Test your overlanding skills at these two North Idaho rallies
LAUREN REICHENBACH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 2 months AGO
I’ve spent most of my life in northeastern Washington and graduated from Eastern Washington University in 2021. After that, I spent roughly two years working for a small online newspaper in North Seattle before realizing big city living wasn’t for me. Me and my pup, Kodak, headed east, where we eventually landed in Sandpoint. When I’m not writing, you can find me spending time exercising and taking photos. I ran two half marathons in high school and after spending the past few years recovering from various injuries, I’m hoping to complete my first full marathon by the end of the year. I also love any outdoor activity, none of which would be complete without my dog. Kodak and I love going for walks and hikes, and I can’t wait to try to convince him to get in my kayak and spend the hot months of the year on Lake Pend Oreille. While he’s not a fan of baths, he sure does love chasing the ducks. | August 19, 2023 1:00 AM
The Idaho Panhandle has abundant opportunities for adrenaline junkies to get their fix by driving their rigs on rough roads, or in many cases, completely off road.
This fall, those looking to test their overland skills or finding a safer, more structured way to venture into this hobby will have multiple opportunities the last weekend of September with two, three-day overland events taking place in Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry.
The Panhandle Overland Rally is making its way to Sandpoint Sept. 29-Oct. 1 with three packed days of booths, live music, overland education, camping and much more. Overland survival training as well as specific skill training courses will be taught by International 4-Wheel Drive Trainers Association-certified instructors.
While an event schedule has not yet been released for the Panhandle Overland Rally, two live bands will play during the evenings while attendees peruse the available booths at the event. Check panhandleoverlandrally.com/schedule/ for the full schedule, coming soon.
An adult general admission ticket costs $120 while children under 12 can get in free. A $1 pancake breakfast will be offered on Sunday to all those in attendance. Tickets can be purchased at panhandleoverlandrally.com/shop.
That same weekend, roughly 45 miles north, Mountain Mafia is hosting its own overland event, Idaho Overland Experience. This event is “welcome to all overlanders, wheelers, waste landers, schoolies, survivalists and anyone else who wants to have some off-roading and camping fun.”
The event is being held 10 miles north of Bonners Ferry at the Mountain Mafia’s nearly 100-acre off-road park. There will be guided trail rides for all levels of experienced off-roaders, rock crawls, hill climbs, an overland vehicle contest and raffles. Open wheeling will be allowed throughout the weekend. Additionally, the Idaho Overland Experience will also offer a night wheeling party that begins after dark.
Adult tickets to this overland event are $40, kids six to 12 are $20 and children under five years of age are free. While children are welcome at the event, they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
Tickets for the Idaho Overland Experience are not being sold online and can be purchased at the event.
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