Must-Attend Summer Overlanding Events

April 17, 2023November 7, 2023 Michele Boyarsky 0 Comments Camper Van Builds, Overland Expo, Overlanding, Overlanding Events

Whether it’s a weekend in the backwoods or years surviving off the grid, overlanding takes many shapes and sizes. And regardless of how mild or wild your idea of the journey is, one thing’s for certain: Everyone can benefit from a little continuing education.

Every year, summer overlanding events take place all across the country, offering tips, tricks, gear recommendations, and other valuable instruction. We’ve rounded up some of the best-of-the-best, so you can begin adding them to your summer event list now.

Happy travels!

Overland Expo West

First up on our list of can’t-miss overlanding events may seem obvious, but it’s a worthy contender nonetheless. Held four times a year, the Overland Expo provides hours of how-to seminars, field training programs, driving demonstrations, hundreds of vendors, and plenty of food and fun.

Running May 19-21, is the first expo event on the calendar – Overland Expo West – held just outside Flagstaff, Arizona. Nestled among Ponderosa pines in Coconino County, the location is both picturesque and practical, as it offers ample opportunities for the event’s world-class experts to showcase hands-on survival and recovery skills. Aside from the classes and demos, you’ll also see all the latest overland-focused gear, products, and services from over 400 exhibitors. You’ll also get the chance to talk to fellow campers and overlanders who use that gear and get their unfettered opinions.

Buy yourself something nice, learn something new, and make a few friends in the process—what’s not to like?

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More Summer Fun

If you’re looking for something a further west, then consider holding out for the Overland Expo Pacific Northwest gathering July 7-9. Held at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds & Expo Center in Redmond, Oregon, this is the latest edition to the popular Overland Expos event series, just added in 2022. Year one brought in over 16,000 attendees from all over the country, as well as 345 registered exhibitors and 103 presenters, trainers, and VIPs — so, you don’t have to worry about this being anything even close to “small fry.”

If July doesn’t jive with your summer overlanding schedule, check out Overland Expo Mountain West in Loveland, Colorado. Running August 25-27, it’s the last Overland Expo event of the summer and the penultimate expo before the series heads to Arrington, Virginia for Overland Expo East October 6-8.

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Adventure Van Expo

If #vanlife is more your speed, then we suggest taking a trip out to picturesque Hood River, Oregon for the Adventure Van Expo. Running June 17-18, this family-friendly event is centered around incredible van builds but also features cool 4x4s and other adventure rigs. Check out the gear, racks, roof top tents, trailer tents and accessories, and rub elbows with both professional builders and first-time van owners. There’s live music and food trucks to enjoy, plus camping on-site and other fun things to do nearby (like biking, hiking, and windsurfing).

Better yet, since this is a growing movement, Adventure Van Expo has a full calendar of events for 2023. So, if June is already booked with an actual off-grid excursion, check out the series’ other exciting weekends in July – held in Colorado and Massachusetts – or clear your schedule for the Fall when the Expo heads to California and Tennessee.

NW and BC Overland Rallies

Head a little further west to the Pacific Coastal region June 15-18 for the NW Overland Rally in Plain, Washington or across the border for the BC Overland Rally in Merritt, British Columbia July 20-23.

In search of some great overlanding events? Head to the Pacific Coastal region in June for the Northwest and British Columbia Overland Rallies. — Overlanding events like the NW and BC rallies are a great way to meet fellow enthusiasts.

Both are annual events hosted by overland adventurers Ray and Marianne Hyland. (And when we say adventurers, we mean it. Along with their three kids, these two took a 1954 Land Rover through twelve countries on a 16,000-mile trip from London to Singapore!) The gatherings offer fellow enthusiasts a chance to swap stories, advice, and tricks of the trade, as well as meet vendors and explore the beautiful surrounding areas.

Stay up-to-date on all the exciting exhibitors making an appearance this year by following the Overland Adventure Rallies on Facebook or by visiting the website.

Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival

For those of you desperately seeking summer overlanding events on the East Coast—don’t worry, we found a little something for you, too. Held at the Henwood Farm, smack dab in the center of Pennsylvania is the Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival.

Pennsylvania might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think “overlanding” but we promise, this landscape has plenty excitement to offer. A celebration of all things overland, the Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival offers a full weekend of remote travel, mountain camping, and on-site instruction over 200 miles of off-road trails. Running August 10-13, MAOF 2023 also coincides with the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower—so expect some Instagram-worthy family pics to boot.

Snag a day pass to get a feel for the event or upgrade to the weekend pass and enjoy camping on the beautiful 220-acre farm in Huntingdon County that plays host to the festival. Check out the detailed schedule here so you know what classes to sign up for and don’t forget to follow the group on Facebook so you stay informed about any upcoming trail rides, vendor announcements, or exciting additions.

Descend on Bend

Another van rally? Yes, and not just any van rally, but the largest van gathering in North America. Descend on Bend is held annually in—you guessed it—Bend, Oregon, and celebrates everything wonderful, wacky, and weird about the overlanding lifestyle and the people who live it. Trust us when we say this event never ceases to entertain.

Activities includes trail runs, nature walks, sunrise yoga, chili and salsa contests, and several cocktail celebrations. Less about organized instruction and more about bonding with fellow enthusiasts, Descend on Bend is a great opportunity to unplug from the mayhem and enjoy some off-grid camping. And really, isn’t that a big part of what makes the overlanding movement so special?

The event runs Labor Day Weekend: September 1-4. Find registration information here.

Keweena Overland Adventure Retreat

If you’re looking for a change of scenery, check out the Keweenaw Overland Adventure Retreat. Held right outside the beautiful town of Copper Harbor, Michigan September 14-17, KOAR is one of the best summer overlanding events in the Midwest.

While relatively young compared to some of the other gatherings on this list, each year gets bigger and better than the last. Why not help it keep growing, and join the fun? Explore Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula with fellow overlanding enthusiasts, meet some cool vendors, and shop some fun gear. There are new camping options available for 2023, and three different types of day passes for those who don’t need lodging.