Overland Expos, Rallies, Events in 2020
As Joe and I plan out the various overland events and RV Shows we want to attend this year, I have been looking up all the different overland expos and rallies happening around the U.S. and Canada.
While I found a laundry list of off-road events, this list will focus on 2020 overland events including the popular Overland Expo series, Overland Rallies and Adventure Van Expos.
2020 Overland Expos, Rallies, Events
The overland events listed below are in chronological order. If you can only attend one event, my recommendation is to check out Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Watch this video of Overland Expo West to get an idea of what to expect.
February 15-16 Midwest Overlanding and Off-Road Expo
Location: Ozark Empire Fairgrounds – Springfield, MO
Website: https://mooreexpo.com
This overland event in Missouri includes two days of courses and seminars that range from overlanding basics to avoiding illegal detention while traveling.
March 7-8 Four Wheeler Adventure Expo
Location: OC Fair & Event Center – Costa Mesa, CA
Website: https://www.fourwheeler.com/adventure-expo/
This adventure expo in Southern California will have gear for off-road enthusiasts, mountain bikers, hikers, rock climbers along with utvs and off-road vehicles.
March 21-22 Four Wheel Campers SoCal Grand Opening
Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Website: https://fourwheelcampers.com/events/
A well known pop-up camper manufacturer for the overland community, Four Wheel Campers will be hosting a grand opening event with food and drinks at their new Southern California showroom.
April 18-19 Adventure Travel Expo SW
Location: TBD
Website: https://www.adventuretravelexposw.com
This off-road and overland travel expo started out as a way to connect businesses and consumers together within New Mexico. Expect onsite product demons, training courses, and exhibitions at this event.
April 18-19 Scottsdale Off-Road Expo
Location: WestWorld of Scottsdale – Scottsdale, AZ
Website: https://www.offroadexpo.com/
Presented by Nitto, this expo in Arizona will bring together an array of manufacturers in the off-road overlanding space.
April 24-26 Smoky Mountain Overland Rally
Location: Cosby – TN
Website: https://www.smorally.com
A three day overland rally in Tennessee with classes and trail rides.
May 1-3 Spring Overland Challenge
Location: Uwharrie, NC
Website: https://www.southernxpeditions.com/overland-challenge
A three day overland challenge on the East Coast consisting of 30 teams utilizing the Uwharrie National Forest OHV trail system.
May 8-10 CTV Family Reunion East Coast
Location: Windrock Park – Oliver Springs, TN
Website: https://cascadiatents.com/events/
Cascadia Vehicle Tents is a well established roof top tent manufacturer with locations in Oregon and Tennessee. They will be hosting the first east coast gathering at Windrock Park this year for overland adventure travelers.
May 15-17 Overland Expo West
Location: Ft. Tuthill County Park – Flagstaff, AZ
Website: https://www.overlandexpo.com/west
One of our favorite overland events in the U.S. Overland Expo West is a three day event that will offer countless number of overland rigs on display including flatbed truck campers and adventure vans. When you’re not busy looking at adventure vehicles, you can take an off-road driving course, go for a motorcycle demo ride, attend one of many classes or watch an overland film for inspiration.
May 29-31 Red Clay Rally
Location: Lexington, KY to Johnson City, TN
Website: https://www.redclayrally.com
This is a three day, 600 mile overland rally with one goal: finish.
May 30-31 Adventure Van Expo Big Bear Lake
Location: 630 Bartlett Road Big Bear Lake, CA
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/big-bear-lake
This expo is mostly focused around overland travel in a van, but there will be plenty of overland gear to check out and adventure rigs to tour. This adventure expo series consists of six events throughout the summer in different locations.
June 18-21 Northwest Overland Rally
Location: Private Ranch – Leavenworth, WA
Website: http://www.nwoverlandrally.com/
It doesn’t matter what type of adventure rig you have, all you have to do is show up and enjoy all that the NW Overland Rally has to offer. There will be welcome cocktails and wine tasting to advanced driving course taught by certified 4WD instructors.
June 25-28 BC Overland Rally
Location: Whistler Olympic Park – Whistler, BC
Website: http://www.bcoverlandrally.com
BCOR is a popular overland event in British Colombia, Canada that draws a big crowd every summer. Enjoy camping, learning and community building at this overland rally.
July 10-12 RecCon Montana Adventure Van Expo
Location: 32 Campus Dr. Missoula, MT
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/ and https://www.recconmontana.com
July 20-21 Adventure Van Expo Mt. Hood
Location: 14040 Oregon 35 Mt Hood, OR
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/mt-hood-meadows
July 25-26 Adventure Van Expo Grand Targhee
Location: 3300 Ski Hill Rd, Alta, WY
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/
July 30-August 2 Rocky Mountain Overland Rally
Location: 850 County Road 49 – Gunnison, CO
Website: https://rockymountainoverlandrally.com
Part of the WA and BC overland rally series, this one is in Colorado.
August 7-9 CTV Family Reunion
Location: Newberry National Volcanic Monument – Bend, OR
Website: https://cascadiatents.com/events/
August 10-11 Adventure Van Expo Dillon
Location: 201 W Lodgepole Street, Dillon, CO
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/dillon-colorado
August 13-16 Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival
Location: Henwood Farm – Huntingdon, PA
Website: http://www.overlandfestival.com
MAOF is a popular overland event presented by Mainline Overland, a well established off-road and expedition vehicle outfitter. The overland festival will feature courses, giveaways and events for the whole family.
August 15-16 Adventure Van Expo Mt. Hood
Location: 14040 Oregon 35 Mt Hood, OR
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/mt-hood-meadows
August 22-23 Adventure Van Expo Dillon
Location: 201 W Lodgepole Street Dillon, CO
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/dillon-colorado
August 28-30 Overland Expo Mountain West
Location: The Ranch – Loveland, CO
Website: https://www.overlandexpo.com/mtnwest
September 3-7 Descend on Bend
Location: Outback Station – La Pine, OR
Website: https://www.descendonbend.com/
Any vehicle you take to go camping is welcome at this leave-no-trace event in Oregon (including bicycles). Show off your cooking skills at the Friday night potluck and get ready to make friends and have a good time.
September 5-6 Adventure Van Expo Lake Tahoe
Location: TBD
Website: https://www.adventurevanexpo.com/lake-tahoe
September 17-20 Keweenaw Overland Adventure Retreat
Location: Trails End Campground Copper – Harbor, MI
Website: https://keweenawoverlandadventureretreat.com
KOAR is a basecamp style overland event that includes camping, hiking, biking and paddling in Copper Country.
September 24-27 Vermont Overland Birdwatching Safari
Location: 419 Baileys Mills Road Reading, VT
Website: https://www.vermontoverland.com/vobs
Birdwatching and overlanding enthusiasts in Vermont can join this event to view their favorite indigenous bird species. There will also be stops at local shops, historic sites, breweries and views of the fall foliage.
October 3-4 Texas Avid Outdoors Fall Expo
Location: Oxford Ranch Campground – Llano, TX
Website: http://www.texasavidoutdoors.com
This popular outdoors expo in Texas is also known as the Texas Overland Expo. The organizers have been putting on this even to courage attendees to get off the highway and explore the outdoors.
October 4-6 Off-Grid Expo
Location: Jefferson County Fairgrounds – Golden, CO
Website: https://offgridexpo.com
This three day expo features innovative products in the outdoor industry along with live music, expert talks and a weekend of camping at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.
October 9-11 Overland Expo East
Location: Infinity Downs – Arrington, VA
Website: https://www.overlandexpo.com/east
October 16-18 Rendezvous in the Ozarks
Location: Ozark National Forest – AR
Website: https://www.naturalstateoverland.org
Join overland travel enthusiasts in the Ozarks for three days of adventure and camping in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas.
November 3-6 SEMA Show – Overland Experience
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center – Las Vegas, NV
Website: https://www.semashow.com
While overland adventure travel is not the focus at SEMA, there is a dedicated area hosted by the folks that put on the Overland Expo series. Attend seminars on overland travel and check out some adventure rigs.
Why Attend an Overland Event?
- Learn something new. There is a wealth of knowledge at these events so get ready to soak up a lot of information. Whether it’s chatting with a fellow attendee or meeting a factory representative that makes one of your overland components, there is quite a bit you can learn at these events.
- Tour overland vehicles. Maybe you’re in the market for a rig or looking to upgrade your own, there are always plenty of rigs to check out at an overland event.
- Find cool gear. From window covering and coffee to lithium batteries and electric scooters, there is never a shortage of cool gear at these overland events. Sometimes the vendors run a show special so you can get a great deal on gear.
- Connect with awesome folks. The overland community is made up of some pretty terrific human beings. So get ready to make a friend or two or ten.
Know of an overland rally or event that should be included on this list? Leave a comment below.
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