Guides

Practical writing about camping, gear and planning a trip. For a specific place, browse the park directory.

RV & Camper

Overlanding

A Practical Guide to Overlanding in the American Southwest A grounded look at overlanding routes, vehicle prep, and trail etiquette across the desert Southwest and Rocky Mountain backcountry.
Beginner's Guide to Overlanding: How to Get Started A practical introduction to overlanding, covering vehicle prep, gear, route planning, and the core skills self-sufficient off-road travel demands.
Building a First Aid Kit for Overlanding A practical guide to assembling, customizing, and maintaining a first aid kit suited to remote overlanding travel.
Building a Practical Overlanding Kitchen: Gear, Power, and Water Systems A practical guide to designing a compact, durable overlanding kitchen, covering stoves, storage, power, water treatment, and safe setup.
Building a Reliable Water System for Overlanding A practical guide to planning water storage, pumps, and filtration for overlanding rigs, from tank placement to purification choices.
Choosing a Low-Power Fridge for Overlanding A practical, brand-neutral guide to picking and running a 12-volt compressor fridge for overlanding without draining your battery.
Choosing a Motorcycle for Overlanding: A Practical Guide How to match motorcycle type, weight, and setup to your overlanding goals, from technical trails to long-distance touring.
Choosing and Preparing a Vehicle for Overlanding A practical guide to picking the right overlanding rig, outfitting it wisely, and keeping it road-ready for remote travel.
Choosing and Using a Roof Rack for Overlanding A practical guide to picking, installing, and maintaining a roof rack that holds up to overlanding travel and gear demands.
Choosing the Right Fridge Size for Overlanding A practical guide to sizing, powering, and maintaining a 12V fridge for overlanding trips, based on crew size, trip length, and vehicle space.
Choosing the Right Overlanding Tire Size and Type A practical guide to picking overlanding tire size, width, and tread design based on your vehicle, load, and the terrain you'll actually drive.
Choosing the Right Suspension for Overlanding A practical guide to picking, installing, and maintaining suspension systems for overlanding vehicles.
Fuel Planning and Storage for Overlanding Trips A practical guide to planning fuel range, carrying extra fuel safely, and choosing a capable vehicle for overlanding.
GMRS Radios for Overlanding: What You Need to Know A practical guide to using GMRS radios for off-road communication, including licensing, antennas, repeaters, and how they compare to other options.
How to Choose a Vehicle for Overlanding A practical guide to the factors that actually matter when picking or setting up a vehicle for overland travel.
How to Find Overlanding Trails: A Practical Guide Learn practical, lasting methods for finding overlanding routes, preparing your vehicle, and navigating remote terrain safely.
How to Start Overlanding: A Beginner's Guide A practical introduction to overlanding basics, from vehicle prep and essential gear to planning your first self-sufficient off-road trip.
Human and Pet Waste Disposal Bags for Overlanding and Backcountry Travel A practical guide to choosing, using, and disposing of waste bags for overlanding, camping, and backcountry trips.
Overland Camping: A Practical Guide to Vehicle-Based Backcountry Travel Learn what overland camping actually involves, from vehicle basics and gear to route planning and backcountry etiquette.
Overlanding Communication: Staying Connected in Remote Terrain A practical guide to radios, satellite devices, and group protocols that keep overlanding trips safe when cell service disappears.
Overlanding Cooking Gear: What You Actually Need A practical guide to choosing stoves, cookware, grills, and storage systems for cooking well on overlanding trips.
Overlanding Electronics: A Practical Checklist A durable guide to the electronics and power systems overlanders actually need, from navigation to portable power.
Overlanding Essentials: What to Pack for Self-Sufficient Vehicle Travel A practical packing guide for overlanding trips, covering shelter, cooking, navigation, safety, recovery gear, and camp comfort.
Overlanding for Beginners: A Practical Guide to Getting Started A practical, no-nonsense introduction to overlanding covering vehicle choice, essential gear, route planning, and backcountry etiquette.
Overlanding for Beginners: A Practical Introduction A grounded starting guide to overlanding covering vehicle basics, gear priorities, route planning, and low-impact travel habits.
Overlanding Gear Checklist: How to Organize Your Vehicle for Extended Travel A practical system for packing food, kitchen tools, camp comfort items, and recovery gear for overlanding trips.
Overlanding Gear Checklist: What to Pack and How to Carry It A practical guide to the gear categories, packing strategy, and vehicle setup that make overlanding trips safer and easier to manage.
Overlanding Gear Checklist: What to Pack and Why A practical, category-by-category overlanding checklist covering shelter, cooking, navigation, safety, and vehicle gear.
Overlanding Gear: What You Actually Need and How to Choose It A practical, no-nonsense guide to the gear categories that matter most for self-sufficient vehicle travel, from roof storage to repairs.
Overlanding on Off-Road Trails: A Practical Guide A practical guide to overlanding off-road trails, covering vehicle readiness, gear, route planning, safety, and trail etiquette.
Rack vs. Shell for Overlanding: How to Choose A practical comparison of roof/bed racks and truck shells for overlanding, covering capacity, weather protection, and off-road durability.
Rooftop Tents for Overlanding: What They Are and How to Choose One A practical guide to rooftop tent camping — how it works, soft shell vs. hard shell designs, and what to check before you buy or install one.
Solar Battery Storage for Overlanding: Placement, Wiring, and Charging Basics A practical guide to choosing, placing, and charging solar batteries safely for off-grid overlanding trips.
Solar Panels for Overlanding: A Practical Guide How overlanding solar panels work, which type fits your setup, and how to size a system that actually keeps your batteries charged.
Using GPS Navigation Apps for Overlanding and Off-Road Trips A practical guide to planning routes, marking waypoints, and navigating off-road with modern GPS mapping apps.
Water Storage for Overlanding: A Practical Guide How to plan, carry, treat, and manage water on overlanding trips, from tank choice to backup purification.
What Is Overlanding? A Practical Guide to Self-Reliant Off-Road Travel A clear-eyed guide to overlanding: what it is, how it differs from car camping, and the gear and skills that matter most.
What Is Overlanding? A Practical Guide to Vehicle-Based Backcountry Travel A clear-eyed look at overlanding: what it actually involves, how to pick a suitable vehicle, and what gear matters most.
What Is Overlanding? A Practical Introduction A clear-eyed guide to overlanding: what it actually involves, how it differs from camping, and how to prepare for a first trip.

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