There’s no wrong way to attend Overland Expo West, but we get extra excited when we think about camping. Warm days, cool nights, clear skies (usually), the smell of pine trees — Flagstaff, Arizona, has so much to offer campers. Still, we need to come prepared! Here is a list of 15 items we think will make your time camping at Overland Expo West even more enjoyable and comfortable.
Must Haves
These items are non-negotiable if you want to stay comfortable throughout the Expo and be prepared for whatever comes your way. Of course, there are additional items you may add to your personal must-haves list, like a blankie (no judgment!) or medications, but this general list should get you through the Expo feeling happy.
- Water bottle – We make a strong effort to minimize single-use plastics at Overland Expo events, so be sure to bring your favorite refillable water bottle so you can stay hydrated throughout the weekend.
- Layers – The weather changes throughout the day so pack gear for cool and warm weather, plus gear for inclement weather — it’s better to have gloves or a raincoat and not wear them than to be wishing you had brought them. While it’s good to prepare for poor weather, it will likely be warm and sunny in the afternoons so also bring a hat, lip balm, and sunblock.
- Comfortable shoes – Leave the Louboutins home (or stashed safely in your rig) this weekend, and instead plan for a way of walking and standing on mixed surfaces. Sneakers, hiking boots, or other comfortable footwear will be your best friend while you move from exhibitor to training to film throughout the weekend.
- General camp set up – shelter, cookware, stove, sleep gear. While eating at food trucks is fun, you’ll want to come prepared to make your own food sometimes, whatever that means to you. And while campers come with all sorts of setups, from hammocks and bivies to fully decked out vans and campers, whatever your system is should have all the amenities you need to stay warm and protected from the elements at night. A warm sleeping bag, extra blanket, or way to heat water for a hot water bottle can go a long way if the temps drop to whatever temperature feels uncomfortable for you. Temperatures don’t typically get too low, but be sure to plan for cool mountain evenings.
- Water and food for weekend at your rig/campsite – We have water to refill your bottles when walking around at the Expo and for showering, but you’ll want to come prepared with your own water for cooking, cleaning, and staying hydrated when at camp. And of course, you’ll want to bring food as well.
Good to Haves
These are items we think most campers can survive without, but they will definitely make your experience more pleasant if you have the room to pack them.
- Cleaning supplies – Body wipes/baby wipes, Biodegradable dish soap, and other cleaning products can really help a camper feel less… campy. We do have showers, so a towel will also be a good addition to this list, but sometimes just a nice face wipe can remove the dust and get you ready for Happy Hour.
- Camera – Most cell phones these days have a camera so maybe you’re covered, but if you like to get artsy, like to have one less reason to keep reaching for your phone on the weekend, or have smashed the camera lens on your cell and now every cell photo looks like it was taken underwater (not that I’d know anything about that), a designated camera will really enhance your Expo for everything from remembering awesome products you saw to capturing your favorite moments at educational booths or around camp with your friends and family.
- Journal – Similarly, having a journal to take notes, write down ideas, map out your next adventure, or just doodle during some rare down time is a real treat.
- Camp chair – or money to purchase a chair right from a vendor. We’ve all done our time sitting on dirt, a rock, or a log, but a camp chair can elevate the experience of sitting around in the great outdoors to something relaxing and magical. If you want to get even more loungurious, bring a hammock in case you can find a pair of trees that won’t be blocking a major walkway — we bet you can probably squeeze in somewhere among all those pine.
- Headlamp – For those late-night walks to the bathroom, a headlamp is a smart and small tool to pack with you to West.
READ MORE: How Much Water Do You Need for Overlanding?
Lucky to Haves
Depending who you ask, some (or all) of these may belong in the “must have” category, but to each their own bocce set.
- Money for show specials – Most vendors use Square to sell products directly to Expo attendees (usually at a discount with a Show Special — stay tuned for updates), so start planning for purchases and have a digital payment ready for everything from an emergency coffee to major rig upgrades. Check out our Sponsors and Exhibitors page to get a head start on dreaming, scheming, and budgeting accordingly.
- Camp lights – String lights, twinkle lights, lanterns, whatever your fancy for adding some whimsy and dazzle to your rig (and help you find it when you’re coming back to camp).
- Map that has pin drop capabilities to mark where your campsite is — After a long day of learning and checking out cool products, finding your tent or rig can be a challenge. We recommend bringing a device or app that allows for pinning exact locations, so you can save time otherwise spent wandering around in search of your home away from home.
- Bicycle (and lock!) – Travel between the Expo area and your campsite in style. It isn’t a long distance to the Expo, but it can really help to have a bicycle to swing back to camp to grab that layer you really didn’t think you’d need, or to drop off the merch you picked up from your favorite brands.
- Camp games – What better way to make friends with your camp neighbors or keep the kids entertained than with a camp game you can play in your camping area. Cornhole, ladder toss, (miniature) bocce — If you can pack it, play it and invite your fellow campers in on the fun.
Now that you know what to bring, meet us under the pines at Overland Expo West to join in on the fun by snagging your ticket before spots run out. We will see you there — with our layers, sunblock, twinkle lights, camera, camp chair, croquet set…
