Overlanding. What is it? Overlanding is the act of self-reliant travel to remote destinations where the journey is more important than the destination.

For some, Overlanding is a weekend getaway spent camping off the beaten path. For others, it’s months or even years spent exploring remote corners of the globe in a purpose-built vehicle. No matter how you define it, Overlanding is an adventure.

And Overland Expo is the world’s premiere event for overlanders.

I started camping with my Dad in the Mojave when I was 12 years old. Over time that grew as a gathering of like-minded individuals who were interested in learning more about this style of travel and sharing their own experiences. The activity has grown exponentially in both size and scope in the years since, and there are events that have become the must-attend gathering for anyone interested in Overlanding in the eastern United States.

I was lucky enough to attend several gatherings in 2022, and it did not disappoint. One event was held at the James River Rooftop Tent Rally in Virginia, and there were attendees from all over the eastern US (and even a few from Canada and Europe!). There were dozens of vendors selling everything from forged tools to canvas organizers of all types, and there were plenty of opportunities to learn from experts in the field.

I attended seminars on topics like trip planning, vehicle recovery, and more. I also got to meet other overlanders and swap stories around the campfire. Even though I’ve been Overlanding for a few years now, I always come away from each event with new knowledge and a renewed sense of excitement for this style of travel.

If you’re interested in Overlanding, or even if you’re just curious about what it’s all about, I highly recommend checking out the items on my events page. It’s an event that truly has something for everyone. And who knows, maybe you’ll catch the Overlanding bug as I did!