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.
2025 DATES TBA
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 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
Check out some of the best gear we came across at Overland Expo East ⚙️
With hundreds of brands showcasing epic overlanding and outdoor adventure gear, this is just a sampling of a few items that caught our eye.
👉 Head to the link in bio for the full roundup with details.
What did we miss? What do you have your eye on for future adventures?
🎥 @rick_stowe
—
#overlandexpo #overlandexpoeast #overlandgear #offroadgear #outdoorgear #campinggear
The Toyo Tires Open Country R/T Trail is ready for any overland adventure. Featuring an aggressive
tread design and extra-thick shoulder lugs, you’ll be confident that these tires will get you out and
back.
Where are you going for your next adventure?
🎥 @toyotires
—
#toyotires #offroadtires #overlanding #overlanding4x4
The world is out there waiting to be explored, and FunTreks Guidebooks will equip you with all the information you need to get out there.
Their off-road guidebooks provide peace of mind with custom-designed, turn-by-turn maps that highlight trouble spots and offer details on every aspect of the trails, so your only concern is how much fun you can fit into a single day.
Read more at the link in bio and plan your next adventure with one of their guidebooks ⛰️
📷 @funtreks
—
#funtreksguidebooks #offroadguide
Torque Wheels: Where durable performance meets style. 🛞 Founded by a Baja racer for those who conquer the toughest terrains, @TorqueWheels are built with craftsmanship and quality that drive them forward. They’re engineered to handle anything your overland adventures throw at you.
⛰️ Now available at Tirerack.com.
🔗 See the wheels on your rig at the link in bio.
📸 @andysedano_
—
#TorqueWheels #Overlanding #AdventureReady #OverlandExpo #Camping #offroadwheels
Reminiscing on Overland Expo East last weekend ☀️
What an incredible weekend with an incredible group of people. From all the attendees, instructors, and creators to the exhibitors, sponsors, vendors, and staff, this community is truly something special.
If you were at East, tag your new friends here, or tag someone you’d like to bring to an Overland Expo next year!
—
#overlandexpo #overlandexpoeast #overlandcommunity #overlandevent
Elevate your Overland adventures with Gaia GPS! Plan your route, track your journey, and explore hidden trails with confidence. With detailed maps and offline capabilities, @gaiagps ensures you’re always on the right path, no matter how remote.
Get out there, discover the unknown, and let Gaia GPS be your ultimate guide 🗺️
Learn more at the link in bio 🔗
#gaiagps
That’s a wrap on Overland Expo East 2024, what an incredible weekend! This community blows us away every time - you are what makes this event so special.
A huge thank you to all of our attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, vendors, and staff for joining us in Virginia for our last event of the year!
From all the education sessions, demos, and hundreds of exhibitors showing off their amazing products, to the Ride & Drives, happy hours, the raffle, and fun evening events, we have a blast every time we get together.
What was your favorite part?
Watch the full recap video at the link in bio 🔗
🎥 @trail.huntr
—
#overlandexpo #overlandexpoeast #overlandcommunity #overlandevent
Day 2 was a blast, welcome to Day 3 of Overland Expo East! It’s another beautiful day here in Virginia and we’ve got education sessions running all day, hundreds of brands showcasing the best overland and outdoor adventure gear, show specials, great food, and lots more!
This is the final day of our last event of the year. Thank you to all of those who have joined us and are part of this amazing community!
—
#overlandexpo #overlandexpoeast #overlandcommunity #overlandevent
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.