No matter why or how you overland, our list offers some inspiration for the coming year.
Idaho
Sometimes overlooked for its neighbors to the west and south, you don’t want to sleep on all Idaho has to offer. With a Backroads Discovery Route that covers over a thousand miles of dirt and gravel and over 62% of the state’s area open to the public, there’s enough in this one state to fill any overlander’s calendar for months.
The hardest part of overlanding Idaho may just be picking which area to explore. The Magruder Road Corridor covers the best of the Bitterroot Mountains. It makes for a fantastic extended weekend overland trip and a great introduction to all the state has to offer.
If rock climbing, mountain biking, or just taking in stunning geology is your thing, City of Rocks National Reserve is an easily accessible area not too far from Boise. Further west, you’ll find the unearthly landscape of Craters of the Moon National Monument. Flanked by BLM land with dispersed camping options, this area has an other-worldly feel that makes it easy to see why it was used for training for the Apollo 14 astronauts.
Colombia
The topography of Colombia is diverse, like really diverse. Home to the most species of birds of any country on the planet and 10% of the world’s biodiversity, the country’s terrain varies from snowcapped mountains to rainforest and tropical beaches. It’s home to indigenous communities, modern cities with thriving art scenes, and tranquil coffee plantations, all connected by a network of roads both paved and dirt.
There is so much to explore it’s easy to spend a few weeks or a few months taking in all the options. A journey down the road known as the Trampolín del Diablo, or Devil’s Trampoline, is not for the faint of heart, but rewards the intrepid traveler with incredible Andean scenery. For a lighter adventure there are laid back beach towns on the Caribbean coast which connect via tiny dirt roads to villages deep in the jungle.
Eager to shed an image reinforced by decades of negative media, the government and people of Colombia are warm and welcoming. The food is delicious, the beers cold, and the coffee world-class.
Baja Sur
Each winter sees a migration of North Americans heading south into Mexico for warmer temperatures and sparkling beaches. Most will stick to Mexico Highway 1, making a beeline to a handful of popular beaches and campgrounds. What they are missing out on is the breathtaking scenery of the peninsula’s inland, including towering cactus forests, hidden waterfalls, indigenous cave art, volcanic rock formations, and near-endless dirt roads. And while there’s plenty to get excited about in the northern half of this area, the off-road areas further south abound with hidden gems that slide under the radar of the mass-tourism crowds.
Just north of the bustling tourist mecca of Cabo San Lucas, you’ll find Cabo Pulmo National Park, a stunning marine reserve known to be the oldest of only three coral reefs on the west coast of North America. The only community here is entirely off-grid, and you’ll find a laid-back attitude, cold beers, and excellent tacos to fuel your diving, mountain biking, and hiking adventures. From there, it’s a short day’s drive into the mountains to seek out hidden oasis waterfalls and quaint rural villages.
Most of the roads tracing the southeastern edge of the peninsula remain unpaved. This means if you’re willing to brave some bumpy trails and cross the occasional arroyo, you can still find quiet bays that feel like the Baja of yesterday.
West Virginia
While the western half of the US seems to garner most of the attention when it comes to epic overlanding routes, there is plenty to see and do in the east. West Virginia isn’t known as the “mountain state” for no reason; it’s home to the Appalachians plus countless wild waterways, scenic gorges, and dense forests.
An excellent place to start is Dolly Sods Wilderness with the ‘road to the sky’ and continue into the Canaan Valley for a weekend getaway. The Hatfield-McCoy Trail System is an off-roader’s heaven with over 1,000 miles of technical terrain to explore. For a drive with a view, head up to the highest point in the state, Spruce Knob.
Botswana
It doesn’t get much wilder than Botswana. With one of the sparsest population densities, with most people residing in just a handful of cities, the majority of the country’s incredible ecosystems are wide open for wildlife and exploration. In fact Botswana has set aside an impressive 17 percent of its land as National Parks and another 22 percent as Wildlife Management Areas.
Here it’s possible explore one of the world’s largest salt pans at the Makgadikgadi Basin and spend a morning surrounded by curious meerkats. Overlanding the Okavango Delta region is one of Africa’s most legendary routes, with dirt tracks connecting Chobe National Park through the Savuti area to the Moremi Reserve. Daily challenges here range from frequent river crossings to elephant gridlocks. And there’s also the legendary Kalahari, a remote desert region famous for its black-maned lions and sandy trails.
While renting a fully kitted out overlanding vehicle is easy, Botswana is best suited for those with overlanding experience. The deep sand, extreme climate, remote conditions, and large wildlife all can spell disaster for the unprepared. But for those looking for a unique and challenging adventure, there is no place better.
Portugal
Overlanding in Europe isn’t always easy. Most roads are paved and campgrounds tend to be small and developed – not usually an overlander’s ideal. But there are some spectacular exceptions, and one is Portugal. There it’s possible to join organized overlanding tours or explore on your own the country’s beautiful beaches, mountains, rolling farmland, and charm.
Besides partaking in Portugal’s legendary food, wine, and hospitality, there are plenty of outdoor activities to fill your days, from surfing to birding. The country’s vast network of dirt and gravel tracks mean you’ll experience a wide array of terrain from rolling hills, to rocky technical climbs, to quiet beaches.
You can ship vehicles roll-on roll-off or in a container directly to Portugal, or there are a number of small companies who offer overlanding vehicles and gear to rent.
Vancouver Island
How does an island filled with secret beaches, waterfalls and thousands of miles of dirt roads sound to you? Canada’s Vancouver Island is 12,000 square miles of rugged natural beauty with many areas only accessible by logging roads.
The northern part of the Island is particularly great for uncrowded beaches, Forest Service roads and spectacular scenery. If you’re up for a challenge there are plenty of technical routes to choose from, and early spring journeys may give you the opportunity to practice some trail clearing skills – bring your chainsaw!
The Island isn’t just great for scenery, there’s also excellent surfing, paddling, hot springs, mountain biking, whale watching, birding, fishing and even scuba diving. Diving in Canada? You bet! Jacques Cousteau called it “the best temperate-water diving in the world,” just be sure to pack a dry suit or a thick wetsuit.
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s newest adventure hotspots and with good reason. A staggering 92% of the country is mountainous, connected by a network of mostly dirt and gravel roads. The mountain lakes are filled with trout and salmon, the locals happy to host you for a homestay in a yurt, and you’ll never run out of mind-blowing vistas you’ll usually have all to yourself.
It’s a joy just to aimlessly explore here, but those interested in a more targeted itinerary can plan to rock climb, mountain bike, hike, or head out for a ride on one of the famed Kyrgyz horses. While the capital of Bishkek is modern and vibrant, it’s just a short drive to nomadic pastures filled with yaks and flanked by ancient caravanserai, remnants of the Silk Road.
While tourism infrastructure is still in its infancy, there are now rental agencies offering off-road vehicles with roof tents and guiding services ready to help you plan your trip to “the Switzerland of Central Asia.”
