Overlanding in Northern Arizona and the 15th Anniversary of Overland Expo West

Introduction

Each May, thousands of outdoor recreationalists and industry professionals flock to Flagstaff for Overland Expo West. As the world’s premiere event for adventure offroad travel, Overland Expo features rigs and gear of all niches and varieties and brings the overlanding community together for a weekend of discussions, workshops, demonstrations, and food and drinks. Here at Peace Outfitters, although not an overland-specific establishment, we’re ready to welcome the Overland Expo to town for it’s 15 th anniversary.

What is Overlanding?

Put simply, overlanding is a form of self-sufficient offroad/cross-country travel and lodging. Typically, but not always, it is accomplished using mechanized offroad transport – motorized or otherwise. It places an emphasis on DIY ideas and self-reliance to reach remote destinations for extended periods of time, from a few days to even months or years.

Historically, the term ‘overlanding’ comes from an Australian term used to describe livestock droving in the early 1900s. In the 1940s, new roads were constructed across the country that opened up the Outback to travel and settlement. In the middle of the century, with the advent of commercially available four-wheel-drive vehicles, mechanized overlanding was born. Then, in the 1960s, commercial overland travel began to boom as tour companies across the world offered vehicular travel and lodging opportunities. Today, overlanding boasts an industry all its own, particularly in the United States. In fact, in 2022, the market for rooftop tents (one very small piece of the overlanding world at large) was nearly $156 million.

In the overland world, the setup or kit someone uses (that is, their vehicle, all their gear, and the way it is set up) is called a rig. Just like a thru-hiker’s backpacking kit, a climber’s rack, draws, and ropes, or a splitboarder’s backcountry touring setup, an overlander’s rig is a means to an end. An overlanding vehicle, sleep system, kitchen setup, medical equipment, and other tools are vital pieces of equipment that together serve to allow you to explore the terrain you want in the way you want. However, because modern overlanding is characterized by mechanized vehicular travel, an overlander’s vehicle is arguably the most important piece of gear to be acquired, dialed in, built out, and maintained. Popular overlanding models include the Land Cruiser, Tacoma, and 4Runner from Toyota, the Land Rover Defender, and the iconic Jeep Wrangler.

Outside of one’s rig, another key component of overlanding is self-sufficiency. Since overlanders are often out for extended periods, it is vital to have route-planning experience and do research ahead of time. Overlanders carry ample supplies for a variety of terrains and conditions, from food and water to medical equipment and tools for vehicle repair and backcountry navigation and communication.

Overlanding in Northern Arizona

Arizona has become a popular overlanding destination in recent years, and for good reason. The state’s geographic diversity, vast expanses of public land, and extensive network of access roads across said public land makes it ideal country for offroad vehicular travel. Northern Arizona in particular offers some of the most favorable overlanding terrain; across the Cononino, Kaibab, Prescott, and Tonto National Forests there is nearly 8 million acres of National Forest land, each with their own massive networks of Forest Service Roads of varying ruggedness and difficulty. From the high Ponderosa pine forests around Flagstaff to the red rock expanses of Sedona, Cottonwood, and Camp Verde to the beauty of Arizona’s Transition Zone around the Mogollon Rim, the opportunities for overland travel are seemingly endless. Moreover, north of Flagstaff, as one approaches the Utah border near Vermillion Cliffs National Monument and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, there are large swaths of public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, offering ample space and opportunities for travel, camping, and
boondocking.

Overlanding in Northern Arizona, however, does require a few unique considerations:

1. Terrain: Northern Arizona boasts a diverse range of terrain, including high alpine zones, mountain forests, high desert/grasslands, red rock desert, and rugged canyons. It is not uncommon for overlanders to cross many of these zones within the same day, so come prepared for varying types of below-wheel terrain and road conditions.
2. Climate and weather: Due to the region’s geographic diversity, weather and conditions can be highly variable and change rapidly. In the summer, temperatures can soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit while afternoon monsoons can dump multiple inches of rainfall in a few hours, increasing flash flood risk in many areas. Conversely, in the winter, areas above the Mogollon Rim experience large amounts of snowfall. For instance, at around 7000 feet above sea level, the Flagstaff area receives an average annual snowfall of 100 inches.
3. Water: much of Northern Arizona is high desert, and the high alpine areas above the Mogollon Rim and around Flagstaff are largely volcanic. This means that water sources tend to be few and far between. Overlanders in the region should carry ample amounts of water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and hygiene. What water sources do exist, furthermore, can often be dirty and/or silty. If you plan on getting water from natural sources, be sure to carry a reliable filtering system.

2024 Overland Expo West

This year, the annual gathering of all things Overland celebrates it 15 th anniversary. From Friday, May 17th to Sunday, May 19 th , 2024, Fort Tuthill County Park will welcome thousands of overlanding enthusiasts and brand representatives for more than 1000 exhibitions and more than 300 session-hours of classes, slideshows, demonstrations, and activities. While the event is always special, this year will be especially so in celebration of its 15 th anniversary. As such, there are numerous events and activities that attendees should be sure they don’t miss.

1. 15th Anniversary Party – Friday, May 17th , 5-7pm: Join Overland Expo founders Roseann and Jonathan Hansen at the XPLOR Oasis Bar and Food Court for a special Overland celebration as part of the Maxxis Tires Happy Hour.
2. INEOS Granadier Ride and Drive Course – Friday, May 17th to Sunday, May 19th during show hours: Overland Expo West 2024 is your chance to test drive the all new, groundbreaking INEOS Granadier, a purpose-built off-roader. With exceptional ground clearance, wading depth, and departure angles built to handle any terrain, the Granadier is positioned to become the vehicle of choice for offroad enthusiasts across North America.
3. Overland Expo Film Festival – Friday, May 17th , 7-9pm: Don’t miss the 10th season of the Overland Expo Film Festival, which will feature a curated selection of films documenting vehicle based travel adventures both near and far. This year the selected films are the following: New American Dream, 10 Years on the Road, and Camp 6 Road. A Route Through the Heart of the Chiquibul. Check out the films and their film makers here.
4. Overland Expo Raffles – Friday, May 17th and Saturday, May 18th , 7-9pm: Don’t miss your chance to win more than $10,000 in giveaway prizes from sponsors on Friday and Saturday night. Raffle proceeds support the Overland Expo Foundation, which provides scholarships for overlanders and supports organizations to maintain and increase access to public lands.
5. 15th Anniversary Group Photo – Friday, May 17th , during Happy Hour: Want to become a part of Overland Expo history? Grab your friends, both old and new, and join the community for a group photo at the XPLOR Oasis Bar and Food Court.
6. Flagstaff Community Cleanup, Monday, May 20th , 8am-12pm: Join the Overland Expo Foundation to make a positive impact on the environment at Fort Tuthill post-Expo. This is a great opportunity to give back to the community, enjoy the outdoors, and connect with like-minded individuals by contributing to a cleaner environment in beautiful Northern Arizona.

Although the Expo doesn’t officially start until Friday, Downtown Flagstaff will begin welcoming
the Expo to town on Wednesday, May 15th with the Overland Expo West kickoff party, Gear and
Beer. Join Peace Outfitters and other downtown Flagstaff businesses for a walking tour of rigs
and local craft beer. Each participating business will feature rigs set up outside along with beer
from different Flagstaff breweries.

Conclusion

Overlanding is a rapidly growing community and industry connecting itself to the outdoors in new and innovative ways. With Overland Expo West 2024 rapidly approaching, be sure to secure your ticket to take part in all the 15th anniversary celebrations and learn about the future of the overlanding world. At Peace Outfitters, we believe that experiencing and immersing oneself in the outdoors can take many forms. We’re excited to welcome the Expo to town with the Gear and Beer kickoff party and connect with overlanders both at the Expo and at our store in Downtown Flagstaff. See you out there!