From rooftop tents and expedition vehicles to portable campfires and survival classes, Overland Expo West transformed Fort Tuthill into an outdoor adventure playground.
Outdoor enthusiasts, also known as “overlanders,” got an eclectic taste of camping tools and accessories at the Overland Expo West at Fort Tuthill, Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 17 in Flagstaff. Outdoor gear, campers, trailers, off-road vehicles, travel equipment and modifications, survival equipment, recreation vehicles and so much more filled the fairgrounds.
In addition to all things camping, Overland Expo West offered a scope of classes taught by leading experts. And at Fort Tuthill, there were also 1,101 registered dogs in attendance.
Overland Expo is held in five locations across the country. Organizers consider it to be the world’s premier overlanding event.
“Overland Expo West 2026 really showed why West continues to be the original and flagship event in the series,” said Marketing and Content Director Alli Jackson. “With 28,500 attendees and 420 exhibitors, it’s still the largest overlanding event in the world and a strong reflection of the energy and passion driving this community forward.”
Darren Wilson of Skye RV in Australia remarked that there are a lot of 4×4 shows in Australia, but he really enjoys the Flagstaff Overland Expo. “This show is great. A lot of people come from all over to be here.”
This year’s popular features included tents that fit on top of vehicles, camper shells, expedition vehicles and class C motorhomes. Vendors sold items such as portable toilets, tires, outdoor stoves, sunglasses and solar power stations. A crowd pleaser was the Leyland Mini Pup (related to the Mini Cooper) with Flagstaff OVRLND Campers on top.
“Leyland Mini Pup has been a great marketing tool for us,” said OVRLND Campers owner Jay Wellman. “This is our eighth Overland Expo, so we’ve seen the changes through the years and the ownership of it. At the same time, we’ve built our company here in Flagstaff and have also evolved and grown as well.”
The three-day expo featured 309 classes, seminars, demonstrations and activities. Topics varied from boondocking, travel tips, first aid, maintenance tips for women, storytelling and how to find campsite. Toyota sponsored a Toyota Game Night.
“This is our second show in Flagstaff,” said Lukas Santos, co-owner of Lost Road Campers of Las Vegas. “The community here at Overland Expo is wonderful. We’re all competitors but there’s not a sense of cutthroat. Everyone is here to support one another and we look out for each other’s booths when we’re gone. Our favorite part is camping and meeting others.”
Jet Boil Director of Sales Ken Valvo shared space with Babbitt’s Backcountry Outfitters. “The users we met here are so authentic and people are really into our product.”
Gilbert inventor Jake Fuller brought his invention, the compact Tripod Torch, which he calls a portable campfire. “I think my dad’s invention is great,” said Jake’s son, Park Fuller. “I hope someday I can invent something too.” FBN
By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN
For more about the Overland Expo, visit www.overlandexpo.com.
Photos by V. Ronnie Tierney: Jet Boil’s Ken Valvo and Keith Harris of Babbitt’s Backcountry Outfitters share outdoor recreation tips with visitors.
