Tales from the Trail: Piney River & Beyond
My trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains with the 2022 Ultimate Overland Build started as the remnants of Hurricane Ian made their way through western Virginia.
Guide ToTHE ARRINGTON REGION
Overland Expo EAST is just east of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains along Highway 29. It is 22 miles north of Lynchburg and 35 miles south of Charlottesville and is a short drive to Shenandoah National Park.
OCTOBER 3-5, 2025
OAK RIDGE ESTATE // ARRINGTON, VA
FRI 9-5 | SAT 9-5 | SUN 9-3
ABOUT THE VENUE
OAK RIDGE ESTATe
Oak Ridge Estate is a professional event venue sitting on 4,800 acres of lush Central Virginia countryside in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The popular event venue hosts numerous large events each year including the Lockn’ Music Festival, a 3-day mega-event blending more than 30,000 attendees with top music acts, local foods, craft spirits and extensive weekend camping packages.
DRIVING TIMES TO OAK RIDGE ESTATES:
- Richmond, VA via I-64 to US-29: 2 hrs
- Washington, DC via US-29: 3.5 hrs
- Charlotte, NC via I-85 to US-29: 4 hrs
- New York City, NY via I-95: 7 hrs
- Atlanta, GA via I-85 to US-29: 7.5 hrs
OVERLAND ROUTES & RESOURCES
Trips & Trails: Union Springs
Just north of Harrisonburg, Virginia you’ll find a section of George Washington National Forest with an incredible density of trails. This area really has something for every adventurer with great options for trail difficulty, camping, and other activities, all within relatively close proximity to each other.
Trips & Trails: Fenwick Mines
Fall is a great time to visit the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. One of the best ways to experience these mountains is to explore the trails and forest roads that criss-cross this region.
Trips & Trails: Bald Mountain
If you’re on your way to or from Overland Expo East and decide to seek out a challenging trail, Bald Mountain is where you need to be. It’s located in the Saint Mary’s area of George Washington, and the southern terminus is only 45 minutes from Oak Ridge Estates.
Looking for more ways to connect with others? Join one of the many overland groups traveling together before or after the show.
Expedition Portal | American Adventurist | ADVrider | Overland Bound
Looking for a scenic route that uses dirt, gravel, and paved roads to wind through remote parts of the region?
ACCOMODATIONS
HOTELS / BED & BREAKFASTS
Additional Hotel Search Options:
EXPO HOUSING SERVICES
WARNING: This is not a legitimate company. If you are contacted by them, do not use their services.
NEARBY RV PARKS
We do not allow motorhomes / RVs to camp on-site. It’s best to book a real RV park near Arrington.
RV PARKS IN THE ARRINGTON AREA:
Check out reviews of various RV Parks and Campgrounds in the area.
CAMPING
In order to keep our culture of off-the-beaten-path travel alive and well, all on-site camping is restricted to motorcycles, tents, overland vehicles, and small overland trailers ONLY.
CAMPGROUNDS IN THE AREA:
NATIONAL FOREST CAMPGROUNDS
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest offer several campgrounds, click HERE for a list of campgrounds.
DISPERSED CAMPING
For those who prefer more solitude, dispersed camping is also allowed in the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest. For a detailed guide to regulations and suggested sites, see: Dispersed camping.
FOOD & DRINK
RAPUNZEL’S COFFEE & BOOKS
An eclectic arts venue, community space, coffee shop, and used bookstore located in The Packing Shed in historic Rapunzel’s Coffee.
BASIC NECESSITIES
Basic Necessities celebrates the European mentality of thoughtful food preparation, conversation and relaxation. “La table” in French signifies so much more than just “the table,” or dinner table. It means a place where family and friends can eat, drink, talk and just be together.
BEAN TREE CAFE
When you visit you’ll find amazing, locally roasted coffee paired with a wide selection of house-made food. Bean Tree Cafe serves coffee and espresso locally roasted and also features a full menu that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner items with several gluten-free options available upon request.
BOOTLEGGERS
Remember Lynchburg’s wilder side with some of the most unique burgers and brews in town! You may feel like you’re entering a speakeasy through the lower entrance, but you’ll know you’re home when you sample Bootlegger’s brews and burgers.
Find more places to eat in and around Arrington, Charlottesville or Lynchburg.
THINGS TO DO
Not sure what you want to do, but want to know what is available in the area? Visit Nelson County offers a treasure trove of tips and advice on how to make the most of your stay near Infinity Downs. Looking to get out and explore a little? Check out Visit Charlottesville, Lynchburg Tourism, or Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountain website. You can also take a look at this great article for 100 Best Things to Do in Virginia.
NATIONAL PARKS
Cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, quiet wooded hollows—take a hike, meander along Skyline Drive, or picnic with the family. 200,000 acres of protected lands are a haven to deer, songbirds, the night sky…and you. Plan a Shenandoah escape today!
VINEYARDS & WINERIES
From Virginia’s oldest winery, farm wineries, terraced vineyards and rustic to elegant modern tasting rooms, Nelson County offers many unique wine-tasting experiences for the wine lover. With easy access to the Route 29 corridor, the following wineries are open to visitors: Lovingston Winery, Delfosse Vineyard and Winery, Brent Manor Vineyard, and Mountain Cove Winery. Along Route 151 are Veritas Vineyard and Winery, Cardinal Point Winery, Afton Mountain Vineyard, Flying Fox Vineyard, and Hilltop Berry Farm and Winery. Be sure to check out Nelson 151. Find out more at Visit Nelson County.
MUSIC
Charlottesville has Live Music almost every night of the week. There is something for everyone!
Looking for a great Concert to attend? Lynchburg may just have what you’re looking for.
HIKING
Get lost in the beauty of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests with a great hike! Limitless options are available at Hiking Project.
Take a day hike on a section of the Appalachian Trail. Crabtree Falls claims to be Virginia’s most beautiful waterfall. Enjoy this hike to decide for yourself!
This list highlights 15 favorite hikes near Charlottesville.
BREW RIDGE TRAIL
The Brew Ridge Trail is a self-guided tour featuring five of the nation’s best craft breweries. With everything from lagers to stouts, there’s something for everyone along the trail… The five breweries along the Trail include Blue Mountain Brewery, Blue Mountain Barrel House, Devils Backbone Brewing Company, Starr Hill Brewery, and Wild Wolf Brewing Company. Visit brewridgetrail.com for more information.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Popular mountain biking trail suggestions from the Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club.
Bicycle rentals and guides available through Blue Ridge Cyclery – Downtown in Charlottesville or Bikes Unlimited in Lynchburg. MTB Project or Singletracks also have maps and suggestions for great trails in Virginia.
HISTORY
Take a trip back in time at The Walton Museum.
Civil War enthusiasts have plenty of options in Lynchburg, or Charlottesville hosts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
FISHING
Nelson County offers many fishing opportunities along its rivers, lakes and streams, including the Tye River, James River, Little Piney River (stream) and Rockfish River.
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout; largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and bluegill
Dead Drift Outfitters is here to get you locked in on fish. Services include custom flies, gear, tying materials, fly fishing and tying instruction and guided wade and float trips.
Fly & Ride
Where to rent motorcycles?
Although motorcycle rentals are not available locally in Arrington, you can fly to the surrounding areas and rent adventure motorcycles at:
Charlotte, NC – Carolina Adventure Cycles
Roanoke, VA – Eagle Rider
Townsend, TN – GSM MotoRent
Enjoy a ride through the Blue Ridge Parkway or Shenandoah National Park on your way to Overland Expo.
CHECK OUT WHAT'S NEW #OVERLANDEXPO
Conceived on a frozen lake in the Northern United States, you may find Imperial Outdoors roaming anywhere traditional RVs won’t go. Built to exceed the boundaries of a traditional camper, Imperial Outdoors is your all-weather, all terrain home away from everything.
Come see @imperial_outdoors_rv at Overland Expo West this year at their NEW booth Q105 where they will be releasing two new series built for your Overland Journey!
🎉 Ready for a good time? Overland Expo West is next week!! We can`t wait to get together in Flagstaff for an epic weekend filled with gear, vehicles, community, education, and adventure.
➡️ Swipe through for a preview of some of the special areas you’ll get to explore over the weekend and the special events you won’t want to miss.
👇 Who’s coming? What are you most excited for?
📍 See you in Flagstaff! Tickets at the link in bio 🎟️
Thank you to all of our special area + in-booth party sponsors:
- Oasis Bar & Foodcourt sponsored by @sunflarexplor
- Kids Adventure Area sponsored by Bronco Wild Fund / @desertforddealers
- Thursday Happy Hour sponsored by @barebonesliving
- Friday Happy Hour sponsored by @topsknives
- Saturday Happy Hour sponsored by @maxxistires
- Film Festival sponsored by @krugxp
- Toyota Game Night hosted by @toyotausa
- Moto Party sponsored by @motorcycleriderjustice
- Breakfast with @firestone
- Raffle supporting the @overlandexpofoundation
- Camp Subaru Party hosted by @subaru_usa
The Pinnacle of Overlanding Trailers is coming to Overland Expo West 2025. The all-new @patriot.campers ST5 Supertourer will be making its show debut.
Built in Australia, engineered and designed for the world, the ST5 redefines what’s possible in an Overlanding Trailer. Luxury living, lightning-fast setup, and unmatched durability in off road conditions.
See it in person at the Patriot Campers booth Q34 at Overland Expo West.
Tommy Camper Vans has redefined vanlife in Arizona, setting a new standard with unmatched in-house capabilities—including a full-service dealership, professional paint shop, and custom-built roof racks—all under one roof. Known for their hand-crafted, custom camper vans, Tommy delivers unbeatable quality, pricing, and turnaround time.
At the helm is Mikey Rudman, a visionary builder driven by a mission to streamline the custom van experience. Backed by the most skilled craftsmen in Arizona, Mikey and the Tommy team are revolutionizing the way adventure vans are built—merging custom craftsmanship with efficient manufacturing processes.
🚐 Now, @tommycampervans proudly introduces “The MAV”—the ultimate luxury adventure van packed with premium features and designed for those who demand comfort and capability. Come see it in person at Overland Expo West and meet the team behind these incredible vans!
🌄 The road is calling. Tommy Camper Vans is ready to build your dream.
Calling all Adventure Seekers! Come see @toyotausa in Booth Q30 at Overland Expo West May 16-18 for your chance to win a 4Runner Trailhunter, plus a cash prize! Check out the all-new 2025 Trailhunter 4Runner—plus the Trailhunter Tacoma and 1958 Land Cruiser. Don’t forget to complete a quick survey in exchange for some Toyota swag!
🎉 Starting at 7pm on Friday night, come to Toyota Game Night for free food, drinks, and prizes. We`ve got a special mystery celeb, too, so you definitely won`t want to miss it!
For over 50 years, Four Wheel Campers has been handcrafting rugged, pop-up truck campers designed for true backcountry adventure. Their campers offer the perfect balance of durability, comfort, and go-anywhere capability, and their low-profile, lightweight designs have become legendary in the overland world. 🔧🌲🏔️
👉 Check out the latest Industry Spotlight to learn more and see why Four Wheel Campers is still leading the pack — link in bio!
📸s
1: @ryanburch
3: @travisburkephotography
2, 4-5: @fourwheelcampers
Introducing ARCANE WARRIOR at Overland Expo West!
Roll up to Booth L38 in Flagstaff, Arizona, and get up close with this new brand built for overlanding. @arcanewarriorglobal gear snaps seamlessly onto any rig, giving adventurers a unified, battle ready setup that is as stylish as it is rugged.
Born in 2020, each patented piece is designed, tested, and built to withstand the wild and looks good doing it. Courage, resilience, and passion fuel every product. Stop by their booth to see how true warrior gear can transform your next expedition.
📍 Find them at Booth L38 from May 16-18
🌐 Explore the full lineup at arcanewarrior.us
The Overland Expo West education + event schedule is live! You’ll find hundreds of classes, education sessions, demos, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or new to overlanding, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to elevate your skills, meet incredible people, and learn from overlanding OGs.
👉 Swipe through to see the different education areas you`ll get to explore during the event, and head to the link in bio for education highlights and a link to the full schedule.
From how to plan an overlanding trip, border crossings, and finding campsites to vehicle repair and recovery, cooking on the road, and vehicle tours, there’s something for everyone.
What sessions are you most excited about?
🔥 Overland Expo West is coming up fast, May 16-18 in Flagstaff, AZ. There are only 2 days left to save on tickets so get yours now! 🎟️
Thank you to our education area sponsors:
- @landsharkoverland
- @bushlapausa
- Rig Ready Systems
- @uhaul
- @midlandusa
- @kumhotireusa
- @hankooktireusa
- @quadlock
- @denalicampers
THE WORLD IS OUT THERE GO SEE IT!
Join attendees from all over the world at this year’s Overland Expo East in Arrington, VA.