Overland Expo West, the premier overlanding event in the U.S., returns to Flagstaff, Arizona, May 16–18, 2025. As the original and largest event in the Overland Expo series, 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. The program schedule will include Truck Camper Adventure’s very own Mello Mike (Michael Smith) who will be teaching his popular Payload Ratings and Truck Campers class.
More than 300 hours of educational programming, including over 150 classes, demos, and roundtables will be taught during the jam-packed, three-day schedule. From beginners to seasoned experts, Overland Expo West offers an unmatched educational experience for all skill levels. Topics include wilderness first-aid, recovery skills, content creation, route planning, cooking tips, and gear essentials. You can even enjoy film festival screenings, roundtable panels, product demos, and check out custom DIY overland rigs.
Mello Mike’s Payload Ratings and Truck Campers—Getting It Right class will be held Saturday immediately after the lunch break at 1pm at the Bivvy near the main entrance (#6 on the 2025 Overland Expo West map). Click here to view the entire class schedule
The extensive list of exhibitors includes several truck camper manufacturers and companies associated with the truck camper industry including Four Wheel Campers, Scout/Adventurer Manufacturing, Kingstar Campers, Supertramp, Overland Explorer Vehicles, BundutecUSA, Rugged Mountain, Soaring Eagle, Elevation Off Grid, Bowen Customs, Cube Series RV, and Buckstop Truckware. If you’re interested in seeing some of the latest models of truck campers and talking with many movers and shakers of the industry, this is the place to do it.
“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
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. The event map can be found by clicking here.
Event Highlights for Overland West 2025 Include:
- Overland Expo Film Festival sponsored by Krug Expedition (Friday, May 16 at 7 pm): A celebration of global adventures and untold stories.
- Moto Party and Raffle (Friday, May 16, 7–9 pm): Sponsored by Rider Justice, this beloved community event brings moto adventurers together for prizes, drinks, and storytelling.
- Toyota Game Night (Friday, May 16, 7 pm): Enjoy free food, drinks, prizes, and a surprise visit from a mystery celebrity guest.
- Women Who Wander Networking (Saturday, May 17, 10–11 am): A dedicated space to connect, learn, and share experiences with fellow women travelers.
- Overland Expo Foundation Charity Raffle (Saturday, May 17, 7–9 pm): Give back to the community while winning 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. 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 and Tickets
Camping on-site at Overland Expo West 2025 offers attendees an unparalleled 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, 2025 | Redmond, OR
- Overland Expo Mountain West – August 22-24, 2025 | Loveland, CO
- Overland Expo East – October 3-5, 2025 | Arrington, VA
For more information, visit www.overlandexpo.com and join us for the next event.
About The Overland Expo
Founded in 2009, Overland Expo is the world’s premier event series for do-it-yourself adventure travel enthusiasts. Hundreds of exhibitors of adventure travel equipment, camping gear, bikes, vehicles, and services convene at every Overland Expo event. Each Expo hosts hundreds of session hours of classes, including off-road driving techniques, adventure motorcycling, inspirational programs, roundtable discussions, demonstrations and the Overland Film Festival. Overland Expo is owned and produced by Emerald.
Be the first to comment