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 16-18, 2025
FT. TUTHILL COUNTY PARK // FLAGSTAFF, AZ, USA
FRI 8-5 | SAT 8-5 | 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 LOVELAND 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
When adventure calls, you answer. K&N ensures that your rig is ready to take on any challenge nature throws at you. Built to withstand dusty trails and rocky paths, their filtration systems let your engine breathe easy so you can focus on what matters most: enjoying the journey.
Go further, explore more, with @knfilters ⛰️
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#knfilters #adventureawaits #overlandadventure #exploremore
Here’s a roundup of the best Toyotas of 2024 that stole the show at this year’s Overland Expo events 🔥
Which one’s your favorite? Did we miss any? Let us know below 👇
Come to our 2025 events to see more epic, adventure-ready Toyotas and all the gear options to kit them out 🏔️
🎥 @rick_stowe
Featuring:
@simon4runner
@bound.for.nowhere
@explorationquarterly
@peaksuspension
@elevatedoverland
@expion360
@adventurehammocksystems
@msoverland
@sherpaec
@intrepidcampgear
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@toyotausa #Toyota #OverlandExpo #AdventureReady #OverlandVehicles #OverlandTrucks #toyotagram #toyotalife #toyotafreaks #toyotatrucks #toyotalove
ANTISHANTY builds ultralight, fully hard-sided, all-aluminum, four-season adventure dwellings designed to adapt to any outdoor lifestyle.
Each product is built with the team’s hobbies in mind, including off-roading, mountain biking, dirt biking, skiing, hunting, and fishing. No matter the product, you can enjoy breathtaking views and the ultimate indoor-outdoor experience, whether opening the A-frame doors from the lofted queen bed of the AS-1 trailer or opening the three
side doors on the RTD and DWELL SHELL for a 270 degree view. Each product is built to last with no wood or canvas to rot or mold.
DWELL DIFFERENT and enhance your outdoor lifestyle to the fullest with ANTISHANY. Learn more at the link in bio 🏕️
🎥 @antishantyusa
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#antishanty #dwelldifferent #USA #outside #hardsided #modular
Not that you needed any convincing 😉
What’s your favorite part of Overland Expo?
If you’ve never been, be sure to join us for an event (or a few!) in 2025. We’ve got an incredible lineup and our team is working hard behind the scenes planning the best year
yet!
🎟️ Early Bird tickets for all 2025 events are on sale now! Lock in your spot and save before prices go up 12/31 🔥
We can’t wait to see you!
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#overlandexpo #overlandevent #overlandcommunity #overlandrigs #overlandvehicles #overlandgear
Tired of apps that crash before you do? Gaia GPS is built to go the distance, just like you.
Whether you’re tackling epic trails, finding the perfect campsite, or overlanding into uncharted territory, @gaiagps has your back with reliable offline maps, real-time weather, and trip planning tools that won’t quit on you.
🗺️ Subscribe for premium features like pro-level map layers and faster downloads. Say goodbye to “app not responding” and hello to adventures done right.
#gaiagps #adventureoffroad
Ready to make an overlander’s holiday dreams come true? From rugged gear to epic travel essentials, our Holiday Gift Guide has everything the adventurer in your life will love.
Whether they’re hitting the trails or camping under the stars, these picks are sure to fuel their next journey 🌲
🔥 You’ll find exclusive holiday offers in this guide as well, so you can score a gift for your adventure partner (or for yourself 😉) at a discount.
🎁 Check out the guide now and find the perfect gift! (Link in bio)
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#Overlanding #HolidayGiftGuide #AdventureAwaits #GearUp #OverlandLife #OverlandGear
Treat your truck or SUV with the tire it deserves! The Open Country R/T Trail is built for light-truck and SUV owners seeking greater off-road capability than a standard all-terrain tire, without the noise and harshness of a dedicated mud tire.
🎥 @ToyoTires
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#ToyoTires #TeamToyo #TougherTire
As we head into the holiday weekend here in the U.S., we want to say how incredibly grateful we are for YOU. This incredible overlanding and adventure travel community is truly something special.
To our attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, instructors, and event staff - and to everyone who shares our passion for exploring the world on four wheels (or two!) - thank you for making every event an unforgettable adventure.
We hope you enjoy the holiday weekend! Here’s to many more miles and memories together 🏔️
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#OverlandExpo #ThankfulForAdventure #OverlandingCommunity #overlandcommunity #overlandevent #grateful
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.