Photo by ZargonDesign via iStock
Personally, I love to get out for overlanding trips on my own or with my family. I just like to get away from it all, not worry about the needs or wants of others, and enjoy myself in the big beautiful wilderness around me.
However…
There are times when I enjoy a good overlanding trip with some good buddies. But when I first started overlanding, I didn’t really know anyone in the overlanding community, which obviously presented a problem for taking trips with other people.
With that in mind, here’s a few tips on where to find other overlanding enthusiasts so you can enjoy some time outdoors with like-minded folks.
Join a Local Overlanding Club
“Overland Expo 2009” by indigoprime is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
One of the easiest and best ways to find other overlanding enthusiasts is to simply join a local overlanding club.
If you Google “overlanding club” or “4×4 club” or “camping club” you’ll likely find a wealth of possibilities. If you live in a small town or a remote area, your search might not come up with anything in your immediate area, but overlanding is all about adventure, so why not join a club in the next town over?
Here’s just a few examples of overlanding clubs in the U.S.:
Where to Find Other Overlanding Enthusiasts: Online Forums
Photo by skyNext via iStock
Another great place to meet other overlanders is in online forums.
Forums are excellent resources because not only can you meet other people but you can also get help in planning your trips with trip reports, information about overlanding accessories and gear, details about overlanding rigs and builds, and so forth.
There are general overlanding forums, like Expedition Portal, in addition to forums specific to certain vehicles, like Jeeps, Toyotas, and motorcycles.
Again, the trick is to find the forum that best fits your needs and wants, join up, and have fun. But beware – forums can have so much information and so many awesome members that you might find you spend way too much time online. Pace yourself, folks!
Learn More:
Check Out an Overlanding Event
“Overland Expo 2009” by indigoprime is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
If you have the time, attending an overlanding event is an ideal way to find other overlanding enthusiasts.
Events aren’t just for checking out other people’s rigs or learning about new products that are coming to market. They often have group rides, roundtable discussions, training sessions, and other events that allow you to meet other overlanders.
The nice thing about overlanding events is that they allow you to pack up your stuff and hit the road, too. With events all over the world, there’s no shortage of locations you can visit and hobnob with like-minded people.
Here’s a few popular overlanding events in the U.S. to consider:
- Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, Arizona
- Overland Expo East in Arrington, Virginia
- Overland Expo Mountain West in Loveland, Colorado
- Rocky Mountain Overland Rally in Gunnison, Colorado
- Outside Adventure Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah
This is a very short list of a few options you have in the States – there are far, far more options out there, so do your research and find a great event near you!
Where to Find Other Overlanding Enthusiasts: Social Media
Photo by Anna Gorbacheva via iStock
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not always a fan of social media, but when it comes to stuff like helping you find other overlanding enthusiasts, social media is a fantastic resource.
You can find what you’re looking for in a variety of ways, too – hashtags, locations, business names, or even names of trails.
And many top overlanding groups have a social media presence, too, so if you’re a fan of a particular group, find them on Facebook, Twitter, or another platform and get involved.
What’s so nice about overlanding is that it is a community. Even perfect strangers are here to help other overlanding enthusiasts with support, advice, and guidance. As my grandma used to say, strangers are just friends waiting to happen, so if you want to find other overlanding enthusiasts, get online and make some connections!