2023 WestFAQs
MAY 19-21, 2023
FT. TUTHILL COUNTY PARK // FLAGSTAFF, AZ, USA
FRI 8-5 | SAT 8-5 | SUN 8-3
ABOUT THE OVERLAND EXPO WEST
FORT TUTHILL
FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA, USA
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, disc golf course and miles of mountain bike trails.
Location & Hours
When: Overland Expo WEST • May19-21, 2023
Public Hours: Friday 8 am – 5 pm • Saturday 8 am – 5 pm • Sunday 8 am – 3 pm
Location: Fort Tuthill County Park, 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop, Flagstaff, AZ 86005 [OVERVIEW LOCATION MAP]
Ways to Attend: See our Tickets page to buy tickets.
AT THE VENUE
- On-site Day Pass parking: a limited quantity will be available for purchase in advance, online only.
- Free off-site Day Pass parking is available at Northern Arizona University with free shuttle service to/from Overland Expo.
- No overnight parking or camping allowed with Day or Weekend Passes (so please don’t ask!).
Shuttle service will be available for Weekend & Day Pass ticket-holders to/from the free off-site parking at Northern Arizona University (NAU).
Overland Expo is a dog-friendly event but please abide by our pet rules. More info >>
The day-pass shuttle service will allow pets, however, please keep them leashed at all times.
The off-site Day Pass parking at NAU with shuttle to/from Overland Expo will run:
- Friday 7:45am – 9:30pm
- Saturday 7:45am – 9:30pm
- Sunday 7:45am – 3:30 pm
Although we are an event that promotes the use of vehicles and motorcycles for overlanding, we ask you keep driving to a minimum while on the venue grounds. No vehicles / motorcycles are permitted in the vendor area.
Mountain bikes are a great alternative for getting around. Please note: NO ATVs, quads, or side-by-sides except for those with appropriate handicap placards and solely used for assisting low-mobility attendees with accessing sites.
Attendees with limited mobility will be able to park in our handicapped-designated areas. There are accessible port-a-johns in the camping and exhibitor areas. The venue is level, with a large amount of pavement (though rough); some is graveled; the camps are dirt, and will be difficult for wheelchairs and low mobility. Please have your ADA placard visible for parking/camping attendant to easily assist you with location placement. We will have staff members available with carts for assisting low-mobility attendees to and from their vehicles/campsites.Unfortunately, there will not be individual carts or wheelchairs available for rent. Please bring any personal devices as needed. Please contact us for more information, and we’ll do our best to make your visit as easy as possible.
The venue does have cell and internet coverage but does have trouble servicing the number of attendees during peak attendance days at times. WIFI will NOT be provided, so please bring your own internet device, if needed.
NO! Drones, paramotors, and other flying apparatuses are NOT allowed, for safety reasons; additionally, we are within 1 mile of an airport and within the flight zone.
There will be a good selection of food, beverage and coffee trucks onsite in the Oasis Bar & Food Court.
- Drinking= NO Driving. Zero-tolerance is in effect—you will not be allowed to participate in any driving / riding / recovery courses.
Supplies such as groceries, ice, gas, banks, etc are located in Flagstaff just 5 minutes from Ft. Tuthill. No glass bottles are allowed at Fort Tuthill County Park.
Overland Expo is an outdoor event—be prepared for any and all weather!
- Daytime: average temp is 65°F; dry and often WINDY
- Nightime: average temp is 29–35°F
- Elevation: 7,000 feet
- Approx. sunrise/set: 5:30 am / 7:30 pm
Smoking is only allowed in designated smoking locations. Due to extreme fire danger during this time of year, we highly suggest not smoking at the event.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Bring sun protection such as a hat, sunscreen, long-sleeved light shirts.
- Layering is highly recommended; temps drop quickly after sunset.
- Drink lots of water; you will dehydrate faster and alcoholic beverages hit you quicker at higher elevations!
- Elevation can also affect those with cardiac issues, please use caution.
- We will have potable water stations for refilling your personal water bottles.
- Please arrive with water tanks full. Access to camper water tanks will be limited.
NEARBY ACCOMMODATIONS & CAMPING
Check out our Guide to Flagstaff page. Book Early! It’s a busy weekend in Flagstaff.
There are no on-site hotels available, but there are many options nearby, at all price levels. Check out our Accommodations section of our Guide to Flagstaff page for links and information.
*Disclaimer: if you are contacted by Expo Housing Services (http:// www.expohousingservices.com), we are in no way associated and it is a scam.
There are many U.S. Forest Service campgrounds around the Flagstaff area. Sites are well-spaced and shaded with tables, grills, water, and toilets. For more information, see the Forest Service page about Coconino campgrounds.
For those who prefer more solitude, dispersed camping is also allowed in the Coconino National Forest. For a detailed guide to regulations and suggested sites, see: Dispersed camping.
ON-SITE CAMPGROUND
- Camping is festival style in a pine forest.
- Camping on-site is for smaller overland vehicles and motorcycles only (no vehicles over 35 feet, no large trailers, see vehicle restrictions)
- The Fort Tuthill County Campgrounds is reserved Premium Weekend Pass With Camping attendees only during the event weekend.
- General admission Weekend Pass with Camping will have access to basic on-site camping (no hook-ups) in the main camping areas of the event. The general campgrounds is a nice walk thru the forest to the main event entrance. If in need of ADA accommodations, please make sure to choose this option upon registering for your passes.
- Day Pass attendees (those visiting for only one day) ARE NOT eligible for camping.
- Organized group camping is not available. Campsites are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’d like to camp with your group, we recommend you all arrive together to be placed together.
Rustic camping is located north of the exhibitor and training areas. Access is open to overland vehicles only; no hookups; no vehicles over 35 feet, no large trailers; see vehicle restrictions. There will be porta-john and cabana-style showers within the campground; there are potable water spigots for filling up.
Camping is festival-style. On-site camping is in demand. In order to accommodate as many on-site campers as possible, campers will be near fellow campers.
Premium camping is an upgraded camping packages that allows for a more exclusive camping experience. The premium camping location lies closest to the event & exhibitor areas. Spacing is limited to vehicles and trailers under 13 feet. Premium camping sells out quickly, as campsites are limited.
Camping is still festival-style in premium camping. In order to accommodate as many on-site campers as possible, campers will be near fellow campers.
RULES FOR CAMPING:
- Pets are welcome, but please have them leashed at all times and clean up after them; make sure to read the Pet Rules.
- There will be roving 24-hour security.
- NO open (wood or charcoal) fires allowed in the dispersed camping areas. Cookstoves (propane, white gas, etc) and gas-powered campfire units with an on and off switch only are okay.
- There is NO electricity. Please turn off your generators when quiet hours begin at 10:00 pm.
- Camping opens at 8 am on Thursday. You may stay over Sunday night.
- All campers must be off grounds by 11am Monday morning.
- Friends Who Want To Camp Together, Must Arrive Together: There will be no reserving space for friends within the campgrounds. If you plan to camp with your friend, please plan to meet up prior to your arrival at the event grounds.
FACILITIES & AMENITIES:
- There are no hookups for electricity or water in the camping areas.
- We provide porta-toilets throughout the venue.
- Shower service and availability will be VERY limited. Due to the natural location of the venue, there is insufficient water pressure and proper drainage that is required for most systems, such as shower trailers. Our camp showers are offered as convenience only, it’s not intended as a hotel-style experience. We recommend you prepare as you would for an overland-style camping experience, bringing your own portable shower system or wet-wipe style cloths for the two to three nights you will be camping.
- There are NO water spigots in the camp areas for filling up trailer water tanks. Bring your own filled water containers / food / cooking gear, etc. Treat this like a true overlanding trip: be self-sufficient or plan to travel to Flagstaff (minutes away) for food, water, etc.
TREES: There are pine trees in the camping areas (yes, bring a hammock), but no wood cutting.
FIRES: No campfires (wood or charcoal) in the dispersed camp areas due to fire danger. Propane is allowed, including portable campfire appliances. NOTE: All and any fires, including propane, could be banned in the event of extreme fire danger.
GENERATORS: Quiet generators are allowed but must be turned off by 10 pm.
FIREARMS: Venue rules state no firearms
Overland Experience and VIP Weekend Pass with Camping registrants:
Arrive during staffed hours of operations and allow extra time for parking and/or camp set-up. Please check in prior to arrival at the event grounds at the High Country Motor Lodge in Flagstaff (1000 West Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001) during the below check-in hours. Once you have your credentials, you can head to the event grounds to set up camp.
- Thurs: 8am – 6pm
- Fri: 8am – 6pm
- Sat: 8am – 5pm
General Admission Weekend Pass with Camping ticket holders:
Arrive during staffed hours of operations and allow extra time for parking and/or camp set-up. Park in a campsite first, then come to the grandstands to get your credentials
- Thurs: 8am – 6pm
- Fri: 8am – 6pm
- Sat: 8am – 5pm
- Sun: 8am – 10am
Once check in closes for the day, we will stage late arrival campers in lanes outside of the venue to be ready for check in the following day at 8am. Late arrival campers will not be allowed to camp in the event campgrounds until they have checked-in the following morning.
For best experience, we highly recommend arriving within the available check in hours so that we can better accommodate you.
TRIP AND VEHICLE PLANNING
Flagstaff’s Pulliam Airport (FLG) is a 30-minute connecting flight from Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International (PHX). All major car rental companies are represented at FLG, or you can rent a car at PHX and make the 2-1/2-hour drive to Fort Tuthill from there.
For something a bit more interesting than a Kia sedan, Barlow’s Jeep Rental in Sedona (20 miles from the venue) rents new Jeep Wranglers.
If you are looking to rent a motorcycle, Arizona Motorcycle Adventures in Tempe has a selection of bikes ready for your adventure.
If you have a personal vehicle for sale, and you are a registered camper, you are welcome to display 1 (one) “for sale” sign at your vehicle, in the camping area.
If you are an overland vehicle builder / customizer selling for profit, contact us about displaying your vehicle.
No, Overland Expo does not provide or rent vehicles for classes. On any sponsored driving course, the test vehicles provided are for the session only, not for the whole weekend. You need to bring your own vehicle to participate in the exercises.
There are numerous groups organizing overlanding trips to the show, both for a fee or for free. The following forums are good resources:
Find overlanding resources and routes on the Overland to the Expo West page.
If you have other forum resources, please let us know.
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.