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 15-17, 2026
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
Make a meal out of a mountain with the Tacoma. Visit the Pedersen Toyota booth at Overland Expo Mountain West in Loveland Colorado August 22-24.
Toyota, Let’s Go Places!
👉 @pedersen_toyota
Adventure, upgraded ✨ The 2025 Ultimate Overland Vehicle is loaded with gear that makes camping a breeze so you can spend more time enjoying the outdoors in comfort.
Swipe to explore the kit that turns this rig into a backcountry dream:
🚿 @alucab_usa – 270° Shadow Awning & Shower Cube
❄ @isothermrefrigeration – Cruise 65 Clean Touch Stainless Steel Fridge
🧰 @onwrd.supply – Seat Organizers & Headrest
💦 @trumanorthamerica – AquaGo Water Heater & VarioHeat Furnace
🔥 @lavaboxcampfires – Campfire Kitchen & Firepit
🔪 @opinelusa – Nomad Cooking Kit & Picnic + Cutlery Set
⛰️ Come check it out in person at Overland Expo Mtn West next week!
Big thanks to our build partners for making every mile (and campsite) better. 🙌
👉 Tap the link in our bio for the full build + gear breakdown.
📸: 1-7 @andysedano_ / 8-9 @mitchsini
⚡ OPTIMA Batteries is charging onto the Overland Expo Mountain West scene as an official sponsor!
From rugged trail rigs to fully equipped expedition vehicles, @optimabatteries is the Ultimate Power Source for battery performance and off-grid reliability.
Get a look at the newest products in the OPTIMA line, explore high-performance setups, and meet the team behind the brand trusted by enthusiasts worldwide.
📍 Whether you`re planning your next overland journey or looking to upgrade your rig, booth C7 is your destination for expert insights and premium power solutions.
Level up your skills at Overland Expo Mountain West! Education has been a core part of the event since the beginning. From finding free campsites and cooking on the road to vehicle recovery, first aid, photography, trip planning, and so much more—there’s something for everyone. 🏕️👨🍳🔧📸
👉 Swipe through to see some of the education areas you’ll get to explore, then tap the link in bio for education highlights and the full event schedule—or find it all in the official Overland Expo app.
🎟️ Overland Expo Mtn West is NEXT WEEK! Premium Camping is sold out and General Camping is selling fast—grab your passes now and start planning your adventure.
👇 What sessions are you most excited to check out?
A big thank you to all our education sponsors who help make this possible!
- @rugged_luxury_motors
- @chrysler
- @gowanderbox
💥 Get behind the wheel at Overland Expo Mountain West!
Ready to flex your off-road skills? Don`t miss the Ram Ride & Drive on the Nothing Stops Ram Test Track — a custom-built off-road course where you can drive the Ram 1500 Rebel G/T & Ram 2500 Rebel HD and put their legendary capability to the test. Complete the course and score a free gift! 🎁
⛰️ While you`re there, check out their epic lineup of overland-upfitted @ramtrucks — built for your next adventure.
📍 Catch it during show hours at Overland Expo Mountain West (included with your passes!)
🎟️ Don`t have tickets yet? Get them now at the link in bio and start planning your adventure.
Winnebago is heading to Overland Mountain West with their Solis, EKKO and Revel. Part of their Backcountry Series, these rigs are built for off-grid travel and designed to handle remote terrain with ease 🚐⛰️
🎁 Don’t miss the chance to enter Winnebago’s Basecamp Essentials Bundle giveaway. The prize pack is valued at $3,700 and includes campsite gear curated for comfort and adventure 🏕️
👉 Whether you’re just getting into overlanding or looking to upgrade, this is a great opportunity to connect with a brand that builds with real travelers in mind.
📍 Find them at booth C64 to explore the lineup and see which model best fits your travel style and check them out at @winnebagorvs
🍁 Gear up for fall adventures 🍁 From rugged truck covers to suspension upgrades, we’ve curated a lineup of overland gear that will help you go farther, safer, and more comfortably (and bring your pets).
➡️ Swipe through for a preview, then head to the full article for all the gear details (link in bio)
👇 What’s on your wishlist?
Elevation Off Grid is heading to Overland Expo Mountain West as an official sponsor—and they`re not showing up quietly. Known for building the most capable, best-looking trucks on the road, @elevationoffgrid will be on-site with a lineup of Black Edition builds: F-550`s and RAM 5500`s engineered for serious off-road performance, luxury, and high-capacity towing.
Every component, from the LiquidSpring smart suspension to their proprietary bumpers and hardware, is designed with purpose. These trucks are built to work hard, look sharp, and drive like nothing else on the road.
Whether you`re deep into the overland world or just starting to spec out your first heavy-duty rig, EOG`s booth is worth your time. Come get a firsthand look at what precision engineering and real-world function looks like when it’s done right.
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.