Overland Expo West returns to Flagstaff, Arizona, May 16–18, 2025. As the original and largest event in the Overland Expo series, West brings together the world’s top adventure travel experts, gear innovators and thousands of enthusiasts for a weekend of inspiration, education and community. Overland Expo West is widely regarded as the “grandfather of overlanding events,” according to event organizers in a press release.
The three-day schedule includes more than 400 exhibitors and over 300 hours of educational programming. From vehicle recovery techniques to backcountry culinary skills, Overland Expo West says it offers hands-on learning for everyone from curious beginners to seasoned explorers. Attendees can join sessions on topics like wilderness first-aid, recovery skills, content creation, route planning, cooking tips and gear essentials. There will also be film festival screenings, roundtable panels, product demos, and custom DIY overland rigs for people to explore.
“Overland Expo West is where this entire community began,” says Jessica Kirchner, VP of consumer events and show director for Overland Expo. “From the very first gathering in 2009, we’ve grown into a global series—but Flagstaff remains our flagship. It’s where overland legends gather, where gear debuts, and where lifelong adventure dreams take shape.”
A Legacy Built on Community
Created in 2009, Overland Expo was a place for travelers to share stories, learn skills and get inspired for their next adventure. What began as a modest gathering has since grown into a full-scale experience that now hosts five events across the U.S. each year.
Located at the gateway to the Grand Canyon and the Four Corners region, Flagstaff offers the perfect setting for adventure-minded travelers to come together and celebrate the spirit of overlanding, noted the press release. Event Highlights for Overland West 2025 Include:
- Overland Expo Film Festival sponsored by Krug Expedition (Friday, May 16): A celebration of global adventures and untold stories.
- Moto Party + Raffle (Friday, May 16): Sponsored by Rider Justice, this community event brings moto adventurers together for prizes, drinks and storytelling.
- Toyota Game Night (Friday, May 16): Attendees will enjoy free food, drinks, prizes and a surprise visit from a mystery celebrity guest.
- Women Who Wander Networking (Saturday, May 17): A dedicated space to connect, learn and share experiences with fellow women travelers.
- Overland Expo Foundation Charity Raffle (Saturday, May 17): This event gives back to the community while attendees have the chance to win top gear from premium overland brands.
New for 2025, the Women Who Wander Pavilion, sponsored by Rig Ready Systems, becomes an event series-wide addition, featuring female-focused programming tailored to the growing number of women in the overlanding community. Kid-friendly programming is also expanding, with activities including the RC course and sessions focused on visual storytelling and more. The Hands-On Pavilion sponsored by U-Haul International returns this year with small-group, skill-building sessions that dive deeper into high-impact overland techniques.
Camping at the Event
Camping on-site at Overland Expo West 2025 offers attendees a way to immerse themselves in the event. By setting up camp within Fort Tuthill County Park, participants are just steps away from classes, exhibitor booths and evening festivities.
Upcoming 2025 Overland Expo events:
- Overland Expo PNW – June 27-29, 2025, Redmond, OR
- Overland Expo Mountain West – August 22-24, 2025, Loveland, CO
- Overland Expo East – October 3-5, 2025, Arrington, VA