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
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Luno redefines vehicle-based camping with gear tailored specifically for sleeping safely and comfortably inside your vehicle - not on top, and not beside it.
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The right gear can turn your overlanding and outdoor adventures into gourmet experiences 🌄🍳
👉 Swipe through for a taste of camp kitchen innovation and see how you can elevate your cooking game on the trail.
From fully equipped slide-out kitchens to the most crave-worthy freeze-dried meals, this month’s Gear Showcase is packed with contenders that turn any campsite into a true outdoor cooking HQ.
Which setup would you bring on your next adventure? 🚙✨
Head to The Compass on overlandexpo.com (link in bio) for all the details.
🔥 GIVEAWAY 🔥 Win a pair of Weekend Passes to Overland Expo East in Arrington, VA taking place October 3-5, 2025! 🎉
This is the ultimate East Coast overlanding, camping, and adventure travel event — with world-class gear and vehicles, hands-on demos, inspiring classes, and a chance to connect with thousands of fellow adventurers. If you’ve ever dreamed of leveling up your rig or planning your next big trip, or just checking out what it’s all about, this is the event you don’t want to miss. 🌎✨
👉 It`s super easy to enter: just hit the link in our bio.
For bonus points:
1️⃣ Follow @overlandexpo
2️⃣ Like this post
3️⃣ Tag your friends!
One lucky winner will be chosen on Friday, September 19 and notified via email.
Good luck — we can’t wait to see you in Virginia for an epic weekend! 🚙💨
⚠️ Note: The winner will be contacted via email from the Overland Expo Team. We will never ask for payment info. Please report any suspicious accounts pretending to be us.
Our final event of the year - Overland Expo East - is just 3 weeks away! We couldn`t be more excited to bring you an epic weekend of rigs, gear, adventure, education, and community on the East coast 🚐🍁🛻
Scope out the full sponsor and exhibitor list (🔗 in bio) and be sure to join us October 3-5 in Arrington, VA 🥳
👇 Let us know if you`re coming and who you`re excited to see!
🎟️ Forest & Premium Camping are already sold out - grab your tickets now!
Stay connected no matter how far you roam ⛰️✨
The 2025 Ultimate Overland Vehicle is built to keep you online, charged up, and in touch—no matter how far you push past the edges of the map.
Swipe to check out the connection + power gear onboard:
📻 @midlandusa – MicroMobile Two-Way Radio + Antenna
🌐 @zoleolifeus – Global Satellite Communicator
⚡️ @xantrextechnology – Freedom X 2000 Inverter + Remote Panel
📡 @redzonewirelessinternet – Cradlepoint-Ericcson X-10 Router
🔋 @battlebornbatteries – 270Ah 12V Heated GC3 LiFePO4 Kit
Huge thanks to our build partners for creating gear that helps adventurers stay safe, powered, and connected out there 🙌
🔗 Tap the link in bio for the full build + gear breakdown.
📸: 1 - @davidkerstan, 2-6 @andysedano
Overland Expo East is rolling into Arrington, Virginia, October 3-5, 2025! Join us for the ultimate weekend dedicated to overlanding, camping, and adventure travel.
Here’s what’s in store:
⚙️ 200+ tops brands with the latest overlanding, camping, and outdoor gear and vehicles
🔥 Exclusive show only deals and gear specials
🎓 100+ expert-led classes and demos
🍻 Happy hours, raffles, parties, and special events
🥳 Family friendly activities and programming for kids
🏕️ On-site camping for easy access to everything
❗️Forest Camping is already sold out and there are only a handful of Premium Camping spots remaining.
🎟️ Grab your tickets now and start planning your adventure!
👇 Let us know if we’ll see you there!
#overlandexpo #overlandexpoeast #overlandevent #overlandcommunity #overlandvehicles #overlandgear
Meet @scanstrut — a leader in outdoor and marine gear built entirely in-house by an adventurous team passionate about overlanding. Their rugged, waterproof Ventura sockets and power solutions bring seamless connectivity to campers, vans, RVs, and more — wherever your journey leads ⚡️
👉 Swipe through for a quick glance at what makes Scanstrut a trusted name in innovation and durability. Then head to The Compass on overlandexpo.com to learn more (link in bio).
Overland Expo Mountain West had some seriously epic rigs 🔥
👉 Head to our YouTube channel for a quick look at a few that stole the show (link in bio).
🍁 Missed the event? Don’t worry — we’re doing it again next month! Overland Expo East rolls into Arrington, VA October 3-5. Hit the link in bio for more info and tickets.
From rugged 4x4 campers and off-grid beasts to wild custom builds and dream rigs, you’ll find it all at Overland Expo 🚙✨
🎥 @yapping_about_cars
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.