
Trips & Trails: Russell Gulch, Colorado
If you like your backcountry trips easy-but-adventurous, and full of history, you won’t want to miss Russell Gulch, a largely abandoned mining town in Colorado.
Overland Expo Mountain West is headed to Brighton, Colorado for 2027, with a new home at Riverdale Regional Park. Located just northeast of Denver, Brighton offers quick access to the airport, the greater Front Range, and a wide range of pre- and post-event Colorado adventures.
AUGUST 20-22, 2027
RIVERDALE REGIONAL PARK // BRIGHTON, CO, USA
FRI 9-5 | SAT 9-5 | SUN 9-3
Overland Expo Mountain West has a new Colorado home for 2027: Riverdale Regional Park in Brighton. With easier access to the Denver area and a venue built for large outdoor events, the new location gives attendees a practical, adventure-ready base for the weekend.
You land. You drive. You’re at the grounds before your coffee goes cold.
Brighton sits just northeast of Denver along Interstate 76 and Highway 85, with easy connections to Interstate 25 and Interstate 70. Getting in is simple whether you’re flying, towing or riding.
Riverdale Regional Park combines wide-open event space with major recent infrastructure upgrades, including improved roads, parking, pedestrian access, lighting, utilities, and a redesigned midway built for large public gatherings
The result is a venue built for movement, access, and all-day exploration—whether you’re arriving for classes, walking the exhibitor areas, meeting fellow overlanders, or settling in for a full weekend on site.
Riverdale Regional Park is a natural fit for Overland Expo Mountain West:
Riverdale Regional Park
9755 Henderson Rd
Brighton, CO 80601
Your Overland Expo Mountain West adventure kicks off the moment you hit the road. With Hipcamp, explore unique camping spots that make every step of the journey memorable.
BY ROAD:
Riverdale Regional Park is well-positioned for attendees coming from:
BY AIR:
For attendees flying in, Brighton benefits from close access to the Denver metro region and its major airport connections, making it easier to pair overland expo attendance with vehicle rentals, meetups, or added travel days before and after the event
Brighton is practical, accessible, and well-placed for travelers who want to build a longer itinerary around the expo.

If you like your backcountry trips easy-but-adventurous, and full of history, you won’t want to miss Russell Gulch, a largely abandoned mining town in Colorado.

A group of Overland Expo ambassadors and exhibitors wind their way to Overland Expo Mountain West 2022 through Colorado’s Alpine Loop.

For this Trips & Trails, Sterling Noren of Noren Films took Overland Expo’s 2021 Ultimate Overland Vehicle, Honda Africa Twin, on Aspen Ridge. The Honda Africa Twin will be a part of other storytelling throughout the year. Follow the 4Runner’s adventures on its official landing page.
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 | ADVride| Overland Bound
Looking for a scenic route that uses dirt, gravel, and paved roads to wind through remote parts of the region?
Camp on the grounds. This is where overlanders belong. Set up your rooftop tent, meet your neighbors and swap route notes around the fire. On-site camping puts you steps from the first session and the last conversation of the night. No commute. No missing out.
Book a room in Brighton or Denver. Brighton has hotels minutes from the venue. Denver adds hundreds more within a 30-minute drive. Reserve early. Rooms near the grounds fill fast.
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 Brighton.
RV PARKS IN THE BRIGHTON AREA:
Check out reviews of various RV Parks and Campgrounds in the area.
In order to keep our culture of off-the-beaten-path travel alive and well, all on-site camping is restricted to motorcycles, tents, overland vehicles, and small overland trailers ONLY.
CAMPGROUNDS IN THE AREA:
NATIONAL FOREST CAMPGROUNDS
The Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest offers several campgrounds, click HERE for a list of campgrounds.
DISPERSED CAMPING
Dispersed camping is allowed in the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest. More Info.
Land in Denver. Hit the Rockies. Flying in for Mountain West? Brighton’s location near the Denver metro area makes it easier to pair your expo trip with a rental vehicle, local pickup, or a longer Colorado moto itinerary before or after the event.
Although motorcycle rentals are not available locally in Brighton, you can fly to the surrounding areas and rent adventure motorcycles at:
Denver, CO – Eagle Rider
Aurora, CO – Colorado Tour Bikes
Denver, CO – Twisted Roads (motorcycle sharing community)
Enjoy a ride through Rocky Mountain National Park or any of the front range mountains before or after Overland Expo.
Brighton puts you within reach of both urban and outdoor Colorado experiences. Stay close to the venue, head into Denver for an extra day, or use the weekend as the start of a longer Front Range adventure.
Riverdale Regional Park connects to the South Platte River Trail, making it a convenient option for attendees who want to go for a walk, spin out on a bike, or get some fresh air close to camp or the venue.
If you want time outside before or after the event, Barr Lake State Park is a solid nearby stop for scenic drives, birdwatching, walking trails, and stretching your legs away from the showgrounds. The park has 21 miles of trails, a large wildlife area, and mountain-and-plains views that fit the overland mindset.
For a quick, easy outdoor side trip, take the 1.3-mile walk from the Nature Center to the Gazebo Boardwalk at Barr Lake State Park. It’s a good pick for attendees who want a low-effort nature stop, wildlife viewing, and a break from being in the vehicle all day.
Visit Berry Patch Farms, a local favorite for seasonal produce, pick-your-own fruit and flowers, and a relaxed farm setting that feels distinctly Colorado. It’s an easy way to slow down, stock up on something fresh, and enjoy a quieter side of Brighton beyond the event.
Brighton and the greater north metro/Denver corridor give attendees plenty of options for coffee, quick breakfasts, post-show dinners, and stock-up runs before heading back onto the road.
Keep the morning simple and close to the park. Dutch Bros Coffee has Brighton locations at 120 W Bridge St. and 2167 Prairie Center Parkway, both set up for quick pickup and drive-thru convenience.
If you want a more local café feel, Main Street Cafe is one of Brighton’s better-rated breakfast and coffee stops.
When you need something easy, stick with dependable local options. La Estrellita Mexican Restaurant is one of Brighton’s top-rated local restaurants, and Qdoba Mexican Grill is a solid quick-stop lunch option.
This is the stop most attendees will actually need. The most practical resupply run is in Brighton proper and along the Prairie Center Parkway / Bridge Street commercial area, where you’ll find the kind of everyday stops that make it easy to grab fuel, groceries, ice, snacks, and last-minute camp essentials without going far off route.
After a full day outdoors, keep dinner easy but worthwhile. Visit The Grill 165 North Main Street and Copper Rail Bar and Grill for classic sit-down option.
The community is already booking. Rigs are getting prepped. Bikes are getting reserved. The only question left is whether you’ll be on the grounds or hearing about it later.
Don’t ride this one from the sidelines.
Register now. Then plan your route.
Tickets coming soon!
And just like that, Overland Expo Mountain West 2026 is one for the books. 🙌
None of it happens without you. To our sponsors and to every adventurer who rolled in, showed up and shared their weekend with us, thank you!
Huge appreciation for our Title Sponsors:
@airstreamofcolorado, @elevationoffgrid, @fourwheelcampers, @pedersen_toyota, @ramtrucks, @winnebagorvs, @roa_off_road, @subaru_usa, @toyotausa, @gowanderbox, and Transwest
Grateful to our Supporting Sponsors:
@alldogsoffroadcoop, @visitloveland, @keldermantrucks, @alpharexusa, @mtnyotas, and @nokiantyresna
Thank you to our Special Area and Event Sponsors:
@bowen_customs, @earthroamer, @motorcycleriderjustice, @gme_usa, @hankooktireusa, @airdowngearup, @van_craft, @wanderfoxoverland_, @storytelleroverland, @peakperformancecampers, and @war_horse_all_terrain
And to our Media Partners:
@offroadtraveltv, @outdoorx4, @ovrmag, @expeditionportal, @overlandjournal, and @xoverland
Finally, to the overlanders who joined us: your stories, your spirit and your generosity turned a few days in Loveland, CO, into something we won’t forget. Next up is our final event of the year! Overland Expo East in Arrington, VA, Oct. 23-25.
#Overlanding #OverlandExpo #Colorado #ThankYou
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The @winnebagorvs x @transwestttrv Ride & Drive has been an absolute hit at Overland Expo Mountain West!
All weekend long, attendees have been getting behind the wheel of the Winnebago Revel, EKKO, and the all-new ARKA, putting these adventure-ready rigs to the test. Every reservation spot filled up, walk-ins kept the momentum going, and the feedback has been incredible.
A huge thanks to Winnebago and Transwest for creating such an unforgettable experience for our community. There’s still time to check it out! The Ride & Drive is running until 3 PM today. Get over there and see what all the excitement is about. 👊
#OverlandExpo #OverlandExpoMountainWest #Winnebago #Transwest #RideAndDrive VanLife Overlanding
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Day 2 hit different. 🔥
The stories, the rigs, and the late-night hangs. That’s the magic of rolling with a community that gets it.
Now it’s the final day of Overland Expo Mountain West, and there’s still plenty of good energy left before we roll out. Join us for Day 3 in beautiful Loveland, Colorado!
#OverlandExpo #Overlanding #AdventureTravel
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Day 3 of Overland Expo Mountain West is here! 🏔️
Sunday is your last shot to catch a class, grab that piece of gear you`ve been eyeing and trade a few more trail stories. Soak up every last minute of it.
New skills, new friends and a community that shows up for each other. That`s what these days are all about.
Swipe through for today`s final highlights. Head to overlandexpo.com for the full schedule!
Buy tickets online and save, link in bio!
📅 August 21-23 | The Ranch Events Complex, Loveland, CO
#OverlandExpoMW #OverlandExpo #Overlanding #Day3
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Maybe one of the most talked-about rigs at Overland Expo Mountain West?
@toyotausa brought this off-road concept vehicle built on the global Hilux platform, and attendees haven’t stopped checking it out all weekend. With a rugged overlanding-focused design, compact footprint, winch, lift, all-terrain tires, and capability to back it up, it’s Toyota’s vision of a purpose-built adventure rig with no unnecessary frills.
The verdict from the crowd? We’d say it’s a hit. What do you think, would you drive it? 👇
#OverlandExpo #OverlandExpoMountainWest #Toyota #ToyotaConcept #Overlanding AdventureVehicle OffRoad Hilux OverlandLife VehicleBuild
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Your next adventure starts with what you learn. 📘
Overland Expo Mountain West is where curiosity meets real-world skills. Hundreds of classes, hands-on training, and expert-led sessions give you the knowledge to tackle whatever the trail throws at you.
Looking to cool down? Visit our indoor air conditioned classrooms:
📚Roundtable Pavilion Sponsored by @airdowngearup
📚The Learning Lab Sponsored by @peakperformancecampers
📚Storyteller Pavilion Sponsored by @storytelleroverland
📚Overland Essentials Area Sponsored by @gme_usa
From recovery techniques and off-road navigation to vehicle prep and remote trip planning, every class is built around real skills you can use. Learn from instructors who`ve logged serious miles, in formats that work whether you`re just starting out or deep into your overlanding journey.
There is a class for every skill level!
Download our free Overland Expo app to create your custom schedule!
#OverlandExpo #Overlanding #Education #OverlandingLife #LearnWithUs
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Overland Expo MTN West Day 1 was one to remember! 😎
Watch the highlights and relive the best moments from Friday in Loveland, Colorado.
Who’s here for day two? 🙌
📍 The Ranch, Loveland, Colorado
📅 August 21-23, 2026
#OverlandExpo #Colorado #Overlanding #Camping #Education
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Day 2 is rolling and the energy is next level! 🔥
Saturday means packed classes, more gear to get your hands on and a community that`s fully dialed in. Whether you`re chasing new skills or swapping trail stories, today`s got you covered.
Swipe through for a look at what`s happening. Head to overlandexpo.com for the full schedule!
What`s been your favorite moment so far? Drop it below 👀
Plan the rest of your day with the free Overland Expo App, link in bio.
📅 August 21-23 | The Ranch Events Complex, Loveland, Colorado
#OverlandExpo #Overlanding #Colorado #Gear #Outdoors
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Join attendees from all over the world at this year’s Overland Expo MTN in Loveland, CO.
Photo by @TheAdventurePortal