Tales from the Trail: Piney River & Beyond
My trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains with the 2022 Ultimate Overland Build started as the remnants of Hurricane Ian made their way through western Virginia.
Guide ToTHE ARRINGTON REGION
Overland Expo EAST is just east of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains along Highway 29. It is 22 miles north of Lynchburg and 35 miles south of Charlottesville and is a short drive to Shenandoah National Park.
OCTOBER 23-25, 2026
OAK RIDGE ESTATE // ARRINGTON, VA
FRI 9-5 | SAT 9-5 | SUN 9-3
ABOUT THE VENUE
OAK RIDGE ESTATe
Oak Ridge Estate is a professional event venue sitting on 4,800 acres of lush Central Virginia countryside in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The popular event venue hosts numerous large events each year including the Lockn’ Music Festival, a 3-day mega-event blending more than 30,000 attendees with top music acts, local foods, craft spirits and extensive weekend camping packages.
DRIVING TIMES TO OAK RIDGE ESTATES:
- Richmond, VA via I-64 to US-29: 2 hrs
- Washington, DC via US-29: 3.5 hrs
- Charlotte, NC via I-85 to US-29: 4 hrs
- New York City, NY via I-95: 7 hrs
- Atlanta, GA via I-85 to US-29: 7.5 hrs
OVERLAND ROUTES & RESOURCES
Trips & Trails: Union Springs
Just north of Harrisonburg, Virginia you’ll find a section of George Washington National Forest with an incredible density of trails. This area really has something for every adventurer with great options for trail difficulty, camping, and other activities, all within relatively close proximity to each other.
Trips & Trails: Fenwick Mines
Fall is a great time to visit the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. One of the best ways to experience these mountains is to explore the trails and forest roads that criss-cross this region.
Trips & Trails: Bald Mountain
If you’re on your way to or from Overland Expo East and decide to seek out a challenging trail, Bald Mountain is where you need to be. It’s located in the Saint Mary’s area of George Washington, and the southern terminus is only 45 minutes from Oak Ridge Estates.
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?
ACCOMODATIONS
HOTELS / BED & BREAKFASTS
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 Arrington.
RV PARKS IN THE ARRINGTON AREA:
Check out reviews of various RV Parks and Campgrounds in the area.
CAMPING
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 George Washington and Jefferson National Forest offer several campgrounds, click HERE for a list of campgrounds.
DISPERSED CAMPING
For those who prefer more solitude, dispersed camping is also allowed in the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest. For a detailed guide to regulations and suggested sites, see: Dispersed camping.
FOOD & DRINK
RAPUNZEL’S COFFEE & BOOKS
An eclectic arts venue, community space, coffee shop, and used bookstore located in The Packing Shed in historic Rapunzel’s Coffee.
BASIC NECESSITIES
Basic Necessities celebrates the European mentality of thoughtful food preparation, conversation and relaxation. “La table” in French signifies so much more than just “the table,” or dinner table. It means a place where family and friends can eat, drink, talk and just be together.
BEAN TREE CAFE
When you visit you’ll find amazing, locally roasted coffee paired with a wide selection of house-made food. Bean Tree Cafe serves coffee and espresso locally roasted and also features a full menu that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner items with several gluten-free options available upon request.
BOOTLEGGERS
Remember Lynchburg’s wilder side with some of the most unique burgers and brews in town! You may feel like you’re entering a speakeasy through the lower entrance, but you’ll know you’re home when you sample Bootlegger’s brews and burgers.
Find more places to eat in and around Arrington, Charlottesville or Lynchburg.
THINGS TO DO
Not sure what you want to do, but want to know what is available in the area? Visit Nelson County offers a treasure trove of tips and advice on how to make the most of your stay near Infinity Downs. Looking to get out and explore a little? Check out Visit Charlottesville, Lynchburg Tourism, or Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountain website. You can also take a look at this great article for 100 Best Things to Do in Virginia.
NATIONAL PARKS
Cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, quiet wooded hollows—take a hike, meander along Skyline Drive, or picnic with the family. 200,000 acres of protected lands are a haven to deer, songbirds, the night sky…and you. Plan a Shenandoah escape today!
VINEYARDS & WINERIES
From Virginia’s oldest winery, farm wineries, terraced vineyards and rustic to elegant modern tasting rooms, Nelson County offers many unique wine-tasting experiences for the wine lover. With easy access to the Route 29 corridor, the following wineries are open to visitors: Lovingston Winery, Delfosse Vineyard and Winery, Brent Manor Vineyard, and Mountain Cove Winery. Along Route 151 are Veritas Vineyard and Winery, Cardinal Point Winery, Afton Mountain Vineyard, Flying Fox Vineyard, and Hilltop Berry Farm and Winery. Be sure to check out Nelson 151. Find out more at Visit Nelson County.
MUSIC
Charlottesville has Live Music almost every night of the week. There is something for everyone!
Looking for a great Concert to attend? Lynchburg may just have what you’re looking for.
HIKING
Get lost in the beauty of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests with a great hike! Limitless options are available at Hiking Project.
Take a day hike on a section of the Appalachian Trail. Crabtree Falls claims to be Virginia’s most beautiful waterfall. Enjoy this hike to decide for yourself!
This list highlights 15 favorite hikes near Charlottesville.
BREW RIDGE TRAIL
The Brew Ridge Trail is a self-guided tour featuring five of the nation’s best craft breweries. With everything from lagers to stouts, there’s something for everyone along the trail… The five breweries along the Trail include Blue Mountain Brewery, Blue Mountain Barrel House, Devils Backbone Brewing Company, Starr Hill Brewery, and Wild Wolf Brewing Company. Visit brewridgetrail.com for more information.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Popular mountain biking trail suggestions from the Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club.
Bicycle rentals and guides available through Blue Ridge Cyclery – Downtown in Charlottesville or Bikes Unlimited in Lynchburg. MTB Project or Singletracks also have maps and suggestions for great trails in Virginia.
HISTORY
Take a trip back in time at The Walton Museum.
Civil War enthusiasts have plenty of options in Lynchburg, or Charlottesville hosts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
FISHING
Nelson County offers many fishing opportunities along its rivers, lakes and streams, including the Tye River, James River, Little Piney River (stream) and Rockfish River.
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout; largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and bluegill
Dead Drift Outfitters is here to get you locked in on fish. Services include custom flies, gear, tying materials, fly fishing and tying instruction and guided wade and float trips.
Fly & Ride
Where to rent motorcycles?
Although motorcycle rentals are not available locally in Arrington, you can fly to the surrounding areas and rent adventure motorcycles at:
Charlotte, NC – Carolina Adventure Cycles
Roanoke, VA – Eagle Rider
Townsend, TN – GSM MotoRent
Enjoy a ride through the Blue Ridge Parkway or Shenandoah National Park on your way to Overland Expo.
CHECK OUT WHAT'S NEW #OVERLANDEXPO
Overland Expo SoCal is THIS WEEKEND March 14-15 at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, CA! 🚨
Get ready for the largest overlanding event in Southern California featuring:
🛠️ 400+ off-road and outdoor brands
📚 100+ hours of expert-led classes and product demos
🚙 Custom rigs on display
🎉 In-booth parties, happy hours, and more!
Who’s joining us at Overland Expo SoCal this weekend? Tag your crew! 👀
🎟️ Buy tickets online for the best price!
#OverlandExpoSoCal #CostaMesa #California #OCFairAndEventCenter #Overlanding AdventureGear
@ROA_Off_Road off is heading to Overland Expo SoCal, and they’re bringing serious off-grid camping capability with them.
Join the ROA team at Booth #GG-1115 from March 14-15, 2026 to tour the latest MDC off-road campers built for true overlanding performance. Attendees can step inside fully equipped rigs featuring independent suspension, lithium power systems, solar packages, and real-world off-grid setups for extended camping trips.
The team will be offering exclusive show pricing and expert walk-throughs to help you find the perfect trailer for your style of camping. ROA Off-Road will be on-site to answer questions and talk capability, durability, and long-term ownership.
Stop by, meet the crew, and see why more overlanders are choosing ROA to power their next expedition!
Ready to take your van build to the next level? 🚐 This month’s Gear Showcase is all about van builders and the accessories that make your rig unstoppable. From fully electric cabins and cutting-edge tech to fender flares and PowerLift Bike Racks, we’ve got everything you need to elevate your adventure game. 🛠️
What’s the one accessory your van can’t live without? Drop your must-haves below! 👇
Click the link in bio to explore the full gear lineup on The Compass! 🧭
#overlandexpo #vanlife #overlandinggear #vanbuild #adventuregear
Join @xoverland, @overlandjournal, and @expeditionportal at Booth #GG-2070 during Overland Expo SoCal to meet members of the Overland Collective team, hear stories from their 25,000-mile Milestones expedition, check out their latest builds, and snag some merch!
The only acceptable ‘you up?’ text this weekend: Overland Expo SoCal edition. 👏 Grab your tickets and let’s go!
#OverlandExpoSoCal #ThisWeekend #OverlandExpo #CostaMesa #California #OCFair&EventCenter
@ARB4x4usa returns as an official sponsor, showcasing its latest off-road and overlanding innovations. Headlining the display is the Earth Camper build, a fully integrated setup built for serious adventure. Attendees can also check out ARB’s all-new truck cap for the Toyota Tacoma, designed for seamless fit, security, and cargo versatility, plus a newly outfitted Toyota 4Runner equipped with premium protection, suspension, and recovery gear. Don’t miss the debut of the new ARB winch, delivering next-generation pulling power and durability for demanding recoveries. Whether you’re planning weekend trips or full expeditions, this is a must-see stop. Come meet the team, explore the gear, and get inspired for your next journey.
@offroadtraveltv is the only weekly program on television devoted to off-road adventure travel and the overland lifestyle. Tune in every week as they explore backroads and byways looking for adventure and unique experiences around the globe. In 2026 the crew visits Iceland to drive 4x4’s, the Virgin Islands and Hawaii to drive UTV’s, then they ride adventure bikes to the Arctic Circle and much more before capping off the season with a trip to Bali to drive UTV’s in this jungle paradise. Along the way they also test and evaluate dozens of products throughout the year from off-road trailers to the latest in overland gear and accessories.
Off-Road Travel TV airs every Sunday at 9:30am on the Racer network with re-airs throughout the week. Off-Road Travel TV is also available on most major streaming services and all episodes are available on their website at http://www.offroadtraveltv.com/video
@bajadesigns the leader in aftermarket off-road lighting, is heading to Overland Expo SoCal 2026 come find them at Booth # GG-2120.
With over 30 years of developing off-road lighting, Baja Designs has engineered lights built to survive anything from race trucks ripping through Baja Mexico to cross-country adventures up to the Arctic circle. One thing is certain: these lights can survive anywhere.
Stop by and check out their vehicle-specific lighting systems that are 100% plug-and-play. Spend less time wrenching and more time out on the trails.
See you out there. 🤙
THE WORLD IS OUT THERE GO SEE IT!
Join attendees from all over the world at this year’s Overland Expo East in Arrington, VA.