Overland Expo announced its return to Flagstaff, Arizona, May 16-18. As the original and largest event in the Overland Expo series, Overland Expo West is widely regarded as the “grandfather of overlanding events” — bringing together the world’s top adventure travel experts, gear innovators and thousands of enthusiasts for a weekend of inspiration, education, and community.
More than 400 exhibitors and over 300 hours of educational programming, including 150-plus classes, demos and roundtables, await attendees across a jam-packed three-day schedule. From vehicle recovery techniques to backcountry culinary skills, Overland Expo West offers hands-on learning for everyone from curious beginners to seasoned explorers.
“Overland Expo West is where this entire community began,” said Jessica Kirchner, vice president 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
Born out of a shared passion for international exploration and vehicle-based travel, Overland Expo was created in 2009 as 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.
Event Highlights for Overland West 2025 Include:
- Overland Expo Film Festival sponsored by Krug Expedition (Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m.): A celebration of global adventures and untold stories.
- Moto Party + Raffle (Friday, May 16, 7–9 p.m.): Sponsored by Rider Justice, this beloved community event brings moto adventurers together for prizes, drinks and storytelling.
- Toyota Game Night (Friday, May 16, 7 p.m.): Enjoy free food, drinks, prizes and a surprise visit from a mystery celebrity guest.
- Women Who Wander Networking (Saturday, May 17, 10–11 a.m.): A dedicated space to connect, learn, and share experiences with fellow women travelers.
- Overland Expo Foundation Charity Raffle (Saturday, May 17, 7–9 p.m.): Give back to the community while winning top gear from premium overland brands.
- Subaru Dog Adoption Event: Meet your new best friend (date to be announced).
With 175-plus specialized classes, demos and activities and 400-plus hours of instruction available, Overland Expo West offers an educational experience for all skill levels. Attendees can join sessions on topics like wilderness first-aid, recovery skills, content creation, route planning, cooking tips and gear essentials. Plus, enjoy film festival screenings, roundtable panels, product demos, and check out custom DIY overland rigs.
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. Due to popular demand, 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.
To support media attending the event, Overland Expo West provides a Media Room with dedicated workspace and sponsor-hosted luncheons from TROVOCA (Friday, May 16) and ROA OFF-ROAD (Saturday, May 17).
Camping & Tickets
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 all the action — attending classes, exploring exhibitor booths or joining evening festivities. This proximity allows for a seamless experience, eliminating the need for daily commutes and providing more time to engage with the overlanding community.
Overland Expo West offers day passes, weekend passes and premium camping packages. Attendees are encouraged to secure tickets early as camping spots are expected to sell out. Buy tickets and camping passes here.
Upcoming 2025 Overland Expo events:
- Overland Expo PNW – June 27-29 | Redmond, OR
- Overland Expo Mountain West – August 22-24 | Loveland, CO
- Overland Expo East – October 3-5 | Arrington, VA
For more information, visit overlandexpo.com.
