Overlanding and Offroad articles

Quick Facts: Topic: Reading a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) to find legal dispersed campsites Skill level: Beginner to intermediate overlander or camper Time to learn: About 30 minutes to read a map confidently Tools needed: Free MVUM PDF, a phone app like Avenza or onX, a backup paper...

Quick Facts: What it is: Dispersed camping on public land, outside developed campgrounds Best for: Overlanders and vehicle-based campers who want solitude and freedom Cost: Free on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land Typical stay limit: Often 14 days per 28-day period, though it varies locally Main land...

Quick Facts: Topic: Free dispersed camping in Washington Spots covered: 13 (Cascades, Olympics, and the dry east) Land managers: U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and Washington DNR Typical cost: $0 to camp (parking sometimes needs a pass) Passes: Northwest Forest Pass for fee trailheads; Discover Pass ($45/yr) for DNR Stay...

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....

Quick Facts: Vehicle: 2027 Chevy Silverado 1500 (full redesign) Off-road trims: Custom Trail Boss, Trail Boss, ZR2 Engines: 2.7L TurboMax, 5.7L V8, 6.6L V8, 3.0L Duramax diesel ZR2 hardware: 35-inch mud-terrain tires, 2-inch lift, front and rear lockers, Multimatic DSSV dampers Trail Boss hardware: 2-inch lift, 34-inch mud-terrain tires ...

Quick Facts: Topic: Best off-road GPS app picks for iOS and Android Apps covered: 9 (onX Offroad, Gaia GPS, Trails Offroad, onX Hunt, RV LIFE, NPS, Avenza, CalTopo, Organic Maps) Platforms: Every pick runs on both iPhone and Android Best overall: onX Offroad Best free option: Organic Maps Best...

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...