
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!
Overland Expo East is almost here, and a little planning goes a long way.
Download the Overland Expo app to map out your weekend before you arrive in Arrington.
Inside the app, you can:
🗓️ Save the sessions you don’t want to miss
📍 Locate exhibitor booths and gear stops
🗺️ Get around the event without wandering in circles
🔥 Unlock 50% off an @onxoffroad subscription
Search “Overland Expo” in the App Store or Google Play, or hit the link in bio to download.
📍 Oak Ridge Estate, Arrington, Virginia
📅 October 23–25, 2026
The Overland Expo East map is here! 🍂
Plan your fall weekend before you roll into Virginia:
🔧 Rigs, gear, and show discounts from the brands you love
🧭 Educational sessions for first-timers and seasoned travelers
🏕️ Campsites, food, restrooms, and everything in between
🚙 Jeep Ride & Drive course
Grab your tickets and join fellow adventurers. Premium Camping and Forest camping are sold out, but General Camping, Day Passes, and Moto Camping are still available. Link in bio.
🗓️ October 23-25, 2026
📍 Oak Ridge Estate, Arrington, Virginia
#OverlandExpo #Virginia #Exhibitors #Rigs #Camping
Built for the journey. Ready for anything.
Make loading your roof rack easier with rugged grab handles built for adventure. Whether you`re heading into the backcountry, chasing mountain views, setting up camp, or escaping for the weekend, these handles give you a secure, comfortable grip when you need it most.
Made with 100% American-made paracord and durable stainless-steel hardware, they`re built to handle the elements and keep up with your adventures.
Built in America. Built for the outdoors. Built for wherever the road takes you.
Grab a pair and get ready for your next adventure!
@yota.twins
Shorter days don`t end the adventure. They just mean camp runs on headlamps, batteries and whatever the sun gave you that afternoon. 🔦
This month`s Gear Showcase covers power, lighting and solar: LED headlights, portable batteries, solar panels, headlamps, power panels and outdoor outlets built to carry your camp through the dark.
Read the full breakdown on The Compass, linked in our bio.
How many nights can your setup run off-grid?
#GearShowcase #OverlandExpo #Overlanding #OffGridPower #CampLighting
Plans for the weekend: nothing. Plans for Overland Expo East: every booth and class already circled. 😎
Join us for our last event of the year. Overland Expo East, October 23-25, in Arrington, Virginia.
🎟️ Buy tickets using the link in bio
📍 Oak Ridge Estate
#OverlandExpo #Virginia #Rigs #Gear #Classes
Virginia is full of mountain roads, hidden campsites, scenic views, and plenty of reasons to stay a little longer. 🏔️🚙
Save these travel ideas for your trip to Overland Expo East.
Read more on The Compass for the full roundup of routes, local stops, and trip ideas. Link in bio.
What`s your favorite stop?
📍Oak Ridge Estate, Arrington, Virginia
🗓️ October 23-25, 2026
#OverlandExpo #BlueRidgeMountains #Overlanding #ExploreVirginia #Camping
The exhibitor list for Overland Expo East is live. 🔥
Join us Oct. 23-25 at Oak Ridge Estate in Arrington, VA, with 200+ exhibitors across overland, adventure travel, outdoor, camping and moto gear.
New to overlanding or a few builds deep, you’ll find your people here.
Full exhibitor list at the link in our bio.
Title Sponsors:
@jeep, @subaru_usa, and @gowanderbox
Supporting Sponsors:
@nokiantyresna and @urbanxcampers
Specials Area & Event Sponsors:
@toyotires, @nexentireusa, @overlandexpofoundation, @bfgoodrichtires, @storytelleroverland, @midlandusa, and @devilsbackbonebrewingcompany
Media Sponsors:
@offroadtraveltv, @outdoorx4, @expeditionportal, @overlandjournal, @xoverland, @ovrmag, and @adventurerigsmag
#OverlandExpoEast #Overlanding #Exhibitors #Virignia #Gear
Happy National Public Lands Day!
Public lands are meant to be explored, respected and protected.
From Saturday 9/26 through Sunday 9/27, use code PublicLands5 on any Overland Expo East ticket, and we`ll donate $5 to the Overland Expo Foundation for every ticket purchased. Same price for you. Real support for public lands.
In 2025, the @OverlandExpoFoundation and its partners funded projects across the overland community focused on education, restoration, stewardship and veteran programs. Every one of these numbers started with someone who cares about public lands as much as you do.
Buy tickets using the link in bio.
#NationalPublicLandsDay #Overlanding #PublicLands #ProtectEducateExplore #OverlandExpo
Join attendees from all over the world at this year’s Overland Expo MTN in Loveland, CO.
Photo by @TheAdventurePortal