Hey, I’m Bryce.
For the past decade, I’ve been exploring the American West from behind the wheel of my 2018 Ford F150, chasing dirt roads, remote campsites, and the kind of silence you can only find miles from pavement.
This site exists because I got tired of overlanding content that reads like it was written by someone who’s never actually slept in their rig or gotten stuck in sand at 3 AM. You know the type, perfectly curated Instagram shots, gear recommendations based on affiliate payouts instead of real use, and advice that falls apart the moment you hit actual trail conditions.
Overlanding America is different.
Everything here comes from real experience. The gear recommendations? I’ve used them (or watched them fail). The trail reports? I’ve driven them. The mistakes I warn you about? Yeah, I made those first so you don’t have to.
How This Started
I didn’t set out to become an “overlanding expert.” I just wanted to explore.
My first trip was a disaster by most standards. I had a stock truck, a cheap tent from Walmart, and a paper map I barely knew how to read. I got lost twice, ran out of water once, and learned the hard way that Arizona in July is not forgiving to rookies.
But I was hooked.
Over the next ten years, I’ve covered thousands of miles across the western United States—from the Mojave Desert’s brutal heat to Colorado’s alpine passes, from Nevada’s endless emptiness to Oregon’s rainforests. I’ve broken gear, made stupid decisions, and slowly figured out what actually matters when you’re miles from help.
My F150 has been through it all: river crossings that probably voided the warranty, desert trails that rattled every bolt, mountain passes where I questioned every life choice. It’s not a show truck—it’s a working rig with dents, scratches, and stories behind each one.
What You’ll Find Here
Real Gear Reviews I test equipment in actual conditions, not just my driveway. If something breaks, I’ll tell you. If I think you’re wasting money, I’ll say that too. Every recommendation comes with the good, the bad, and the “here’s what I learned the hard way.”
Trail-Tested Destinations I cover overlanding destinations across the American West—the famous ones and the hidden gems. You’ll get honest assessments of trail difficulty, camping options, and what you actually need to know before you go. No clickbait “10 Amazing Places” lists written from a desk.
Skills That Matter Navigation, recovery, camp craft, vehicle maintenance—I share what I’ve learned through experience and mistakes. The kind of knowledge that keeps you safe and self-reliant when things don’t go according to plan (and they never do).
Budget-Conscious Advice You don’t need a $80,000 rig to overland. My first trips cost less than most people’s weekend hotel stays. I’ll show you how to start with what you have and upgrade smartly based on actual needs, not Instagram envy.
My Approach
I believe overlanding should be:
Accessible – You don’t need expensive gear or a modified rig to start. My truck ran stock for two years and handled 90% of what I threw at it.
Self-Reliant – The best adventures happen when you’re capable and prepared, not dependent on perfect conditions or being rescued.
Authentic – I’d rather sleep on the ground in an incredible location than in a rooftop tent at a crowded campground. The experience matters more than the gear.
Respectful – Leave no trace isn’t a suggestion. The places we explore need to be there for the next person, and the next generation.
Why Trust Me?
I’m not a professional influencer or sponsored athlete. I don’t get paid to recommend specific brands (though this site does use affiliate links for gear I genuinely use—more on that below). I’m just someone who’s spent a decade learning this stuff the hard way and wants to help others skip the expensive mistakes.
My credentials are simple:
- 10 years of consistent overlanding across the western U.S.
- Thousands of miles on dirt roads, two-tracks, and trails
- More stuck-in-the-mud stories than I care to admit
- A truck that’s earned every scratch and dent
- Gear that’s survived real-world abuse
I’m not claiming to know everything. I make mistakes, I’m still learning, and I’ll readily admit when I’m out of my depth. But what I share here comes from actual experience, not marketing copy or a weekend rental adventure.
About This Site
The Honest Truth About Affiliate Links
Yes, this site contains affiliate links. When you buy gear through my recommendations, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Here’s my promise: I only recommend products I actually use or would genuinely buy myself. If something sucks, I’ll tell you—even if it means losing a potential commission.
The affiliate income helps cover the costs of running this site and occasionally testing new gear. But it doesn’t influence what I recommend. My reputation matters more than any commission check.
Content Philosophy
Every article on this site is written based on real experience. I don’t outsource content, I don’t use AI to generate filler, and I don’t copy-paste from manufacturer descriptions. If I write about a trail, I’ve driven it. If I recommend gear, I’ve used it.
This also means I publish less frequently than sites cranking out daily AI-generated content. Quality over quantity. I’d rather give you one genuinely useful article than ten pieces of recycled fluff.
Privacy & Transparency
This site uses standard analytics to understand what content is helpful and what isn’t. I don’t sell your data, I don’t spam your inbox, and I won’t send you annoying push notifications. If you subscribe to the newsletter (if I ever create one), it’ll be because you want trip reports and gear insights, not daily promotional emails.
Where I Explore
My home base is in the Great Plains, but my truck’s seen more of the western U.S. than most people will in a lifetime:
- Deserts: Mojave, Sonoran, Great Basin—I’ve learned to respect heat, carry extra water, and never underestimate sand
- Mountains: Colorado Rockies, Sierra Nevada, Cascades—where weather changes fast and preparation matters
- Forests: Pacific Northwest rainforests, Utah’s high country—where green meets solitude
- Badlands: Nevada’s remote corners, New Mexico’s emptiness—where self-reliance isn’t optional
I focus on public lands—BLM, National Forests, and lesser-known areas that don’t require reservations six months in advance. The places where you can still find solitude and real adventure.
Let’s Connect
I’m not big on social media, but I love hearing from fellow overlanders. Got questions about a trail I’ve covered? Wondering if a piece of gear is worth it? Made your own epic mistakes you want to share? Reach out.
What I’m Not:
- A professional guide service (I can’t take you on trips)
- A gear repair shop (I break stuff too, I can’t fix yours)
- An expert on every topic (I know overlanding, not rock climbing or fly fishing)
What I Am:
- Someone who’s been there and made the mistakes
- Happy to answer genuine questions about overlanding
- Always learning and open to hearing your experiences
My Current Setup
Since people always ask, here’s what I’m running (as of late 2024):
Vehicle: 2018 Ford F150, mostly stock with quality all-terrain tires, basic skid plates, and upgraded shocks
Sleeping: CVT Mt. Shasta rooftop tent (after years of ground camping)
Power: REDARC dual battery system with 200W solar
Storage: Custom-built drawer system and Prinsu roof rack
Recovery: MAXTRAX, Yankum kinetic rope, Hi-Lift jack, and a well-used shovel
Kitchen: Partner Steel two-burner stove, ARB 63qt fridge, cast iron cookware
Navigation: Gaia GPS and onX Offroad on iPhone, physical maps as backup
Communication: Midland GMRS radio, Garmin inReach Mini 2
Nothing fancy. Nothing Instagram-perfect. Everything tested and proven over thousands of miles.
The Mission
Overlanding America exists to help people explore responsibly, safely, and authentically. I want more people to experience the freedom and perspective that comes from self-reliant travel in wild places.
But I also want those places protected. Every visitor should leave a location better than they found it. Every overlander should be prepared enough that they’re not calling for rescue every time things get difficult. And every piece of content should actually help people instead of just chasing clicks.
That’s what I’m building here. Real information from real experience, shared honestly.
Thanks for being here. Now get off the internet and go explore something.
— Bryce
Want to stay updated on new destination guides and gear reviews? Check back regularly, or follow along as I continue documenting what works (and what doesn’t) on America’s backroads.
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