Ford Overlanding Trip Reports?

SocalBonanza
Jun 18, 2025

Rank 42

Jun 18, 2025

Hello,
I wasn't sure what section to ask this, so if this is not correct, I am happy to move wherever...

I wondered if anyone attended the 2024 versions of the Ford Overlanding Adventures: HTTPS://overlandadventures.ford.com ?

If so, how was the trip? They sound great. Guides, someone cooks the food. But they are expensive.

Are they worth the money?

Other thoughts?

Certified Un-Influencer

Jun 18, 2025

#1
Just looking at the promo on the website, it strikes me as "glamping."
And as an overlanding enthusiast (impossible here in the East), and as an English major, I take strong exception to their use of the term "overland"-(adventures). Overlanding is more extreme than off-roading (which is a misnomer in itself). Overlanding is leaving even the dirt roads and going cross-country, over rough, unprepared terrain. Not many places where that can be done, and great care must be taken to safeguard the vehicle and not harm the land.

But "overlandadventures?" Pishahw. It's neither "overlanding" nor is it an adventure. They provide every comfort for you on prescribed roads and campsites--at a very hefty price.
UserError, Sven

That's a terrible idea, when do we start?

Jun 19, 2025

#2
I looked at it and thought it was over priced as well. But I also think it would be a lot of fun if you have the cash to spend.
SocalBonanza, Sven

Rank 42

Jun 19, 2025

#3
Just looking at the promo on the website, it strikes me as "glamping."
And as an overlanding enthusiast (impossible here in the East), and as an English major, I take strong exception to their use of the term "overland"-(adventures). Overlanding is more extreme than off-roading (which is a misnomer in itself). Overlanding is leaving even the dirt roads and going cross-country, over rough, unprepared terrain. Not many places where that can be done, and great care must be taken to safeguard the vehicle and not harm the land.

But "overlandadventures?" Pishahw. It's neither "overlanding" nor is it an adventure. They provide every comfort for you on prescribed roads and campsites--at a very hefty price.

At my age, Glamping sounds pretty good actually!!!

And the chance to do Hell's Revenge and Fins and Things with a guide? THAT might well be worth the money...
Sven, raqball

Certified Un-Influencer

Jun 19, 2025

#4
At my age, Glamping sounds pretty good actually!!!

And the chance to do Hell's Revenge and Fins and Things with a guide? THAT might well be worth the money...
At 78, I'm still hard-assCorps. A foam pad and a bedroll are quite sufficient. I'm the guy who ate the Ham & Motherlovers in C-Rations "back in the day." Only a few men will get that.
Now, a guide? I saw a bumpersticker a while back on a classic 1960s-era Land Rover Discovery 210: "No Seat Belts. We Die Like Real Men."
Now that's a wheeler I respect!
Sven

Gladesmen

Jun 19, 2025

#5
We signed up for an desert overlanding (trails during the day and hotels at night) trip in August of this year. it is will a very well respected couple that we have done a few adventures with, they took us to a place where very few will ever see. don't want to speak out of turn so I won't mention any names but the price was about half of the Ford trips and is a week long. super excited to go on this adventure to locations that are well off the beaten path. so keep a look out you can might be able to find something like this.
Sven, raqball

Certified Un-Influencer

Jun 19, 2025

#6
True overlanding is off-road and off-tiretracks. Not many places we can do that. You're overlanding when you leave a road (or tire tracks) "here" and navigate your way to some road (or tiretracks or trail) to "there."
1750351526814.jpeg
Sven

Life is a Highway

Moderator

Jun 19, 2025

#7
We signed up for an desert overlanding (trails during the day and hotels at night) trip in August of this year. it is will a very well respected couple that we have done a few adventures with, they took us to a place where very few will ever see. don't want to speak out of turn so I won't mention any names but the price was about half of the Ford trips and is a week long. super excited to go on this adventure to locations that are well off the beaten path. so keep a look out you can might be able to find something like this.
We will see you there brother!
Sven, raqball

Gladesmen

Jun 19, 2025

#8
We will see you there brother!

Sweet, we may need Trail Tim Assist.
Sven, raqball

Life is a Highway

Moderator

Jun 19, 2025

#9
Hello,
I wasn't sure what section to ask this, so if this is not correct, I am happy to move wherever...

I wondered if anyone attended the 2024 versions of the Ford Overlanding Adventures: HTTPS://overlandadventures.ford.com ?

If so, how was the trip? They sound great. Guides, someone cooks the food. But they are expensive.

Are they worth the money?

Other thoughts?
If you are interested the event that @Jakob1972 is talking about is listed on the events page. And yes it will be a blast! Take a look and see if this might fit the bill for you!

UserError, Sven

Rank 42

Jun 20, 2025

#10
True overlanding is off-road and off-tiretracks. Not many places we can do that. You're overlanding when you leave a road (or tire tracks) "here" and navigate your way to some road (or tiretracks or trail) to "there."
1750351526814.jpeg

I do not doubt your definition of true overlanding. And I think the term has been overloaded to include camping out on a trail, even in diverse camping sites.
Sven, Deano Bronc

Wherever you go, there you are!

Jun 20, 2025

#11
I do not doubt your definition of true overlanding. And I think the term has been overloaded to include camping out on a trail, even in diverse camping sites.

I do not think there is a 'true' overloading definition but it should never entail making your own trail or path just because someone has a vehicle that's capable of doing so.

Do people do it? Sure but that is part of the reason why trails are getting shut down, restricted and private land owners deny access to their land..

I am a big tread lightly supporter and the notion of blazing ones own trail, as was hinted at earlier ---> triggers me.

I think this is a good definition:

Overlanding is self-reliant adventure travel to remote destinations where the journey is the primary goal.

My normal off-road and camping trips look like this:

  1. Wheel out to remote location for dispersed camping
  2. Set up my 'base camp'
  3. Go out wheeling for the day on trails
  4. Return to my 'base camp' for the night where I relax and enjoy nature
  5. Lather, rinse, repeat 3 and 4 for the duration of the trip

While this could be considered as overloading by some, I do not think it is.

To me overloading would entail a trip where you are wheeling for the day on trails that are legal for your vehicle to be on and you find somewhere to set up camp for the night. In the morning you pack up and continue on your trip. You'll never stay more than one night in the same location and the trip is mainly about the trails and the journey of getting from point A to point B.. The camping part is more just a necessity type thing for rest, sleep and food..

Overlanding to me would be doing a something like a Backcountry Discovery Route.

I did this one about 10-years ago in my Jeep. I realized after that trip that it was not my jam as I enjoy camping at my 'base camp' just as much as I do the 4 wheeling.

https://ridebdr.com/wabdr/

The route basically runs from the Oregon Border to the Canadian border..

Screenshot 2025-06-20 at 12.14.50.png

My .02
SocalBonanza, UserError

Red Warthog

Jun 20, 2025

#12
I attended the Emigrant Trail Adventure last October & really enjoyed it. So much so that I have signed up for the Death Valley trip in November. Is it expensive? Yup. Is it a great time in the dirt with guides who also tell you about the history of the area/site (like a park ranger would)? Yup. Good food for breakfast/lunch/dinner? Yup. I'm looking forward to another good time.1000000823.jpg

Attachments

SocalBonanza, BroncoBecky

Rank 0

Jun 20, 2025

#13
Hello,
I wasn't sure what section to ask this, so if this is not correct, I am happy to move wherever...

I wondered if anyone attended the 2024 versions of the Ford Overlanding Adventures: HTTPS://overlandadventures.ford.com ?

If so, how was the trip? They sound great. Guides, someone cooks the food. But they are expensive.

Are they worth the money?

Other thoughts?

I did the Moab to Telluride trip.

Was is hardcore overlanding? No.

Was it Glamping? Also no. You bring your own tent so you can be as comfortable or as miserable as you want. In my opinion, the website made it sound a whole lot more upscale than it was. Food was mediocre. The service I did enjoy though was there were shower tents and toilet tents at each camping spot. Want to really rough it, don't use them.

Also had Starlink in areas we didn't have cell service.

What was cool about it:
  • Access to private property in Moab and Telluride with some trails that the public doesn't have access to
  • Routes are all planned out and tried by organizers in advance. Rest stops etc were planned really well.
  • Guides were great -- great attitudes and helpful whenever questions or problems came up.
  • Don't need a SAS or Raptor to do the trails -- we had Broncos from base model up to Raptor. All were able to get through the trails with obviously varying degrees of difficulty.

What it's not:
  • This isn't hardcore offroading. Hell's Revenge was the most challenging part. They've got the Rubicon Trail this year which I think would be way more challenging than this trip.
  • All dirt road overlanding. On this trip at least, there's 100 miles or so of highway to get from the Moab area to Telluride.

I would do it again if it was the right trip. If you've never done Moab or Colorado it's a great stress free trip.

I would love to do the Rubicon trip but they limited it to Raptors.
SocalBonanza, Deano Bronc

That's a terrible idea, when do we start?

Jun 21, 2025

#14
True overlanding is off-road and off-tiretracks. Not many places we can do that. You're overlanding when you leave a road (or tire tracks) "here" and navigate your way to some road (or tiretracks or trail) to "there."
1750351526814.jpeg

Totally get the spirit of what you’re saying — exploring beyond the map is a big part of why we love these Broncos. But I’ve gotta push back a bit: going off tire tracks and just “finding your way” is exactly the kind of thing that gets trails shut down.

There are very few places in the U.S. where true off-trail, cross-country travel is legal — and doing it in the wrong spot can destroy habitats, tick off land managers, and end access for everyone, including Bronco owners trying to do the right thing.

We all want to see our kids or grandkids out there wheeling these trails too — and that only happens if we follow the principles of Tread Lightly:
➡️ Travel on designated routes
➡️ Leave no trace
➡️ Respect land and wildlife

Overlanding doesn’t mean making your own path any more — it means being self-reliant and smart about the path you take.Let’s keep access open by showing the Bronco community knows how to wheel responsibly.
Deano Bronc, WeakNinja

Certified Un-Influencer

Jun 21, 2025

#15
Totally get the spirit of what you’re saying — exploring beyond the map is a big part of why we love these Broncos. But I’ve gotta push back a bit: going off tire tracks and just “finding your way” is exactly the kind of thing that gets trails shut down.

There are very few places in the U.S. where true off-trail, cross-country travel is legal — and doing it in the wrong spot can destroy habitats, tick off land managers, and end access for everyone, including Bronco owners trying to do the right thing.

We all want to see our kids or grandkids out there wheeling these trails too — and that only happens if we follow the principles of Tread Lightly:
➡️ Travel on designated routes
➡️ Leave no trace
➡️ Respect land and wildlife

Overlanding doesn’t mean making your own path any more — it means being self-reliant and smart about the path you take.Let’s keep access open by showing the Bronco community knows how to wheel responsibly.
Click to expand...
Understood, and agreed.
I checked the area for any signage restricting vehicle access, and didn't see any. It was public land. The terrain was firm and vegetation was sturdy and stable, so I figured I was okay for that.
UserError, Sven

Wherever you go, there you are!

Jun 22, 2025

#16
I checked the area for any signage restricting vehicle access, and didn't see any. It was public land. The terrain was firm and vegetation was sturdy and stable, so I figured I was okay for that.

The lack of vehicle restriction signs and it being public land is not a good indicator that the trail, or area, is legal to be on. Just because terrain is firm and stable does not mean you can legally traverse it.

The best practice is research ahead time. There are numerous websites and apps that will assist in planning trips on legal trails. Some trails, while open, may be restricted to ATV's only etc.

If going to a National Forest, call ahead of time OR visit the local Ranger Station for information. The Forest Rangers are always happy to help!


There are many more tools someone can use to plan their trips but the bottom line is, if we want to keep areas open and accessible, is to stay on approved and legal trails for the type of vehicle driven, follow all rules and regulation pertaining to the area and trail. If in doubt, make contact with the controlling authority.

Use a paid app like GAIA or onX to show Private Land ownership. Do not enter private land without permission from the land owner. I've called private land owners numerous times and have had pretty good luck getting approved to travel across their land.

*snip*
Not all roads and trails are created equally. Some roads are for cars and trucks, but not off-highway vehicles. Some trails are for off-highway vehicles, but many are not. Know where you are going and under the use of the road or trail before you go.

Travel only on off-highway vehicle designated routes. Cross-country travel is prohibited. Obtain a Motor Vehicle Use Map for specific information on your forest.

Comply with signs and barriers, and leave gates as you found them.

Wilderness areas are off-limits to all motorized vehicles. Minimize erosion by staying on trails and not cutting switchbacks. Meadows, lake shores, stream banks and vegetation are easily damaged. Teach new riders trail etiquette—lead by example.

Don’t litter. Pack out more than your share.

*/snip

There was a thread a while back where someone left a designated trail, got stuck in mud and destroyed a historic monument trying to winch himself out..

https://thebronconation.com/general...-campers-and-off-roaders-t.20715/#post-314729

One poster in that thread thought that it was a-ok to leave the trail and destroy a monument. Don't be that guy or gal!

TLDR: Plan ahead! Tread lightly, stay on trails that are legal for the type of vehicle driven, do not enter private land without permission and pack it in - pack it out. When in doubt, call the controlling entity for that area.
UserError, JoergH

That's a terrible idea, when do we start?

Jun 22, 2025

#17
Just to be clear If you’re talking about land where you can just go and do anything you want — there’s no such public land in the U.S. Even dispersed camping areas or OHV zones have rules and responsible-use expectations.

Specifically:

🇺🇸 Federal Public Lands

Managed by agencies like:
  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – 245+ million acres
  • U.S. Forest Service (USFS) – 193+ million acres
  • National Park Service (NPS) – 84+ million acres
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) – 89+ million acres
  • Department of Defense – large training areas, not open to the public

🏛️ State & Local Public Lands
  • State parks, forests, wildlife areas: managed by state DNR or equivalent
  • County or city parks, preserves: managed by local agencies

🪶 Tribal Lands
While held in trust by the federal government, tribal lands are governed and managed by sovereign tribal governments— not “public” in the same sense, and usually not open access.
UserError, WeakNinja

Wherever you go, there you are!

Jun 22, 2025

#18
Even dispersed camping areas have rules and responsible-use expectations.

^^^ This

And a *rant

People think they can dispersed camp anywhere they want.. Last year, @OrangecrushBronco and I were on a camping and 4 wheelin' trip in Gifford National Forrest in Washington State.

I camped and wheeled that NF frequently so I knew there was a super cool - small little man made beach area that runs along the river. There is a small, pull off the trail, shoulder area for people to park while they visit the beach. It's a pretty cool little beach. There is was a 'no camping' sign by the beach so I assume the slobs described below must have taken it down.

As we were heading out on the trails, I see a full-blown camping setup on the beach. Not on the small pull off area, but dead smack on the small beach. They were about 15 feet, at most, from the water and their camp site took up almost the entire beach area.

I pull over and tell them they cannot camp there. I get an earful from the man and woman who were responsible. I tell them:

  • A) It's a public beach area intended for everyone to use
  • B) It's not their own personal private camping site
  • C) Dispersed camping rules say that you must be a minimum of 100 feet from the water.

They go off on me again so I end up taking a photo of the plates on their vehicles to send to the Forest Rangers.

After our camping and 4 wheel trip, and as I am driving home, @OrangecrushBronco and his wife go back to see if the irresponsible and slob campers had left (they were at that spot for all 3 of the days that we were in the area) so they can check out the cool little beach. He later sent me photos of all the trash these slobs had left behind on the beach. I also forwarded those photos to the Rangers for enforcement.

*/rant

TLDR: People need to follow dispersed camping rules as well...
WeakNinja, TK1215

🇨🇦 Never 51 🇨🇦

Jun 24, 2025

#19
^^^ This

And a *rant

People think they can dispersed camp anywhere they want.. Last year, @OrangecrushBronco and I were on a camping and 4 wheelin' trip in Gifford National Forrest in Washington State.

I camped and wheeled that NF frequently so I knew there was a super cool - small little man made beach area that runs along the river. There is a small, pull off the trail, shoulder area for people to park while they visit the beach. It's a pretty cool little beach. There is was a 'no camping' sign by the beach so I assume the slobs described below must have taken it down.

As we were heading out on the trails, I see a full-blown camping setup on the beach. Not on the small pull off area, but dead smack on the small beach. They were about 15 feet, at most, from the water and their camp site took up almost the entire beach area.

I pull over and tell them they cannot camp there. I get an earful from the man and woman who were responsible. I tell them:

  • A) It's a public beach area intended for everyone to use
  • B) It's not their own personal private camping site
  • C) Dispersed camping rules say that you must be a minimum of 100 feet from the water.

They go off on me again so I end up taking a photo of the plates on their vehicles to send to the Forest Rangers.

After our camping and 4 wheel trip, and as I am driving home, @OrangecrushBronco and his wife go back to see if the irresponsible and slob campers had left (they were at that spot for all 3 of the days that we were in the area) so they can check out the cool little beach. He later sent me photos of all the trash these slobs had left behind on the beach. I also forwarded those photos to the Rangers for enforcement.

*/rant

TLDR: People need to follow dispersed camping rules as well...
Click to expand...
Yep, they left lots of bottles, cigerette butts 3 separate fire pits, food wrappers camping fuel canisters ect less the 2 feet from the river with some of their trash already floating in the water. We cleaned up what we could but it wasn't pretty. @raqball they did say they go the same weekend every year maybe we should alert the Rangers now. Lol
Deano Bronc, JoergH

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