Bill Dragoo recounts his first overland adventure. In the fall of 1980, Bill bullheadedly dragged his young family up Pearl Pass, the wrong direction, in a Jeep CJ-7 in a blizzard.
If you’re on your way to or from Overland Expo Pacific Northwest in the Bend or Redmond, OR area and you have some time to explore the area, you might want to consider the Crooked River National Grasslands.
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.
Stunning geologic formations, vast vistas, and quietude make up Valley of the Gods, a novice off-highway loop that begins just 9 miles from the town of Mexican Hat, UT (where you can stock up on fuel and food supplies before hitting the backcountry.)
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.
A group of Overland Expo ambassadors and exhibitors wind their way to Overland Expo Mountain West 2022 through Colorado’s Alpine Loop.
Driving the unparalleled beauty of the White Rim Road, one of the most iconic trails in the West.
I first traversed the infamous McGrew Trail in southwest Oregon in the summer of 2021. And, as the legend suggests, McGrew proved to be a wicked test of endurance for my friends and me.
If you are looking for a quick, scenic trail on the way into or the way
After some recommendations and referrals from colleagues, friends, and fellow overlanders, I decided to take the truck on a portion of the Oregon Back Country Discovery Route 5, Section 2.
The Owyhee Uplands Back Country Byway is a 104-mile graded gravel road. This fantastic overland drive runs between Jordan Valley, Oregon, and Grand View, Idaho.
We’ve covered plenty of trails near Overland Expo East in Virginia and West Virginia, but there are opportunities for adventures in the surrounding states. A few hours north of Arrington, VA, in southern Pennsylvania, you’ll find the Michaux State Forest.
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.
For those seeking an easy but incredibly scenic starter overland trip, check out the Magruder Road Corridor. This 101-mile primitive road runs east-west from Idaho into Montana.
For those looking for a bit of adventure before or after Overland Expo Pacific Northwest in Bend, I can advise you to check out Three Creeks Lake Road, an easy, 45-ish mile backcountry route in Deschutes National Forest that borders Three Sisters Wilderness and encompasses lots of dispersed camping sites, mountain lakes and creeks, and stunning scenery.
For the first-ever Tales from the Trail, Bill Dragoo takes the Ultimate Overland Motorcycle 2022 along a portion of the Arizona Backcountry Discovery Route and meets new and old friends along the way.
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.
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.
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.
Deschutes National Forest was established in 1908 and offers overlanders and outdoor enthusiasts with almost any
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests hold countless opportunities for adventure. Much of the 1.8 million acres lie along the Interstate 81 corridor.
If you plan to visit Overland Expo East and find yourself ready to hit the trail before or after the event, Monongahela National Forest should be on your list of places
If you’re headed to Overland Expo West from Southern California, it’s always a good idea to
If you’re looking for a lengthy adventure before or after Overland Expo Pacific Northwest in Bend this summer, consider Route 3 of the Oregon Back Country Discovery Route.
Photo by Brett Willhelm