How to Meet People for Offroad Trips

Summary

In this blog post, you'll find valuable tips and resources for offroading enthusiasts. It covers essential tools like OnX Offroad, GAIA GPS, TrailOffroad, and Garmin GPS devices to help navigate trails. It also highlights online communities such as Reddit subreddits and local Facebook groups, focusing on how to connect with other offroaders. Additionally, it mentions local clubs, forums, and the MudQuest app for finding offroading companions. Whether you're new to offroading or looking to expand your network, this guide offers actionable insights for a safer and more enjoyable experience.

Welcome

Welcome to my blog! Today, I want to talk about the offroading community and provide some useful tips on how to have fun with your 4x4 that you haven't taken into the mud yet. Or maybe you have, but only on solo trips, and now you'd like to have more fun and meet new people but don't know how? I am going to share some tips and apps that helped me find friends to go off-roading with.

Hi, my name is Dmitrii. I am currently located in Texas and am a weekend overlander (sometimes longer)! I drive a lightly modified ❤️2015 Lexus GX-460❤️.

Kaibab National Forest:

Palo Duro Canyon State Park(Merus):

Moab Fins and Things:

I am relatively new to the community and indeed had the questions: How do I go offroad? Where do I go offroad? Where do I find people to go off-road with? If you have the same questions you are in the right place.

Offroad tools

Tools That Can Help You Find Where to Go

Whether you're a seasoned offroad enthusiast or just starting, having the right tools can make all the difference in finding and navigating trails. Here are some of the top apps to help you get started:

• OnX Offroad
  OnX Offroad is known for its extensive trail database, offline maps, and easy-to-use interface. It offers public and private land boundaries, weather overlays, and customizable waypoints, helping you plan and explore with confidence. It's a must-have for any offroader, offering details on over 500,000 miles of trails.

• GAIA GPS
  GAIA GPS provides topographic maps and backcountry navigation features, making it perfect for offroaders who want to explore remote areas. With customizable layers, real-time updates, and offline access, it's great for planning trips off the beaten path.

• TrailOffroad
  TrailOffroad is designed specifically for finding and exploring offroad trails. It features detailed trail guides, difficulty ratings, and community reviews. This app helps you not only discover new trails but also assess if they're suitable for your vehicle and skill level.

• Garmin GPS Devices
  The Garmin Overlander is an all-terrain, all-in-one GPS navigator specifically designed to fit the needs of the growing overlanding community. From navigating the intricate roads of suburbia to exploring remote regions of the great outdoors, the Overlander offers turn-by-turn, world-renowned directions from Garmin and built-in topo (topography) maps.

• OVERLAND BOUND
  Comprehensive map with off-road trails plus points of interest such as dispersed campsites, vetted mechanics, must see locations and more.

SubReddit Groups

Engaging with online communities is a great way to learn from experienced offroaders, share your own experiences, and even find new buddies for your next adventure. Reddit offers several vibrant communities where offroad enthusiasts gather. Here are some popular SubReddit groups to check out:

• r/4×4 - https://www.reddit.com/r/4x4/
  A hub for all things related to 4x4 vehicles and offroad adventures. From tips on vehicle mods to trail recommendations, this community has something for every offroad enthusiast. You'll find a mix of questions, advice, and offroad stories from around the world.

• r/Offroad - https://www.reddit.com/r/Offroad/
  This subreddit is dedicated to all things offroading. Whether you're into trucks, Jeeps, or dirt bikes, r/Offroad is a great place to discuss trails, gear, and techniques. It's a great place to get inspiration and troubleshoot issues with your offroad setup.

• r/4×4buddy - https://www.reddit.com/r/4x4buddy/
  Specifically designed for those looking to connect with others for offroad trips, this community is perfect if you're looking for offroad companions. You can post where you're planning to go or look for others planning trips in your area.

• r/overlanding - https://www.reddit.com/r/overlanding/

Local Facebook Groups

I am personally a part of the Calvary Overland Community (https://www.calvaryoverland.com/, and Facebook group here - https://www.facebook.com/CalvaryOverland) in the North Texas area. This group brings together offroad enthusiasts to explore trails, exchange tips, and organize overlanding trips. It’s been a great way to meet like-minded adventurers and get involved in the local offroad scene.

You can find similar groups almost in any state and/or city, whether you're looking for overlanding adventures, 4x4 meetups, or just a community to share your passion. Facebook is a great resource for finding these groups, as many organize regular events, trail rides, and meetups.

Here are some group examples:

• CalvaryOverland - Dallas,TX;

• Utah Off-Road - UT - https://www.facebook.com/groups/285884902187770;

• Overlanding USA - https://www.facebook.com/groups/293958238098887

Search for a group in your area to find one close to you.

Local clubs

Calvary overland is also a club that hosts many trips that you can join. Some are free some are paid tours. There many around the US so search for it in your area, here are some I know.

• Calvary Overland, North Texas- https://www.calvaryoverland.com/events

• Express Rally, Ozark AR, this one host multiple event including Overlanding to Ozark - https://www.expressrally.com/

• there more, try to search in your location

Forums

• https://forum.ih8mud.com/tags/overland-build/ - technical offroad form

• There are many you can find to your taste - here

Apps that help you find people to go offroad with

• OVERLAND BOUND - limited to traditional events.

• MudQuest - real-time offroad locator

MudQuest

https://www.mud-quest.com

Here is a bit more about how it works:

Persona: Jack Doe - Occasional Overland Driver
Scenario: On his trip to Moab driving through many states. Trip duration 2 weeks. Stopping at multiple places on the way. Mostly campgrounds.
Experience: Beginner

Persona: Sidney - Overlender from Texas
Scenario: Sidney also travels from Texas to SLC stopping in multiple places to hit the trails
Experience: experienced overlander

Persona: Alex - Local Moab Offroad Guru
Scenario: Lives in Moab and loves going offroad, and meeting new people. Always open to helping new offenders and showing trails around.
Experience: hardcore offrpader

Location: All 3 personas are in Moab and ready to go offroad right away.

When Jack arrives in Moab, he wants to find some fun company to explore easy trails in the area. He opens the MudQuest mobile application and creates a party search request. He provides basic information, such as the meet-up location, and the difficulty level of the trails, and selects the rig he is currently driving. Once the request is created, he is taken to the main Party view where he can see the status.

When the party request is created and marked as public, it becomes available in the party list for everyone in the area to see. It also sends notifications to others who are currently looking for a party or have notification alerts turned on. At the same time, the party will be visible in two places: the map view and the party view list.

Jack is happy to have found two new friends, Alex and Sidney, who joined him on his adventure. Together, they took a nice drive up to the Tower Arch Trail in Arches National Park. By the end of the party trip, all three party participants had their party tracked in their profiles. They also added each other as friends to see if they could take another trip together later.