A weekend in the mountains with my Jeep, my Turtleback trailer, and a field full of overland rigs turned out to be exactly the kind of getaway I needed.

From September 11–13, I attended the 2026 Mountain State Overland Adventure X Fest at Experience Learning near Circleville, West Virginia. The venue sits on a 400-acre property near Spruce Knob, surrounded by the mountain scenery that makes this part of West Virginia such a good place to slow down and explore.

A Weekend Built Around Adventure

I made the trip with my Jeep and Turtleback trailer and attended with Robert Frank of Expedition Team Overland. Once camp was set up, the weekend settled into an easy rhythm: walking through the camping areas, looking over an impressive variety of overland builds, talking with their owners, sharing meals, and simply enjoying time outside.

Adventure X Fest is not just a display of equipment. Mountain State Overland describes it as an adventure basecamp festival, with camping, excursions, music, local food, games, and plenty of time to explore. That relaxed format was a big part of what made the weekend enjoyable. There was always another vehicle or camping setup to see, but there was no need to rush from one thing to the next.

Overland rigs tend to reflect the people who build and use them. Some were compact and simple, while others had elaborate storage, sleeping, cooking, and communications systems. Seeing how other travelers solve the same basic problems is always interesting. Just as important were the conversations. Meeting new people and hearing where they had traveled—or where they hoped to go next—was one of the best parts of the festival.

The Weekend Through Robert’s Lens

Robert documented the gathering for Expedition Team Overland. His video, Adventure X Fest 2026 | Where Adventurers Meet! | West Virginia Overland Adventure, offers another look at the people, vehicles, campsite, and atmosphere that made the weekend memorable.

A Side Trip to Seneca Rocks

While I was in the area, I made a side trip to Seneca Rocks. The formation is hard to miss: a jagged fin of rock rising sharply above the wooded valley. I stopped at the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center and spent some time taking in the scenery around the base.

I considered hiking to the observation deck, but the trail gains roughly 800 feet on its way up. Since I was not feeling one hundred percent, I decided it was not worth pushing myself. It was the right choice. The rocks are impressive from the valley, and there will be another opportunity to return and make the climb when I can enjoy it rather than merely endure it.

Coming Home Refreshed

The weekend had the balance I was hoping for. It was fun without feeling hectic, social without losing the quiet of being outdoors, and adventurous without needing every hour to be packed with activity. I came home with photographs, new ideas from the rigs I saw, good memories with Robert, and conversations with people I had not known before arriving.

Sometimes the best trips are not about covering the most miles or completing every possible hike. They are about finding a good campsite, meeting people who share an interest in travel and the outdoors, and giving yourself enough time to enjoy where you are. Adventure X Fest delivered exactly that.

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Learn more: Visit Mountain State Overland’s Adventure X Fest page and Expedition Team Overland.