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
Wildsam aims to take you places. In their 65+ iconic field guides, they gather intel from across the map into beautiful books about towns, cities, National Parks, iconic regions and epic road trips. Check out their newest releases—Lake Michigan Coast and Wild Alaska—at wildsam.com. ✨
Plus, @wildsam will be at Overland Expo East! Come say hi at their booth (and you may even get to take home a field guide 👀)!
Off-Road Travel TV is the only weekly cable television show devoted to the off-road adventure travel and overland lifestyle. Each week the crew takes viewers to spectacular off-road locations and features the latest gear and accessories that make this lifestyle so appealing.
📺 Off-Road Travel TV can be seen every Sunday at 9:30am on RACER TV
Overland Expo East is the one place you can join thousands of other passionate enthusiasts from all over the USA to see all the latest gear, learn new skills, meet new friends and be inspired by hundreds of new ideas and creative ways to make your travels more enjoyable. Don’t miss it!
👉 Be sure to keep an eye out for the @offroadtraveltv crew and say hello!
Out there, connection and navigation aren’t extras - they’re essential 🏍️ On the 2025 Ultimate Overland Motorcycle, every detail is built for the ride beyond the map:
📡 The @zoleolifeus Global Satellite Communicator keeps messages moving when cell service disappears so you can stay connected no matter how far you go
🔧 The @rammounts Quick-Grip Pro Vibration Damping Phone Mount + Tough Mirrors keep your view steady and your navigation locked in mile after mile
🍁 Come see it in person this weekend at Overland Expo East! Tickets and more info on this epic moto build at @overlandexpo’s link in bio
@ok4wd is the premier vehicle outfitting shop on the East Coast, and they’re bringing the excitement to Overland Expo East!
Join the crew Friday night at the Oasis Bar & Food Court for the OK4WD x Mountain State Overland Video Premiere! An event you won’t want to miss!
Plus, OK4WD will have exclusive deals all weekend long on top overland brands like @alucab_usa, GP Factor, and more.
Come hang out, connect with the community, and gear up for your next adventure.
Welcome to Camp @Subaru_usa at Overland Expo East this weekend! Come by throughout the event to see the latest Subaru models, meet with the Subaru Accessories team and a Rally 101 with Rhianon Gelsomino!
Stop by the Subaru booth Friday from 7-9pm for Camp Subaru LIVE! featuring singer-songwriters from Nashville and Saturday from 10-2 for a pet adoption event.
Don’t forget to stop by and play their instant win game for a chance to win a Thule Rooftop
tent or a Ride1Up Bike!
🍁 Overland Expo East is THIS WEEKEND! 🍁
It’s our final event of the year, and we’ve got an epic lineup planned for you. Get ready for:
✔️ 200+ brands showcasing top-tier adventure rigs & gear
✔️ 250+ classes & demos from overland pros
✔️ Happy hours, networking, parties, and special events
✔️ Show specials, giveaways, and raffles
✔️ Gorgeous on-site camping
✔️ And lots more!
🎟️ Camping, Weekend, & Day Passes are still available - hit the link in bio to grab yours!
🔥 Who’s rolling in? Let us know in the comments and tag your crew 👇
Thunderer Tires is proud to roll into Overland Expo East, happening next week in Arrington, Virginia—the premier event for overlanding, off-road adventure, and outdoor exploration.
🛞 As an official sponsor, @thunderer_tire is showcasing its rugged lineup of all-terrain and mud-terrain tires built for those who demand reliability on every journey.
👉 Stop by the Thunderer Tires booth to see the latest Thunderer Trac Grip M/T and R/T lines, learn more about innovations designed for overland rigs, and connect with experts who live and breathe adventure.
🛻 This year, Thunderer is taking it up a notch with exciting activations, including an RC racecar contest that brings out your competitive side and a chance to win a free set of Thunderer tires—the perfect upgrade for your next expedition.
From hands-on demos to exclusive giveaways, Thunderer Tires invites you to experience performance, durability, and the spirit of exploration at Overland Expo East.
⛰️ Venture beyond the pavement with Foxhole Overland.
✨ From rugged backroads to starlit campsites, their campers are designed to take you further, stay out longer, and embrace true off-grid living. Every build reflects a deep love for adventure—crafted with durability, functionality, and freedom in mind.
🇺🇸 Proudly built in the USA
👉 @foxhole_overland
#foxholeoverland
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.