Overland Expo Mountain West took place Aug. 22-24 in Loveland, Colorado, featuring over 300 hours of educational sessions, community networking, incredible rigs, lots of gear and entertainment.
Evening events with food, drink and live music included the Avantlink Welcome Happy Hour, Bowen Customs’ Made in the USA party, Toyota Game Night with celebrity guest Jamie Little, Rider Justice’s Moto Party, Kaymar’s Aussie Night Happy Hour, and Camp Subaru LIVE. Women Who Wander hosted a fireside networking event with Chloe Kuo.
The Overland Expo Foundation Charity Raffle wrapped up Saturday night with lots of prizes and record-breaking support, raising over $17,000 for the foundation. During the daytime, Subaru found welcoming homes for dogs and cats needing to be rehoused.
Education Was at the Core of Overland Expo Mountain West
Education is an important part of every Overland Expo, and Mountain West was no exception with 295 classes, demos and workshops. Here are some of the highlights from the sessions:
- Backcountry & Culinary Pavilion – Sponsored by Rugged Luxury Motors: Camp cooking, first-aid and field skills taught attendees safety and self-sufficiency.
- Hands-On Pavilion – Tire repair demos and Scott Jensen’s Overland Radio Lab turned theory into action, while first-aid sessions with Lee Vernon gave attendees practical takeaways.
- Overland Essentials Area – Sponsored by GME Pty Ltd: Sessions on trip planning, navigation and communications, such as Graham Jackson’s planning fundamentals.
- Roundtable Pavilion – Interactive Q&A sessions, where experts shared travel insights on budgeting, medicine and destinations.
- Storytelling Pavilion – Patty Upton’s journey across 56,000 miles, including the Darien Gap.
- The Learning Lab – Sponsored by Wanderbox: Small-group sessions on budgeting, mission-driven travel and trip planning.
- Women Who Wander Pavilion– Sponsored by Chrysler: Sessions on vehicle mastery, solo travel and safety, mixed with community-driven conversations.
A Chrysler Concept Van & the Showcase & DIY Vehicle Area
At the event, Chrysler debuted a one-of-a-kind overlanding concept vehicle, the Pacifica Grizzly Peak. Outfitted with a lifted suspension, all-terrain tires and a rooftop tent, this minivan displayed the future of accessible, comfortable family exploration.
This year’s Showcase & DIY Vehicle Area featured everything from budget builds to cutting-edge expedition vehicles. Highlights included the Lostetters’ Toyota Tundra family camper, Mike & Deb Lee’s military-grade Stewart & Stevenson LMTV, Edmund Haemmerle’s Cybertruck camper with matching trailer, and Ine & Hans Korremans’ WOELCKE Runner R6 Sprinter.
The Exhibitors at Overland Expo Mountain West
The event had 347 exhibitors on site, where attendees shopped for gear, tested products, watched demos and product previews, and received show-exclusive discounts. RAM’s Ride & Drive course helped attendees build confidence and refine their driving skills on a custom off-road track.
Overland Expo Mountain West by the Numbers
- 18,000+ attendees
- 50% of attendees were new to Overland Expo
- 347 registered exhibitors
- 75 presenters, trainers and VIPs
- 63 attending media
- 28 staff
- 295 classes, seminars, demos, activities, slideshows and films, totaling 308-plus session hours of instruction
- Attendees from 49 states. The highest in attendance were from Colorado, Texas, Wyoming, California and New Mexico
- International attendees came from Australia, Chile, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands and Canada.
Next year’s event is scheduled for Aug. 21-23.