Fall Offroading & Overland Events for a Roadtrip (Sept-Nov 2026)
Posted by Sean Reyes on
In This Article
This Fall there's something for everyone to build a roadtrip around.
From hardcore off-road events like the WE-Rock Championships or Baja 1000, to scenic Overland destinations in Utah and the Ozarks. If you're itching to hit the road and see something new, take a look at these events happening across the entire US to find your tribe and start planning.
Fall is the busiest stretch of the off-road calendar since rockcrawlers close out their season, overland expos hit the East Coast and the Southwest, and SEMA turns Las Vegas into the industry's biggest week of the year.
Month 1
September
As the weather cools, and the kids got a taste of school - its time to hit the road and see something new.
High Sierra Poker Run
RallySept 4–7, 2026 · Shaver Lake, CA
Six trail runs across granite and alpine forest, with endless lakes and routes to explore in the Sierra Nevada.
A four day club-run organized by the California Four Wheel Drive Association, with trails for both 4x4 vehicles and UTVs. Expect a mix of technical granite and rugged forest trails. This is the kind of terrain where you dont mind going slow, because the scenery never stops.
Labor Day Safari
RallySept 5–7, 2026 · Moab, UT
Moab in September means cooler temps but the same amazing slickrock, offering incredible views with the windows down.
Red Rock 4-Wheelers runs this as the smaller, cooler-weather counterpart to the Easter Jeep Safari. Registration is capped at 150 vehicles across 19 designated routes. If you've been putting off a Moab trip because of summer heat, this is the time.
WE Rock Grand Nationals
RaceSept 12–13, 2026 · Farmington, NM
Season end to the rock-crawling championship is worth watching if you're studying how competition suspension setups handle extreme terrain.
WE Rock's national series wraps up at Chokecherry Canyon with Unlimited, ProTrail, ProMod, Sportsman, and Youth Buggy classes competing on timed obstacles. This is more of a spectator event to build a New Mexico trip around, to check out what the most serious off-road builders have been up to all year.
Adventure Van Expo — Palisades Tahoe
ExpoSept 12–13, 2026 · Olympic Valley, CA
One of the premier destinations to see where adventure Van builds are trending, by the master outfitters themselves. This is our pick for a roadtrip being so close to Lake Tahoe, and perfect timing for cooler temps to hit the unlimited trails in the area.
A two-day show at Palisades Tahoe (down the road from Lake Tahoe) resort featuring custom 4x4 Sprinter and van builds, a DIY contest, and expert led presentations. If you're debating on your own Van build, or wanting to see how to further outfit your own for more comfort or capability, this is the place.
Keweenaw Overland Adventure Retreat
ExpoSept 17–20, 2026 · Copper Harbor, MI
Michigan's Upper Peninsula terrain is rougher than people expect, this is a solid Midwest overlanding trip in a surprising destination.
This retreat is built around exploring the Upper Peninsula's backroads and forest routes. It's a smaller, community scale event compared to the big-name expos, which makes it more intimate with the vendors, and other overlanders looking to hit the trails, rather than spend numerous days walking booths.
Sand Sports Super Show
ExpoSept 18–20, 2026 · Costa Mesa, CA
If you're heavy into the dunes and desert sports in the Southwest, then this is the spot to tune in to what's new for your rig.
A three-day show at the Orange County Fair & Event Center packed with sand rails, UTVs, SXSs, and 4x4 Jeeps & Trucks. This one's more geared towards shopping for your rigs than actually hitting the trails or dunes. Dont forget to hit the beach down the street, and stop by Sharky's at the pier.
Overland of America Expo
ExpoSept 18–20, 2026 · Jay, OK
Easy to Extreme trail options mean you can test a new setup gently before pushing it, perfect for a shakedown run.
A three-day event at America's Outdoor Adventure Park with private and guided trail rides across multiple difficulty levels, perfect if you've never crossed that line of pushing your vehicle 'too far'. The range of trail difficulty makes it a practical spot to test a fresh lift or shock setup gradually instead of committing straight to the hardest terrain around.
California Overland Adventure & Powersports Show
ExpoSept 26–27, 2026 · Sonoma, CA
Wine country wont test your rig in the slightest, but maybe you dont require a challenge as much as a recharge.
If you've ever had a reason to get your wife on the road for some light overlanding, this may be your chance. Seeing this show in Sonoma gives you the opportunity to see whats new for your overlanding vehicle, as well as scoping out some amazing restaurants and wineries. Though the area is light on trails, all the routes to Sonoma have plenty in case you want to get some nature-camping done.
Moab Overland Experience
ExpoSept 27–30, 2026 · Moab, UT
Moab isn't only for Jeeps, and this is the perfect event to connect with other adventurers of all makes and models.
Guided trail rides, expo with vendor booths, and some of the best scenery to see while actually 'in it'. If you've been wanting to hit Moab, but not sure when, September is the perfect mix of cooler temps, and less crowds.
Trail Hero
ExpoSept 28–Oct 3, 2026 · Hurricane, UT
Why it matters for your rig: Sand Hollow's extreme rock crawling is one of the hardest environments in the country to test your suspension.
A five day off-roading event centered around extreme rock crawling in Utah's famed Sand Hollow area, with guided trail rides and an atmosphere of anything goes (vehicle wise). There's a golf tournament, numerous concerts, and you can even camp on the lake's beach.
The Pilgrimage Overland Festival
ExpoSept 30–Oct 4, 2026 · Royalton, VT
If you've always wanted to visit Vermont during the fall explosion of colors, mark this on your calendar.
An annual overlanding festival based at Henderson's Hideaway along the White River, with camping, vendor areas, and curated maps of Vermont's Class IV road network for trail access. This trip is more about the scenery and road trip vibes, rather than hitting the trails and camping in the woods - though there's plenty of that available with the surrounding camp grounds.
Month 2
October
Six events, including one of the largest overlanding expos in the country and one of the toughest off-road races in the country.
Big Iron Overland Rally
RallyOct 2–3, 2026 · West Mineral, KS
This is the jam if you're looking to hit the road, hear some music, and connect with others in Kansas that use their vehicle for more than just commuting.
A three-day overlanding and concert event at the Big Brutus Historic Landmark, with a vendor expo, live music, vehicle awards, and a self-guided tour of a massive namesake mining shovel. It's a relaxed, community focused weekend rather than a technical trail event.
Red Clay Rally
RallyOct 2–4, 2026 · Slemp, KY
Eastern Kentucky red clay gets slick and rutted fast, surprising many first time visitors, letting them know their rig may need a few extras to handle this terrain.
A three-day off-road rally combining trail driving on Eastern Kentucky's distinctive red-clay terrain with caving tours and overlanding events. If an off-road event, Kentucky's whiskey heritage, and new scenery is up your alley, then this is for you.
California Off-Road Expo (Pomona)
ExpoOct 3–4, 2026 · Costa Mesa, CA
A dedicated Performance Marketplace for 4x4 and UTV/ATV aftermarket parts - in a spot that many off-road brands call home.
Southern California is home to numerous off-road brands that you're familiar with, come and talk with them, or shop their latest goods in person and gets hands-on before it hits your vehicle. Many brands run show-specials that you wont see at any other time of the year.
Laughlin Desert Classic (AORC Championship Finale)
RaceOct 15–19, 2026 · Laughlin, NV
This is one of the best places to see the most built off-road rigs in the country, running at speeds that will make your head spin.
The high-speed loop race that closes out the newly unified American Off-Road Racing Championship season, bringing Best in the Desert and Unlimited Off-Road Racing together for one finale weekend on the banks of the Colorado River. If you want to get up close and personal in the action, while relaxing during the off hours on the river, there's no better spot.
Rendezvous in the Ozarks
ExpoOct 15–17, 2026 · Ozark National Forest, AR
Skills-focused, not speed-focused, good if you're newer to overlanding and want the fundamentals before you push your rig hard.
An annual overlanding event in the Ozark National Forest built around a gear expo, classes, and trip reports, with sessions on winching, recovery, navigation, and off-road safety. It's education-first, which makes it a smart stop before a bigger trip where you'll actually be leaning on your recovery gear and suspension in unpredictable terrain. Not to mention the Ozarks themselves are an incredible destination.
Overland Expo East
ExpoOct 23–25, 2026 · Arrington, VA
Likely one the largest overlanding event in the country. If you're in the area, this is a great day-trip for some vehicle shopping.
A large-scale overlanding event at Oak Ridge Estates in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with several days of vendor exhibits, demonstrations, and classes. If you can only make one expo this fall, this is the one.
Month 3
November
Three events — smaller in count, bigger in scale. This is SEMA month.
SEMA Show
Trade ShowNov 3–6, 2026 · Las Vegas, NV
The entire specialty automotive aftermarket industry in one building. If you've seen rigs on Instagram or Youtube, they'll likely be taking floor space here.
While this event is mostly for the industry, they've opened the event on the final day of the show - Friday. This is the premier destination where all forms of vehicle builders congregate to show off their work from the year.
SCORE Baja 1000
RaceNov 9–15, 2026 · Los Cabos, Mexico
The oldest and toughest desert race there is, pair it up with some surfing, fish tacos, and the most welcoming community around.
SCORE International's 59th running of the Baja 1000 moves to Los Cabos for the first time in the race's history. If you've never been to Baja but have been itching to go, this event is perfect to build around due to the length of the race, and how many opportunities to stay a while.
Panamint Valley Days
RallyNov 13–15, 2026 · Trona, CA
Featuring a range of runs from scenic to hardcore, Trona itself is a dream spot for those into other-wordly scenes.
A four-day off-road event along Slate Range Road near Trona, organized by the California Four Wheel Drive Association, with runs ranging from scenic and historic routes to hardcore wheeling, plus an optional "Escape from Death Valley" add-on.
Where are the December Events?
We checked. December is legitimately the quiet month on the off-road and overland event calendar - but that's usually how December goes with the holidays bookending the beginning and end of the month.
