The Boise Off-Road & Outdoor Expo is set to open at Expo Idaho in Garden City on April 25 and 26, 2025, offering a closer look at Idaho’s escalating enthusiasm for recreational vehicles and outdoor exploration. The gathering aims to present a variety of customized UTVs, ATVs and overlanding rigs, while also promoting environmental stewardship and trail safety. Admission costs $12 for adults, and children under 12 can attend free of charge.
Exhibits open from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. According to the expo website, attendees will find local vendors displaying gear and modifications for off-highway vehicles, along with information on best practices for responsible land use.
Organizers point to Idaho’s diverse backcountry as one reason for rapid growth. “Idaho is actually one of the fastest growing motorized recreation areas in the west,” said Scott Phillips of the Boise Off-Road and Outdoor Expo, who discussed the region’s unveiling popularity in a recent piece. He also remarked, “Idaho has been under the radar for so long and people have finally discovered what a cool state it is.”
Phillips co-founded a similar expo in Utah and chose to bring the same concept to Idaho’s off-road community. He wants visitors to learn about preserving public lands through Tread Lightly guidelines and has said, “We want to educate people on tread lightly principles, staying on designated trails and not going off trail,” as well as, “And then packing your garbage out and leave the place cleaner then when you found it.”
The expo highlights local businesses like 208 Off-Road Performance from Nampa, where enthusiasts can find upgrades and repairs for their UTVs. Jeremy Holm, speaking about his company, stated, “So we do pretty much everything UTV. I mean performance, maintenance and fabrication,” before elaborating on the benefits of the event. “To be able to get out with the community, talk to them and be able to get our name out there even more is aweome. We really appreciate Boise Off-Road for putting on this event for us.”
Families attending will encounter child-friendly attractions such as a remote control course and a magic show, interspersed with rows of high-powered vehicles for serious off-road adventurers. The event aims to unite newcomers and longtime hobbyists under a shared commitment to protect trail access and scenic destinations.
Phillips hopes to avoid potential closures of cherished routes, citing that “They had to ban together out of necessity, you guys have not had the pressure they have had,” when referencing other states’ more crowded conditions. “So to me it is really cool that you guys have all come together organically as clubs. You interface, you work together and you support each other really well,” he added, pointing to the Idaho Master Off Road Association’s role in connecting local clubs.
General best practices suggest that campgrounds or resorts serving these visitors can stand out by developing accommodations specifically suited to large rigs and off-road vehicles. By offering clearly marked parking areas with extra space, wash stations for gear cleanup, and quiet hours to balance adventure with rest, operators could bolster satisfaction for those traveling to events like the Boise Off-Road & Outdoor Expo.
Similarly, broader collaboration with off-road clubs and environmental groups can encourage well-maintained trails and shared respect for nature. Creation of educational programs that reinforce the Tread Lightly message, as well as staff training on those guidelines, can nurture a positive relationship between riders and land managers. This collective approach underpins the same community-driven ethos many attendees will hear about during the expo.
Boise Off-Road & Outdoor Expo organizers plan to emphasize the benefits of working directly with associations such as the Idaho Master Off Road Association. The event’s its about section notes a focus on keeping motorized access open and ensuring future generations can enjoy Idaho’s public lands.
Another example of collaborative trail stewardship can be seen in Tread Lightly’s efforts with West Virginia Overland LLC at Mountwood ATV Park. That initiative, detailed in a related report, involved systematically evaluating off-highway trails to pinpoint needed repairs, with an emphasis on minimizing erosion and litter. Organizers in Idaho are set to share similar suggestions on implementing sustainable practices.
As Idaho continues to attract new enthusiasts, the expo’s goal is to unite business owners, families and off-road aficionados in a shared effort to protect the scenic spaces that have made the state a prime motorsports destination. While the show will showcase modifications and exciting new vehicle capabilities, the deeper message revolves around preserving these landscapes for the greater good.