While there are certainly many amazing, well known, and challenging expert trails throughout the United States, many of these require very specialized build-outs and equipment, as well as expert knowledge and skills. Straddling along the rugged border of Tennessee and North Carolina are the Great Smoky Mountains, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. This is a great beginner route that offers no technical challenges; any stock 4WD with lowered tire pressure will be up to the task. The goal is to have fun and learn how to enjoy outdoor recreation while preserving the land for future generations. The Ozark Overland Trail, also known as the High Water Mark Trail, is a popular overland route through the Ozarks, including a patchwork of roads and trails through Ozark National Forest. MAOF 2020 will be at Henwood Farm in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and will feature vendors, classes, trail rides, and nightly campfires where you can swap tales, tall or otherwise. Because the route passes through large tracts of private land, it is best to camp at paid campsites unless you have prior camping permission from a landowner. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an amazing place, and not to be missed. Here’s an in-depth look at last year’s rally to get you pumped: Learn more at rockymountainoverlandrally.com », A post shared by Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival (@overlandfestival) on Aug 21, 2019 at 4:42am PDT. By joining us, you can help us make it another great day in the Smokies. Other overland routes in the area include the accessible La Madera Road just northeast of Albuquerque, and the slightly more difficult Rio Puerco, North Puerco, and South Puerto OHV Loops a bit northwest of the city. Snaking its way through the gorgeous remote wilderness of Wisconsin, including the Chequamegon-Nicolet Forest, the route is comprised of mostly easy paved and gravel roads, some dirt/sand forest roads, and plenty of options to explore further off-route roads and ATV trails. Another great beginner route, the Valley of the Gods Road is a classic route through the towering red rock landscape of southeastern Utah. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Hand-picked overland trip, route, and trail suggestions for each month of the year to keep you busy through 2020 and beyond. One of our favorite excuses for packing up and hitting the road in our rigs is heading off to one of the many overlanding expos, conventions, and rallies that happen all over the country each year. Route: Idaho Backcountry Discovery Route You got it. Location: Ouray, Colorado The town of Llano may be small, but it doesn’t disappoint come October. There are guided 4WD rides, advanced classes for you pros, and even a course on how to do repairs out on the trail. This overland route is for those that like water! The highlight of the route is “Oh Point”, offering a phenomenal nearly 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains from 13,000 ft. Ideas? Though the trail is not technically difficult, it does have some high water crossings, some of which can be very high depending on the time of year and require special vehicle modifications. Newfound Gap. Keep your eyes peeled for Texas longhorns along the route. One of the most famous roads going through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Newfound Gap extends from the Spur in Gatlinburg to Cherokee, North Carolina. This is the East Coast’s take on the Overland Expo. Whether you’re shopping for a nature novice or a veteran outdoorsman, we’ve got you covered for the perfect gift. The first two miles of the route are the most difficult and beginners will need to exercise caution. SMOR is a rally style event where there will be rides lead by staff both at the off-road park onsite and at other local trails. But the two things that make this event a total rock star are the off-roading trails and the programming dedicated entirely to living the #vanlife. There will also be overland classes offered that will cover everything from electrical systems to winching/recovery techniques. Steep roads and wet conditions can make travel dangerous and, among other notables, the Dalton Highway has one of the longest stretches of roadway without services in the country, a 240-mile jaunt from Coldfoot to Deadhorse where you are completely on your own. While not the most challenging off-road route, it is one of the most spectacular routes in terms of scenery. Location: Horseshoe Bay to Fredericksburg, TX  These Carolina mountains border the entire western edge of North Carolina, comprising some 52 percent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. exclusive travel tips from expert outdoor explorers (that’s us), and Camping options are plentiful, with abundant opportunity to fish, swim, and enjoy the outdoors, though because the route never escapes too far from civilization, resupply is easy and it’s also possible to stay in hotels just off the route if the weather turns foul or if camping is not your cup of tea. That’s where Overland Expo East takes place, and we love it for the sheer scale of its offerings (hundreds of classes and vendors, thousands of rigs) and its proximity to The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in the Appalachian Mountains, home to some decidedly choice OHV trails. Popularized by the show Ice Road Truckers, the Dalton Highway was created in 1974 as a service and supply road for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and is mainly plied by 18-wheelers delivering supplies to the end of the road at Prudhoe Bay. Here are a few pictures of the Evo Overland Stage 1 kit in action. The event hosts close to 400 vendors, thousands of OHVs, UTVs, and overland rigs to check out, along with over 175 courses, and even a film festival. Cades Cove Loop Road. Join us at the 2019 Smoky Mountain Overland Rally 2019! Weather can cause road conditions to change quickly and, due to travel on remote and unmaintained roads, it’s recommended to travel in a convoy of 2+ vehicles. We’ve done the hard work of compiling all of this year’s must-attend overlanding events into one convenient place, so now all you have to do is decide which ones you’re gonna hit up. We get to do some networking, show off our Roofnests, drool over other overlanding setups and UTVs. On-site technical courses and world-class instruction on a variety of off-roading related topics, along with the opportunity to rock the Rockies in your rig make this rally a must. For the most part, for this list, we have stuck to overland routes and trails that can often be accomplished with a stock high-clearance 4WD vehicle, with a minimum of extra build requirements or fancy gadgets needed. No matter the destination, our parts will help you get there (and back). Location: Livengood to Deadhorse, Alaska Distance: 600+ miles That’s because a Roofnest turns your overlander (or any vehicle) into a functional RV — a collapsible bedroom on top of your vehicle means you can take the road less traveled without worrying about finding a hotel along the way. Distance: 17-mile loop The route was designed to be stock friendly, with a stock Jeep JK (street tires) in mind, so any high clearance 4WD vehicle should suffice. Distance: 138 miles A quick 90 minute jaunt northwest of Austin, the Texas Fall Outdoor Expo is the only overlanding rally in the state. Go Forth and Enjoy! The Great Smoky Mountains Association is a nonprofit organization that supports educational and scientific programs in the park. Location: Baja Peninsula, Mexico Be sure to put these 9 easy trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on your to hike list. A post shared by RecCon Montana (@recconmontana) on Mar 20, 2019 at 9:08am PDT. … Beginner Routes Valley of the Gods Road, Mexican Hat, Utah. In our more than 65 years of operation, we have contributed $46 million to the park. Route: Enchanted Rockies Trail Recommended Time: 3+ days Henry Jackson painting; B&W illustrations and tables 5 Route Maps Western US Platte Smoky Hill Overland Mountain; Index: Yes: Pages: 84: Binding: Softbound: Size: 5¾ x 9" ISSN #: 0731-2474: CC ID# SL: BCOT 6999 The Smoky Mountain Road is a designated scenic backway for the world-renowned and very popular Utah Route-12. Looking for More? We’ve also kept much of the list beginner-friendly and included routes from around the country. The Best Beginner to Intermediate Overland Trips, Routes, and Trails in the USA. The Trans-New Hampshire Overland Adventure Route is an overland route that was developed with a scenic journey in mind, rather than a specifically “off-roading” trip. Location: north of Mexican Hat, Utah Smoky Mountain Overland shared a post on Instagram: “Weekend wheeling report! So plan a little extra time into your schedule to come stroll the Pearl Street Mall for some good food, drinks, and shopping, and don’t forget to hike or climb the hills nearby before you say goodbye. Primitive is good. Looking for More? When to Go: July through October. Don’t miss it. Covering diverse environments spread around the country, there should be something to satisfy every adventure’s desires. This road is an hour-long drive between Gatlinburg to Cherokee and provides access to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, nearly a dozen … Some of the overland routes and trails included here are also overland rental-vehicle friendly (always check your rental agreement), so even if you’d just love to try the overlanding experience, there’s no better time than 2020! Looking for More? Sign-up for our newsletter to get a bunch of great information Wandering its way between desert springs, the route amidst the unique Joshua trees is mostly non-technical, though there a few spots that can be more challenging, such as the hill into Watson Wash, which is best navigated with the use of a spotter. Traveling through a diverse landscape of rolling hills, natural springs, limestone bluffs, wide plains, strange gullies, and hidden sinkholes, Texas Hill Country offers intriguing terrain mixed with the unique blend of the cultural heritage of Spanish, German, and other early settlers. Everyone loves driving along the Cades Cove Loop. Recommended Time: 1-2 days Distance: ~500 miles If photos of 4WD vehicles ripping down wide-open beaches or seaside campfires get you stoked, look no further than an overland adventure in the South Core Banks, the middle of three islands that comprise Cape Lookout National Seashore in North Carolina. Loveland, Colorado is the perfect spot for an overland expo in our opinion. While the entire route is around 800 miles, it is divided into nine segments, which could easily be completed as their own shorter overland adventures. Location: Mojave Road, Mojave National Preserve, California This is a great chance to meet other outdoor enthusiasts and pick up some new accessories for your off-highway vehicle (OHV). When to Go: late June to early September. The month of May in overlanding brings us back to the Southwest, but this time to Flagstaff, Arizona for Overland Expo West. Other great regions to explore include chasing the bright reds of the sugar maples in the Great Smoky Mountains and the vivid yellows of the fall aspens in Colorado. But hey, the Roofnest team is one step ahead of you. Distance: ~800 miles  Smoky Mountain Overland Rally. The Texas Hill Country Route is a non-technical route that is great for beginners. Located in the center of the state, just west of Austin, Texas Hill Country provides a fantastic overland route for both beginners and experienced overlanders. As the summer comes to an end, Pennsylvania is just getting ramped up for some autumnal overlanding with their Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival (MAOF). Read our blog on tips for finding the best spots to sleep in your Roofnest, whether you’re in the middle of a new adventure or finding your way back home », https://roofnest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/roof2.png, https://roofnest.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/roofnest-logo-header.png, The Ultimate Guide to Overlanding Events in 2020, December Ambassador Highlight: Forrest Smith, VIDEO: How to Choose a Roof Top Tent with Outside Magazine, A post shared by Desert Valley Overlanders (@desertvalleyoverlanders), Rio Puerco, North Puerco, and South Puerto OHV Loops, A post shared by Smoky Mountain Overland (@smokymountainoverland), Overland Expo East here on our blog before, A post shared by NW Overland Rally (@nwoverlandrally), 4 days of classes, vendors, parties, and guided 4WD rides, A post shared by RecCon Montana (@recconmontana), A post shared by Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival (@overlandfestival), always have a place to stay at the end of the day, Read our blog on tips for finding the best spots to sleep in your Roofnest, whether you’re in the middle of a new adventure or finding your way back home », DIY Gifts Every Skier and Snowboarder Will Love, 4 of the Most Delicious Campfire Cocktails to Keep You Warm This Winter, 8 of the Most Relaxing Natural Hot Springs in California, Thanksgiving Foods You Can Make at Camp This Year. Gemini Bridges (Moab, Utah) Gemini Bridges is a low-difficulty trail to run for … The unofficial end of the Pan-American highway, the Dalton Highway traverses through forests, barren tundra, and wild Alaskan bush, passing through the stunning landscapes of the Yukon River, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and the Brooks Range, crossing the Arctic Circle and traveling over the high Atigun Pass, all to end at the Arctic Ocean. From affordable gifts under $25 to luxury options. Route: Trans-Wisconsin Adventure Trail Learn more at adventuretravelexposw.com », A post shared by Smoky Mountain Overland (@smokymountainoverland) on Dec 2, 2019 at 7:31am PST. At Smoky Mountain Overland, our designs are born out of experience and tested in the field. To access South Core Banks, hop a ferry from the mainland in Davis, North Carolina. The Greenbrier area of the national park is entirely unpaved … From here, there are over 20 miles of undeveloped beach perfect for driving. Reservations: In half of the campgrounds at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park reservations are required.The rest of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Jeep rentals and camping rentals in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Ozark National Forest is home to the Ozark Mountains, a gorgeous region full of rivers, waterfalls, forests, and, of course, mountains. For the list below, we’ve focused on beginner to intermediate level overland routes and trails in the United States (mostly). Looking for More? The route includes lots of mud, lots of dirt, and of course, some water crossings to put your rig to the test. While stunning scenery abounds, a trip on this mostly narrow gravel road is not to be taken lightly. There’s no better time than the beginning of the year to study up on all the overlanding events going down in 2020, and to make your travel plans accordingly. 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