By Arnold, Overland Explorer Vehicles
The Big Thing is a three-day overland event hosted by Overland Collective at the XOVERLAND Ranch near Three Forks, Montana. The 2026 edition ran July 9 to 12. We went down as a vendor and left as fans. Here is what the weekend was actually like, and why we are already planning for next year.
What the Big Thing Is
This was the third year for the Big Thing, and you can watch it growing. The first year was quiet, mostly a select group of vendors and friends of the hosts. The second year got bigger. For 2026 they opened it up further, and it showed. For an event this size, there was a surprising amount to do, and the hosts wanted you out doing it rather than standing at a booth.
Trail Rides and the Test Track
You could sign up for organized trail rides during the day and at night. There was also an obstacle course and a dedicated test track where you could work on your driving. What set it apart was the spotters. They stood with you and gave real advice as you worked through each obstacle. For anyone newer to off-road driving, that coaching was the fastest way to build both skill and confidence. You learned what to do and what not to do, with someone experienced standing right there.
Vendors Who Teach, Not Just Sell
The vendors brought more than product. A lot of them spent their time explaining how to actually use their gear, not just what it costs. That is the difference between a trade show and an event like this. I went down as a vendor and ended up spending most of the weekend as a participant, because the hosts encouraged all of us to get out and take part in everything.
The Henry Repeating Arms Range
Henry Repeating Arms set up a range with around 15 targets, using .22 caliber rifles with suppressors. Henry is known for its lever-action rifles, and they let anyone step up and shoot, with coaching for people who had never handled a firearm. It was free. I took two turns myself, including a timed round I did not do well at, but I had a great time.
The moment that stuck with me involved a woman ahead of me, probably in her 70s, who had never fired a gun in her life. The Henry crew took their time with her, walked her through everything, and coached her until she was ready. She missed the first couple of shots. Then came that familiar gong when she finally hit the target, and the smile on her face said it all. They even recorded it so she could share it with her husband, who was not there to see it. Kids lined up too. Everyone got a turn.
The Setting: Three Forks and the Ranch
Three Forks is where three rivers, the Jefferson, the Madison, and the Gallatin, come together to form the Missouri. There is plenty of fishing and water close by. The event sits back from the interstate, so you are not listening to highway noise all weekend. The ranch is set up well for hosting a crowd, with a large open two-story pavilion, plenty of seating, and fire pits out on the concrete patio.
It was hot, with highs in the low-to-mid 90s Fahrenheit (32 to 36 C) across the weekend. Afternoon breezes and stronger evening winds helped. There is a pond on the property, and a lot of people used it to cool off during the day. At one point I was sure I spotted a turtle in there, maybe eight inches across, though the way water bends the light, it might have been bigger in my head than in real life. Nobody was checking my facts. They were just happy to be in the water.
Community and Camping
We reserved a large camping area so our owners and customers could camp together every night. It was a big grassy hayfield where people gathered to swap stories, share where they have been, and talk about where they want to go next. That is the part that matters most to us.
Some friends and dealers from Zero Declination out of Reno, Nevada turned the trip into an adventure of its own. They drove from Oregon to the ranch over about ten days and filmed the whole thing, so you can follow that journey on their YouTube channel. It gave us an idea. For next year, we want to gather OEV owners from wherever they are coming from, whether that is Canada like us or the west, east, or south, meet up a night or two before the show, and roll in together as a group.
I also have to thank Kim, one of our camping family, who is known for making donuts while camping. She came through with vanilla and cinnamon donuts, made late enough at night that I did not sit there and eat all of them. That is what these folks do. Everyone brings something and shares it.
Organization Done Right
The event was run tighter than its size would suggest. The garbage cans were somehow always empty. The bathrooms were scattered across the grounds and always clean. There were free showers set up outside if you wanted them. Because of the heat, a staff member drove around on a golf cart handing out cold water and frozen treats at no charge. Midway through, someone from the team came by just to ask how things were going and whether anything could be better. That is not an accident. These people know how to run an event.
About the Hosts
The Big Thing is put on at the XOVERLAND Ranch by the team behind Expedition Overland, working alongside Overland Journal and Expedition Portal under the Overland Collective. Those are busy people, and they still made time to build something this community-driven. It takes a lot of work to pull off, and as people who came to enjoy it, we noticed and we appreciate it.
See You Next Year
If you could not make it this year, put it on your list. The hosts are looking at the second weekend of July for 2027, the weekend after the July long weekend, so keep an eye on the official event page for confirmed dates. You will meet people from all over, pick up real skills, and leave with more confidence and a few new friends. We will be there, and we are already planning. We hope to see you at the next one.
Want a closer look at the campers we brought? See the Hudson Bay flatbed lineup, or browse the full OEV truck camper range. You can also find us at the next event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Big Thing?
The Big Thing is a three-day overland event hosted by Overland Collective at the XOVERLAND Ranch near Three Forks, Montana. It combines hands-on driver training, guided 4WD trail rides, a test track, vendor demos, speaker sessions, and group camping.
Where is the Big Thing held?
It is held at the XOVERLAND Ranch near Three Forks, Montana, set back from the interstate on private ranch land.
When was the Big Thing 2026?
The Big Thing 2026 ran July 9 to 12, 2026.
When is the Big Thing 2027?
The hosts have indicated the second weekend of July, the weekend after the July long weekend. Check the official event page for confirmed 2027 dates.
Is the Big Thing good for beginners?
Yes. Trail rides run from easy to technical, spotters coach you through the test track and obstacles, and expert-led classes cover recovery, navigation, trail cooking, and power systems. It is built to grow confidence for new and experienced overlanders alike.
Who hosts the Big Thing?
It is hosted at the XOVERLAND Ranch by the team behind Expedition Overland, together with Overland Journal and Expedition Portal, under the Overland Collective.