Quick Verdict: Dutch oven cowboy beans feeds 8 overlanders with 6 strips of bacon, 1 pound of ground beef, diced onion, 4 types of beans (kidney, pinto, navy, black), BBQ sauce, and brown sugar. First, render the bacon and brown the beef. Next, simmer with beans and BBQ sauce....
Choosing between steel vs aluminum overland trailers shapes every trip you take into the backcountry. For years I have overlanded out of California, and the frame under my gear has always mattered more to me than the badge on the tailgate. Similarly, both metals build capable rigs. However, they...
Quick Facts:
Lineup: 2026 Toyota Tacoma, eight trims, three built for the dirt
Off-road trims ranked: TRD Off-Road, Trailhunter, TRD Pro
Engine: 2.4L turbo four, with an i-FORCE MAX hybrid option
Hybrid output: 326 hp and 465 lb-ft (Trailhunter rated at 323 hp)
Max towing: up to 6,500 lbs
...
Quick Facts:
Topic: Living in a tent long term from a vehicle-supported basecamp
Trip length: 2 to 6 weeks, or a full season in one spot
Shelter type: Heavy-duty synthetic canvas wall or bell tent
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
Time to build camp: A few hours for the...
Quick Facts:
Topic: Free dispersed camping in Utah
Spots covered: 12 (redrock desert and alpine forest)
Land managers: BLM and U.S. Forest Service
Typical cost: $0 (a few areas need a free permit)
Stay limit: 14 days; 16 in some BLM and forest units
Vehicle needed: Stock SUV to...
Quick Facts:
Topic: Fire restrictions for camping and overlanding
Region: 10 Western US states
2026 outlook: Above-normal wildfire risk, May through August (NIFC)
Acres burned by early May: 1.85 million, nearly double the 10-year average
Drought coverage: About 63% of the US as of May 1, 2026
Where to...