!
Here are 9 new, innovative overland products you’ll want to check out—from innovative camp gear to rugged vehicle upgrades.
👉 Swipe through for a quick look, then head to The Compass at OverlandExpo.com (link in bio) for the full roundup with all the details.
Which one would you add to your kit?
As we gear up for an epic 2026, we’ve been reminiscing on all the incredible moments that made 2025 unforgettable ✨ From new launches to community milestones, this year was packed with adventure and smiling faces.
There are way more highlights than we could ever fit into one post—but here are a few standout memories from each event that immediately came to mind:
🔸Photos 1 & 2: The first-ever Overland Expo SoCal kicked off with a line that wrapped around the event (complete with its own beer 🍺)
🔸Photo 3: @jeep + @dometic launched their new rooftop tent collab at Overland Expo West
🔸Photo 4: The 2025 Ultimate Overland Build took on the off-road training course at Overland Expo PNW
🔸Photo 5: @rc_x_overland and @traxxas hosted the first official RC track for both kids and adults at Overland Expo Mountain West
🔸Photo 6: @msoverland + @ok4wd premiered their film to a full house and gave us all the feels at Overland Expo East
What’s your favorite memory from this year? Drop it below! 👇
🔥 Be sure to join us in 2026! Early bird tickets are on sale through 12/31—get your tickets at the lowest price available!
#OverlandExpo #FlashbackFriday #OverlandEvent #OverlandCommunity
Power your adventures sustainably 🌎 @jackeryusa delivers clean, portable energy that helps you explore freely, protect the planet, and stay prepared—wherever life takes you.
👉 Discover the full story on The Compass at OverlandExpo.com—link in bio
A HUGE thank you to every attendee, camper, brand, instructor, volunteer, and staff member — YOU are what make this community and these events so special ✨
Thank you for showing up—traveling across the country, sharing your stories and skills, lending a hand, inspiring others, and bringing the stoke (and the smiles) all season long 🤙
Check out the recap pages under each event on our website to explore photo galleries packed with highlights—you might spot yourself!
Wishing you all a happy, adventure-filled Thanksgiving 🧡 What are you grateful for?
The Overland Expo Black Friday Gear Sale is on! 🔥 Score 20% off all merch in our Gear Shop with the code OVERLANDEXPOBF
👉 Tap the link in bio to shop and save on gifts for yourself and your loved ones.
⏳ Sale ends Dec 5
THE WORLD IS OUT THERE GO SEE IT!
Join attendees from all over the world at this year’s Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, AZ.