Overlanding and Offroad articles

Quick Facts: Topic: Identifying poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac on the trail Golden rule: "Leaves of three, let it be" (poison ivy and poison oak) Sumac tell: 7 to 13 smooth leaflets, reddish stems, wet ground only Where they grow: Lower 48 states; ivy nearly everywhere, oak...

The true overland setup cost surprises almost everyone who starts pricing a rig. For years I have tested overlanding setups throughout California and the West, and the spreadsheet always runs longer than the daydream. Some gear earns every dollar. However, other gear drains your budget and gets ripped out...

Quick Facts: Vehicle: 2026 Shelby Baja Raptor (Shelby F-150 Baja Raptor) Power: 555 hp EcoBoost V6 or 1,000+ hp supercharged V8 Tires: 37-inch BFGoodrich KM3 mud-terrains on 18-inch wheels Spares: Two full-size spare wheels and tires, included Lighting: Vision X LED bars front, rear, and on the chase rack ...

Quick Facts: Vehicle: Slate Truck, a two-seat electric pickup Starting price: $24,950 before taxes and fees Range: 205 miles, estimated Battery: 65 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate pack Motor: Single rear motor, 181 hp, 195 lb-ft Payload: 1,550 pounds Towing: 2,000 pounds Length: 174.6 inches, about 14.5 feet Warranty: 10-year, 110,000-mile battery...

Quick Facts: Roundup: The best hot tents for 2026, eight four-season picks Form factors covered: Dome, canvas bell, canvas wall, insulated inflatable Top pick: Bereg UP-7 (4.9/5) Best value: Stout 16 ft bell tent (4.6/5) Most compact: Davis 10x10 Go Tent wall tent (4.7/5) Price range: Roughly $640 to...

Most gear lists treat tent camping upgrades like a shopping cart problem: add more, spend more, sleep better. After decades of camping and overlanding across the American West, I have found the opposite is closer to the truth. The upgrades worth making are few, specific, and not always expensive....

Quick Facts: This guide shows you how to read a topographic map for off-road travel. Topic: How to read a topographic map for off-road travel Skill level: Beginner Time to learn: About 20 minutes Tools needed: A topographic map, a baseplate compass, an optional GPS app Key concept: Contour...

Quick Facts: Incident: Camper climbed into a vault toilet to grab dropped sunglasses Location: Camp Edison, Shaver Lake, Fresno County, California Time stuck: 10 to 15 minutes before rescue Vault depth: 4.5 to...

Choosing between the 2026 Land Cruiser vs 4Runner comes down to price, powertrain, and how often you hit the trail. Both Toyota off-road SUVs share a platform and a 6,000-pound tow rating, yet they target different buyers. This Land Cruiser vs 4Runner comparison breaks down specs, trims, and value...

The Dinosaur North travel management plan puts hundreds of miles of public-land routes near Vernal, Utah, on the table. The Bureau of Land Management released a draft designating roughly 700 miles of routes as open, limited, or closed. Because the public comment window closes July 23, 2026, off-roaders have...