
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.
Overland Expo WEST is located in Flagstaff, Arizona, an area full of mountain trails, unmatched scenery, and fascinating history.
MAY 14-16, 2027
FT. TUTHILL COUNTY PARK // FLAGSTAFF, AZ, USA
FRI 9-5 | SAT 9-5 | SUN 9-3
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.
Your Overland Expo West adventure kicks off the moment you hit the road. With Hipcamp, explore unique camping spots that make every step of the journey memorable.

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.

If you’re headed to Overland Expo West from Southern California, it’s always a good idea to

Crown King Road and Senator Highway in north-central Arizona is a reminder that this state has

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?
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
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.
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:
Check out reviews of various RV Parks and Campgrounds in the area.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Built for the journey. Ready for anything.
Make loading your roof rack easier with rugged grab handles built for adventure. Whether you`re heading into the backcountry, chasing mountain views, setting up camp, or escaping for the weekend, these handles give you a secure, comfortable grip when you need it most.
Made with 100% American-made paracord and durable stainless-steel hardware, they`re built to handle the elements and keep up with your adventures.
Built in America. Built for the outdoors. Built for wherever the road takes you.
Grab a pair and get ready for your next adventure!
@yota.twins
Shorter days don`t end the adventure. They just mean camp runs on headlamps, batteries and whatever the sun gave you that afternoon. 🔦
This month`s Gear Showcase covers power, lighting and solar: LED headlights, portable batteries, solar panels, headlamps, power panels and outdoor outlets built to carry your camp through the dark.
Read the full breakdown on The Compass, linked in our bio.
How many nights can your setup run off-grid?
#GearShowcase #OverlandExpo #Overlanding #OffGridPower #CampLighting
Plans for the weekend: nothing. Plans for Overland Expo East: every booth and class already circled. 😎
Join us for our last event of the year. Overland Expo East, October 23-25, in Arrington, Virginia.
🎟️ Buy tickets using the link in bio
📍 Oak Ridge Estate
#OverlandExpo #Virginia #Rigs #Gear #Classes
Virginia is full of mountain roads, hidden campsites, scenic views, and plenty of reasons to stay a little longer. 🏔️🚙
Save these travel ideas for your trip to Overland Expo East.
Read more on The Compass for the full roundup of routes, local stops, and trip ideas. Link in bio.
What`s your favorite stop?
📍Oak Ridge Estate, Arrington, Virginia
🗓️ October 23-25, 2026
#OverlandExpo #BlueRidgeMountains #Overlanding #ExploreVirginia #Camping
The exhibitor list for Overland Expo East is live. 🔥
Join us Oct. 23-25 at Oak Ridge Estate in Arrington, VA, with 200+ exhibitors across overland, adventure travel, outdoor, camping and moto gear.
New to overlanding or a few builds deep, you’ll find your people here.
Full exhibitor list at the link in our bio.
Title Sponsors:
@jeep, @subaru_usa, and @gowanderbox
Supporting Sponsors:
@nokiantyresna and @urbanxcampers
Specials Area & Event Sponsors:
@toyotires, @nexentireusa, @overlandexpofoundation, @bfgoodrichtires, @storytelleroverland, @midlandusa, and @devilsbackbonebrewingcompany
Media Sponsors:
@offroadtraveltv, @outdoorx4, @expeditionportal, @overlandjournal, @xoverland, @ovrmag, and @adventurerigsmag
#OverlandExpoEast #Overlanding #Exhibitors #Virignia #Gear
Happy National Public Lands Day!
Public lands are meant to be explored, respected and protected.
From Saturday 9/26 through Sunday 9/27, use code PublicLands5 on any Overland Expo East ticket, and we`ll donate $5 to the Overland Expo Foundation for every ticket purchased. Same price for you. Real support for public lands.
In 2025, the @OverlandExpoFoundation and its partners funded projects across the overland community focused on education, restoration, stewardship and veteran programs. Every one of these numbers started with someone who cares about public lands as much as you do.
Buy tickets using the link in bio.
#NationalPublicLandsDay #Overlanding #PublicLands #ProtectEducateExplore #OverlandExpo
Everyone’s already planning their October adventure. Are you? 👀
Join us for our last event of the year. Overland Expo East, Oct. 23-25 in Arrington, VA. 200+ exhibitors, classes all weekend long, community events, and more.
Buy tickets using the link in bio.
#OverlandExpoEast #Overlanding #Outdoors #Virginia #Camping
Every ticket helps restore the trails you love.
Meet @VentureUnknownFoundation, this year`s @OverlandExpoFoundation Charity Dinner beneficiary. They`ve cleaned and restored 755 miles of trails, hauled 260,000 pounds of trash off public lands, and continue to protect wild places.
Join us for a wild-foraged BBQ menu by Chef Natty from @food_for_adventures, play the 50/50 raffle and hear stories from recipients the Overland Expo Foundation has helped.
Overland Expo Foundation Charity Dinner
📍Oak Ridge Estate, Arrington, VA
📅 Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, 6-8 p.m.
Must be an Overland Expo East camper or exhibitor to attend. Dinner tickets are sold separately.
Buy your ticket using the link in bio.
#OverlandExpoFoundation #PublicLands #TrailRestoration
#VentureUnknownFoundation CharityDinne
Join attendees from all over the world at this year’s Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, AZ.