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 17-19, 2024
FT. TUTHILL COUNTY PARK
FLAGSTAFF, AZ, USA
FRI 8-5 | SAT 8-5 | SUN 8-3
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 LOVELAND 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
Optimizing space was a big goal for us when curating the 2023 Ultimate Overland Motorcycle Build🏍️
We turned to @moskomoto and their decades of experience to outfit the bike with high quality luggage with premium materials.
To help protect the bike and secure our gear, partnering with @outback_motortek was the obvious solution. They hooked the build up with a full set of crash bars, skid plate, rear luggage rack, and pannier racks.🔥
Finally, our bike is equipped with the @rammounts Quick-Grip XL Phone Mount with Handlebar U-Bolt Base. This allows the rider to easily insert and remove their phone with one hand!
Learn more about these build partners and the Ultimate Overland Motorcycle Build at the link in our bio!🔗
📸 @whosjohnallen
#ultimatemotorcycle #advmotorcycle #rammounts #outbackmotortek #moskomoto #overlandexpo
Test ride your favorite Yamaha at Overland Expo East next week!🏍️
@yamahamotorusa will be rolling into Arrington with a lineup of adventure-ready motorcycles and side-by-sides available for demo rides!
The lineup includes the 2024 Yamaha Wolverine X2 1000, Ténéré 700, TW200 Dual Sports, & more. Whether you’re a seasoned off-road enthusiast or a newcomer, their range of vehicles is sure to have the perfect ride for any level.
Tap the link in our bio to read more!🔗
#yamaha #yamaharideanddrive #rideanddrive #demoride #overlandexpo #overlandexpoeast
At this year`s Overland Expo East, you’re invited to experience a lineup of vehicles that take on challenges and conquer the outdoors. GMC is excited for you to discover the amped-up capability of the GMC AT4X lineup and see how you can take off-roading to even higher peaks.
Join us October 6-8th at Oak Ridge Estate, Arrington, Virginia, to see the trucks in person and get a walkthrough on-site.
If you can`t attend the show, you can still explore the full GMC AT4X lineup by clicking the link in our bio.🔗
#overlandexpo #gmc #at4x #overlandexpoeast
Take the all-new Honda Pilot TrailSport SUV for a spin at Overland Expo East next week!🛞
East will feature an on-site test track that will highlight the Pilot’s off-road capabilities in a variety of conditions that match what you might find during your overlanding trips.
Come check it out in Arrington at East—link in our bio to read more.🔗
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#overlandexpo #overlandexpoeast #honda #hondapilottrailsport #trailsport #hondapilot
We are excited to present our first episode of Cooking With Corso, sponsored by Benchmade!
To kickoff our 4-part series, @outdooreats365 shows us how to elevate your outdoor breakfast with his chilaquiles & stone smashed guacamole recipe.🤤
Head over to our YouTube to see Chef Corso demonstrate how to make this simple and delicious meal for you to try on your next outdoor adventure.🔗
Thank you for our series sponsor, @benchmadeknifecompany 🙏
#outdooreats #chefcorso #elevatedmeals #overlandcooking #overlandexpo
@fourwheelcampers (FWC) is excited to be a Title Sponsor of Overland Expo East!
This event provides the ideal platform for customers, prospective customers and FWC staff to engage, listen, learn, and have fun. See a broad product line that includes varied camper options to fit most truck brands and models.
For more, visit the link in our bio.🔗
📸 @travisburkephotography
#fourwheelcampers #overlandexpoeast #overlandexpo
@ok4wd has been in the business of building off-road vehicles and selling the top products in the industry since it first opened its garage doors in 1979. Driven by adventure-seeking customers, OK4WD takes pride in supporting its customers, from online retail to turn-key overland builds built in their shop. The company treats everyone like family.
Visit OK4WD`s booth at Overland Expo East to see the latest in off-road gear and tour purpose-built vehicles. Speak with professionals who live, eat, and breathe off-road travel and hit the trail with confidence.
#ok4wd #alucab #overlandexpoeast #overlandexpo
Great overlanders need elite tools to help them extend their adventures. The all-terrain @nokiantyresna Outpost nAT tire is crafted in North America and forged to help adventurers extend their toughness, terrain and travel.
The Outpost nAT is infused with blowout-resistant Aramid fibers and comes with a Pothole Protection warranty. It’s also certified with the three-peak mountain snowflake emblem that confirms it’s great for winter use. Overlanders can trust the Nokian Tyres Outpost nAT to guide them through every journey, from the everyday to the extreme.
Learn more at the link in our bio.🔗
#extendyouradventure #nokiantyres #craftedinusa #itsabeautifuljourney
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.