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Overland Expo West 2025 hits Flagstaff from May 16-18
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Overland Expo West opens Friday, May 16, in Flagstaff and I plan to be there. It is one of five yearly Overland Expo shows in the U.S.
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“It is the premier overlanding event series in the world — no other event offers the scope of classes taught by the world’s leading experts alongside a professional-level trade show that brings together all the camping and vehicle and motorcycle equipment and services you need to get outfitted,” according to its website.
I’ve been to Overland Expo West once before. That was in 2018, when I went to see the Recon Campers demo called “Lil’ Bud,” which was outfitted with oversize wheels and a lift kit, making it slightly overland ready. Seeing it and meeting its creators, Stephan Schank and Alissa Kloner, in person sold me on purchasing a Recon Camper upfit. Vehicle upfits are modifications after initial manufacture, in my case, to convert a mini-commercial v an to a camper with four seatbelts, a pop-top for standing and storage space under seats that turn into a bed.
The Recon builds jump-started the resurgence of compact, pop-up campers, 15 years after the last Volkswagen bus campers were sold in the U.S., according to Schank. Unfortunately, Recon stopped upfits in 2021 after Nissan ended sales of its NV line of minivans that were used as its base vehicle.
That kind of connection is what Overland Expo does best: linking adventurers with products and vehicles for any of life’s journeys.
“Overland Expo West is where this entire community began,” said Jessica Kirchner, vice president of consumer events and show director for Overland Expo, in a press release. “From the very first gathering in 2009, we’ve grown into a global series — but Flagstaff remains our flagship. It’s where overland legends gather, where gear debuts and where lifelong adventure dreams take shape.”
It is a simple route to get to the venue at Fort Tuthill County Park from Albuquerque — head west on Interstate 40 for about four and a half hours and then turn south on Interstate 17 toward Phoenix for a little less than 15 minutes. Single day and weekend passes were still available as of May 9.
On-site parking passes are limited and must be purchased in advance, or you can park for free at Northern Arizona University and take a free shuttle bus.
Before meeting in person, Recon Campers was just a website to me. After Overland Expo, the people and the company became real. I began enjoying my Recon upfit in 2020 and that journey from discovery to drive is a story for another time.
