Feature Image Courtesy of The Journal of Lost Time
AMERICAN NORTHWEST
Northwest Overland Rally
When: June 20-23, 2024
Where: Leavenworth, Washington
The Northwest Overland Rally caters to keeners curious about anything from winching to photography, off-pavement driving skills, or seasoning your cast-iron pot. Join a wine-tasting, whiskey-sharing, or happy hour session before the evening’s lively campfire presentation and raffle. The event is intimate and community-oriented and lives up to its motto: “Have fun, make friends, learn stuff.”
$265/two-person or family entry, $145+/single person weekend entry, $70+/day pass | overlandadventurerallies.com
Adventure Van Expo Hood River
When: June 22-23, 2024
Where: Hood River Fairgrounds, Oregon
The Adventure Van Expo is about all things (you guessed it) vanlife, including over 50 vendors, weekend camping, and a DIY contest rated by van build experts. Live music, food trucks, and regional craft brews are on offer, while adventure films will be shown at dusk. Don’t miss the educational presentations, which delve into topics including gear, tools, and the intricacies of solar usage.
The Adventure Van Expo offers a handful of events this summer season, including Boise, ID (June 29-30), Evergreen, CO (July 27-28), and Ballston Spa, NY (August 3-4).
$90+/camping, $10/entrance | adventurevanexpo.com
Overland Expo Pacific Northwest
When: June 28-30, 2024
Where: Deschutes County Expo Center, Redmond, Oregon
With over 150 classes, slideshows, and activities, you’d be hard-pressed not to learn something new at Overland Expo PNW. If the classroom isn’t your thing, no problem; there are plenty of exhibitors, motorcycle demos, and happy hours to keep you occupied. Plus, the event offers on-site camping in a grassy field with thousands of your closest newfound friends.
$185+/vehicle camping packages, $160/moto camping packages, $25+/general admission, 20 percent discount for military personnel | overlandexpo.com/pacific-northwest
Holy Toledo Vanlife and Overlanding Gathering
When: July 25-29, 2024
Where: Green at Waterfront Park, Toledo, Oregon
Held on the shores of Oregon’s Yaquina River, Holy Toledo offers a relaxed weekend of morning yoga, local music talent, and family-friendly activities, including chalk painting on Toledo’s Main Street, a chance to strike out at Muggly’s bowling center, and guided kayak and paddleboard tours in the nearby estuary. Looking for something more permanent? Tattoo artists are offering daily ink consultants while Chris Whillock will host woodcarving demos.
$75+ | holytoledogathering.com
SOUTH/SOUTHWEST USA
The Caravan
When: June 6-10, 2024
Where: Naturita, Colorado
This vanlife event offers everything from basic safety and recovery techniques to cooking classes, bingo, and a women’s self-defense workshop. Stay satiated by visiting the coffee cart, attending an ice cream social, or grabbing breakfast on Main Street before partaking in one of the many activities offered and enjoying a DJ set each evening. Want to get that heart pounding? Take an afternoon cold plunge with a certified breathwork and cold exposure facilitator.
$75+ | letscaravantogether.com
NWA Rigs & Coffee
When: June 8, July 13, August 10, 2024 (8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.)
Where: Bentonville, Arkansas
The official Arkansas chapter of Rigs & Coffee, the NWA is a monthly meet hosted by the Express Rally at the Hub Bike Lounge in Bentonville, Arkansas. Whether you’re riding an adventure bike or piloting a Unimog, the event is open to all who enjoy taking the road less traveled. Add a cup of hot coffee to the mix for the ultimate weekend morning of socializing and car talk.
Free to join | expressrally.com
Snow Peak Way Central
When: July 26-28, 2024
Where: Sundance Mountain Resort, Utah
Held at the Sundance Mountain Resort, Snow Peak Way offers a blend of activities with a focus on the much-coveted ‘unprogrammed free time.’ Those longing for a break from luxurious activity-absent time can partake in workshops and informal demonstrations, which offer a chance to connect with fellow outdoor enthusiasts in an environment suited to reconnecting with nature. The cherry on top is an alpine camping experience with views of the Wasatch mountain range. Note that tickets are available to purchase from July 8 to 11.
$100 | snowpeak.com
Helly Hansen Summit Sleepover
When: August 2024
Where: Vail Mountain, Colorado
This unique experience takes place on Vail Mountain, where you will spend a night under the Colorado stars with a friend, enjoying adventure activities, sunrise yoga, fine dining, alpine entertainment, and a Helly Hansen gear package valued at over $600. This event is part of Helly Hansen’s series of guided hikes, specialist trainings, and workshops with outdoor professionals. To sign up for this event and others both local and international, visit Helly Hansen’s website and Instagram page.
The 54th Annual Sierra Trek
When: August 8-11, 2024
Where: Truckee, California
In 1966, a group of Jeeps re-established a long-forgotten wagon route that was eventually turned into a new trail ride and fundraiser for the California Four-wheel Drive Association. Since then, the annual Sierra Trek has grown into a five-day event featuring group trail rides, a raffle, games, and ranch-style meals. This year’s Trek includes a High Sierra whiskey tasting contest, RC 4×4 course, vehicle show, cornhole tournament, and live music by Diva Rox. If you’re eager to hit the trails, opt for the historic tour of the Gold Country, an overnight trip around the Tahoe Basin, or the point-to-point Fordyce Trail.
$325/Wednesday + Thursday overnight, $275/run registration, $215/camping + food + entertainment, $150/camping + entertainment| cal4wheel.com/events/sierra-trek
iKamper Campout
When: August 9-11, 2024
Where: Laytonville, California
iKamper is gearing up for its annual community celebration, complete with great food, off-roading, live music, and sleeping under the stars. Held at California’s Black Oaks Ranch amongst oak trees and rolling hills, the three-day event offers product demos, chef-prepared meals, and the opportunity for exploration and connecting with like-minded community members. The campout is open to owners of an iKamper or guests of an iKamper owner.
$169/adult with vehicle, $59/adult (no vehicle), $49/kids | ikamper.com
Dusty Lizard by Mosko Moto
When: August 16-18, 2024
Where: Silverton, Colorado
The jury is out as to whether you’ll feel like a dusty lizard after this weekend event put on by Mosko Moto and held in the San Juan mountains. Mosko will provide suggested routes with GPX files for adventure and dual sport bikes and take care of the live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Several vendors will attend, including Ruby Moto Lights, Taco Moto Co, and Bivouac Coffee. Full Gear Female will provide training sessions onsite, covering terrain, trail etiquette, group communication and safety, and more.
Overland Expo Mountain West
When: August 23-25, 2024
Where: Loveland, Colorado
Held in Loveland, a mere hour north of Denver, Colorado, Mountain West is part of Overland Expo’s well-rounded event series, features over 300 exhibitors, and a wealth of educational programming. New to the circuit this year is a multi-purpose area called the Storytelling Pavillion, which features education on all things content creation. Head to the motorcycle demos for hands-on learning or to the Oasis bar and food court for lemonade and spicy tacos.
$160+/vehicle camping packages, $140/moto camping packages, $26+/general admission, 20 percent discount for military personnel | overlandexpo.com/pacific-northwest
AMERICAN MIDWEST
Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival
When: July 25-28, 2024
Where: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
This four-day festival begins with a bang at Davidson Park, where the opening ceremonies and headliner musical acts Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jelly Roll, and Hardy will perform on the Milwaukee lakefront. The event offers additional entertainment, local food and beverages, and a chance to witness the electrifying Nitro Circus pulling off gravity-defying stunts in Veterans Park.
$200+/2-day general admission, $125+/1-day general admission | hdhomecoming.com
AMERICAN NORTHEAST
Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival
When: August 8-11, 2024
Where: Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
An annual celebration of overland travel, the Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival is held on a 220-acre working farm amongst Pennsylvania’s Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians. Program topics include Tread Lightly principles, medical kit preparations, and brake and suspension advice from prominent industry manufacturers. After-dark offerings include night photography and astronomy sessions before it’s time to camp under the stars in a picturesque, tree-lined field.
$225/two-person or family entry, $148/single entry, $75/day pass | overlandfestival.com
INTERNATIONAL
Abenteuer Allrad
When: May 30-June 2, 2024
Where: Bad Kissingen, Germany
If your summer plans include a visit to Germany, you might want to stop by the spectacle that is Abenteuer Allrad. With more than 300 exhibitors, the expo provides an insight into European overland vehicle culture with the usual lecture, camping, and wandering opportunities we’re familiar with back home.
€50/four-day pass, €45/family pass, €25/adult day pass (children are free up to 8 years old), €20+/camping; short-day and lecture-only passes are also available. | abenteuer-allrad.de
BC Overland Rally
When: July 11-14, 2024
Where: Kelowna, British Columbia
Staged in my hometown in the south-central interior of British Columbia, the BC Overland Rally offers a wide range of programming, from wine tasting to 4WD instruction and trail rides. Strut your stuff on the technical course, join early risers for morning fitness classes, or chat with a wide variety of vendors about the latest gear. Of course, the Overland Adventure Rallies wouldn’t be complete without the nightly bonfire and raffle.
$339 CDN/two-person or family entry, $184 CDN/single entry, $95 CDN/day pass | overlandadventurerallies.com.
Armchair Adventure Festival
When: July 25-28, 2024
Where: Mt. Edgcumbe, Cornwall, UK
A “celebration of adventure travel in a breathtaking Cornish location,” the Armchair Adventure Festival is hosted by founders Matt and Reece, who hold the Guinness World Record for the longest journey by scooter and sidecar. From foraging to kayaking, sailing to Ural rides, the festival offers a chance to tick off all sorts of bucket-list items. Noteworthy tales of adventure by a well-stocked panel mean you’ll likely add several more to your list.
£55+/weekend pass, £30+/day pass, £20+/two-night camping add-on | armchairadventurefestival.com
Alberta Outdoor Adventure Festival
When: August 30-September 2, 2024
Where: Medicine Lodge Rodeo Grounds, Yellowhead County, Alberta
Held at the Medicine Lodge Rodeo Grounds, the Alberta Outdoor Adventure Expo offers overlanders the chance to gather with like-minded people, learn from guest speakers, and try outdoor adventure gear. Fish at the nearby McLeod River, join evening fireside chats, or tune in for the kids’ movie before turning in for the night. First-come-first-served trail rides are also available.
$50/weekend camping pass, $20/day pass | aoaexpo.com
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Read more: Jeep Beach 2024