A Big, Bold Weekend in Loveland, Colorado
Four out of five events down for 2025! Overland Expo Mountain West brought the overlanding community together in Loveland, Colorado for three epic days of over 300 education session hours, community networking, insane rigs, and lots of gear. The Ranch was filled with over 18,000 overlanding enthusiasts traveling from 49 states, and xx countries. Missed it? Here’s a rundown of what made this weekend so awesome, from the highlights and lessons learned, to the community moments that make this event truly special.
Attendees were here to shop gear, share meals at food trucks, clank cans at happy hours, and tell stories around the campfires. It felt like a reunion of adventurers, where strangers became friends, and advice flowed freely.
- Avantlink welcomed exhibitors and any campers already onsite on Thursday with a Welcome Happy Hour to kick off the weekend and a private networking event to connect brands and content creators.
- Friday’s Bowen Customs Happy Hour celebrated Made in the USA with flags, denim, and lots of camaraderie.
- After Happy Hour, massive crowds joined the Toyota Game Night to win prizes from surprise celebrity guest, Jamie Little.
- Rider Justice also hosted the Moto Party Friday night, and brought adventure riders together for an evening of food, drinks, live music, and raffle.
- Saturday brought Aussie vibes to life with Kaymar’s outback-inspired Happy Hour, kangaroos and cheers included.
- Camp Subaru LIVE! kept the energy going with live music, snacks, and drinks late into Saturday afternoon.
- Women Who Wander fireside networking created a welcoming space for mentorship, connection, and candid Q&A with Chloe Kuo.
- RCX Overland Trail Course – an instant family favorite – brought a hand-crafted RC off-road course designed for all ages, all rigs, and all skill levels. Sponsored by RCX Overland and TRAXXAS.
The Overland Expo Foundation Charity Raffle
wrapped up Saturday night with a mountain of prizes and record breaking support, raising over $17,000 for the foundation!
Every corner of the event was alive with conversation—trail stories, gear tips, solar setups, border-crossing advice—practical knowledge shared by people who’ve been there.
One of the core values at any Overland Expo is education, and the lineup at Overland Expo Mountain West went deep. With approximately 300 classes, demos, and workshops, attendees left inspired and better prepared for their next adventure.
- ADV Skills Area: For all things moto, the ADV Skills Area included stories of Motorcycling Across Mongolia, education on Buying vs Renting a Motorcucle Abroad, and what it would look like to live on your motorcycle for six years solo.
- Backcountry & Culinary Pavilion – Sponsored by Rugged Luxury Motors: Survival meets creativity. Chef Chad White’s “Ceviche in the Wild” redefined camp cooking, while first-aid and field skills grounded attendees in safety and self-sufficiency.
- Hands-On Pavilion: Real tools, real skills. Tire repair demos and Scott Jensen’s Overland Radio Lab turned theory into action, while first-aid sessions with Lee Vernon gave attendees practical takeaways.
- Kids Adventure Area: Family activities like a popular RC driving course and educational sessions such as “Overlanding as a Kid,” where young travelers shared tips for fun, successful family adventures.
- Overland Essentials Area – Sponsored by GME Pty Ltd: Perfect for anyone wanting to learn or refresh the basics. Sessions on trip planning, navigation, and communications, like Graham Jackson’s planning fundamentals, were packed with essential knowledge.
- Roundtable Pavilion: Interactive Q&A sessions, where experts shared travel insights on budgeting, medicine, and destinations, helping overlanders turn dreams into plans with practical advice on topics like Alaska ferries and Baja permits.
- Storytelling Pavilion: A source of true inspiration. Patty Upton’s journey across 56,000 miles, including the Darien Gap, left everyone spellbound.
- The Learning Lab – Sponsored by Wanderbox: A new addition and a huge hit. Small-group sessions on budgeting, mission-driven travel, and trip planning created deep, focused learning opportunities.
- Women Who Wander Pavilion – Sponsored by Chrysler: Empowering sessions on vehicle mastery, solo travel, and safety mixed with honest, community-driven conversations.
Speaking of Chrysler, they debuted a one-of-a-kind Pacifica overlanding concept vehicle, proving that adventure can be family-friendly and incredibly capable. Outfitted with a lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, and a rooftop tent, this minivan concept sparked conversations all weekend about the future of accessible, comfortable family exploration.
For many, the rigs are a highlight, and this year’s Showcase & DIY Vehicle Area did not disappoint. From budget builds to cutting-edge expedition vehicles, every corner sparked curiosity and inspiration.
- The Lostetters’ Toyota Tundra family camper, with its smart interior design and pop-top versatility, was a masterclass in functional family travel.
- Mike and Deb Lee’s military-grade Stewart & Stevenson LMTV M1079 wowed with its off-grid capability and thoughtful habitat design.
- Edmund Haemmerle’s Cybertruck camper setup demonstrated the potential of EVs in overlanding, complete with a matching trailer for extended stays.
- Ine and Hans Korremans’ WOELCKE Runner R6 Mercedes Sprinter showcased German engineering at its finest, blending efficiency with comfort for long hauls.
Exhibitor booths also offered endless exploration, with clever innovations ranging from seat organizers to modular kitchens, lithium power setups, and lightweight shelters.
With 347 exhibitors on site, there was something for everyone. Attendees shopped for gear, tested products, learned with brands offering demos, product previews, and show-exclusive discounts. And for those who wanted to get behind the wheel, RAM’s Ride & Drive course provided real-world experience, helping attendees build confidence and refine their driving skills on a custom off-road track.
If one word could describe this year’s event, it would be community. From first-time attendees finding their footing to seasoned travelers sharing decades of wisdom, the weekend was a reminder of how fulfilling and inclusive overlanding can be. If you were there, you know how special it was. If you missed it, mark your calendars for next year; August 21 – 23, 2026, and come ready to learn, connect, and be inspired. Want to read more on the post-event stats? Check out the event recap page here.
The world is waiting—let’s go explore.
