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 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
Join @xoverland at Booth Q36 at Overland Expo West for a behind-the-scenes look at their latest Spirit of Adventure series—and get the inside story on their most ambitious expedition yet: a 25,000-mile journey across the globe that’s officially underway.
You`ll be able to meet some of the team, explore a few of their latest builds, and hear real stories from the road. Plus, don’t miss your chance to enter “The Big Thing” Giveaway, packed with all kinds of prizes!
📍Booth Q36 | 📅 Overland Expo West
Kick back, relax, fill up your water bottles, and charge your devices at the BIVVYS at Overland Expo West. You`ll find three located throughout the event, and each will be stocked with water, chairs, and charging stations so you can take a break and recharge in between all the action. 💧🔋
Thank you to our 2025 Overland Expo West BIVVY sponsors:
@blackrhinowheels
@bosslightingusa
@hankooktire
🎟️ Get your tickets at the link in bio or overlandexpo.com/west if you haven`t already!
🌄 Arrowhead INEOS Grenadier is hitting the trail as a Title Sponsor of Overland Expo West 2025! 🌄
Join them May 16–18 in Flagstaff, AZ as they bring the power and purpose of the INEOS Grenadier to the heart of the overlanding community.
As Arizona’s exclusive Grenadier dealership and the INEOS Southwest Headquarters, their team lives and breathes off-road adventure. Whether you’re gearing up for remote trails or just getting started in the overland lifestyle, they’ve got the rigs, knowledge, and passion to help you go further.
🔧 Explore their lineup of rugged, adventure-ready 4x4s
🧭 Meet certified INEOS Grenadier experts and fellow enthusiasts
🏞 Learn more about their custom builds, pre-order capabilities, flexible financing options & the ability to deliver your vehicle anywhere in the US
🌍 Celebrate the spirit of overland travel and the protection of public lands
📍 Just hours from their Phoenix-based HQ, Flagstaff is the perfect place to connect. Let’s talk trail capability, travel plans, and preserving access for future generations.
✅ Come find them at Overland Expo West!
👉 @ineosgrenadierarrowhead
☀️ Summer adventures are calling — are you ready?
We’ve rounded up some of the hottest new overlanding gear to elevate your warm-weather escapes, from cutting-edge roof racks and camp kitchens to off-road tires, skid plates, and more.
👉 Swipe through to see highlights from our Summer Gear Showcase, then head to the link in bio for the full roundup with all the details and start dreaming up your next trip! 🏕️🚙💨
What’s on your summer wishlist?👇
📍 Booth P1 - Four Wheel Campers is back as a sponsor of Overland Expo West, bringing the latest in overland innovation. Stand-outs on display: the all-new modular CampOut series and the Hawk+ Flatbed - now with more power, more water capacity, and more space and storage than ever before. It’s their most capable camper yet.
Swing by to explore the builds, meet the team, and get a first look at what’s new from the original pop-up truck camper company @fourwheelcampers 🌲
🛻💨 Overland Expo West is THIS WEEKEND!
👇 Who’s heading to Flagstaff?
Join us for an epic weekend packed with gear, rigs, education, community, and good times. West is the OG event and our biggest - you don’t want to miss it!
🎟️ Grab your tickets at overlandexpo.com/west (link in bio) and let’s make some memories ✨
Because the best campsites aren’t near convenience stores.
👋 Come visit @dometic at booth Q18 at Overland Expo West this year.
📍May 16-18 | Flagstaff, AZ
Gear up for Overland Expo West starting May 16th! As a proud sponsor, Pebble Mobility is excited to connect with the community and showcase their all-electric, hassle-free Pebble Flow travel trailer.
Stop by booth #Q46 to get an exclusive look at their modern designed trailer in action and chat with their expert staff. Can`t wait to see you there!
📸 @pebblenow
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.