If you’re into building out your offroad rig, getting off the grid, or just taking a quick weekend trip, Overland Expo West 2025 was the place to be. Held May 16–18 in the cool pines of Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff, Arizona, this year’s event brought the heat – minus the actual heat, thanks to some 40+mph gusty nights, temps in the 30s and some hail one night. But that’s what we all signed up for. Challenge accepted.

As the biggest and most well-known stop on the Overland Expo circuit, West once again delivered a mix of hands-on training, gear showcases, and a strong sense of community. Whether you rolled in with a fully built rig or were just getting started on your overlanding journey, there was something for every skill level.

Skills for the Trail, Straight from the Pros

Over 300 hours of training and more than 175 classes were on tap this year, covering everything from winching to backcountry cooking. Want to get your hands dirty? There were classes on wrenching and first aid classes like stop the bleed. They also had classes on route planning, offgrid communication, and personal safety to name a few.

Gear Heaven: 400+ Exhibitors Strong

If gear is your thing, and let’s be real, if you’re an overlander, then gear is definitely yourthing – you could spend most of your time wandering the exhibitor space. With over 400 vendors on site, this was a showcase of the latest and greatest in overlanding vehicles, big and small, rooftop tents, recovery gear, trailers, gadgets, and more. It was the perfect chance to kick tires, ask questions, and see what’s new in the world of backcountry travel. 

It’s one thing to watch countless videos on YouTube of someone reviewing the couple of rooftop tents you’re looking at. It’s quite another to be able to actually get hands-on and climb up in them and compare. That’s a beauty of Overland Expo. All the products you’re shopping for in one place and best of all, you can speak directly to the sales staff and often the owner, to answer any questions you have and learn more about the people behind the products. 

It’s a Community Thing

One of the best parts of the Overland Expo is the people. This year, the community vibe was great. The Women Who Wander Pavilion helped bring more diversity to the scene, while families had plenty to keep the kids engaged, from RC courses to storytelling zones. At night, the Krug Expedition-sponsored Film Festival and Rider Justice Moto Party kept the energy high and the conversations flowing.

Camp, Chill, Repeat

Camping on-site was once again a big win. There’s nothing like waking up in the pines, coffee in hand, surrounded by your rig and like-minded adventurers. Fort Tuthill’s setup made it easy to bounce from classes to gear demos to happy hour without ever leaving the action. And if you wanted a break, you could always take the short(ish) hike back to your campsite for some food, relaxation, and a recharge. 

You’d find a lot of fellow campers just walking the campgrounds to get ideas on how to better outfit their rig. And if you had any questions, everyone was more than willing to help out and tell you their experience with their setup. I personally had what turned into a 2.5-hour conversation with a gentleman that started when he asked about my diesel heater. It was an amazing conversation, and I definitely made a new friend. 

What impressed me most was how respectful everyone was in camp. 

Let’s be honest. We were all crammed together pretty tight. And as overlanders, we tend to want to find the most remote campsites and have them all to ourselves. So we were all a bit out of our element. But everyone found the balance. Everyone was friendly but gave space when desired. Quiet hours at night were actually quiet. No loud parties late into the night like you’ll find at public campgrounds packed with RV’s. Everyone understood the assignment.

In short, Overland Expo West 2025 wasn’t just another gear show. It was a full-blown experience. Education, exploration, and a whole lot of gear talk – it’s everything an Overlander could ask for, packed into one unforgettable weekend.