What is overlanding? How can you overland with Garmin?

You’re lounging in your camp chair, gazing up at the stars you haven’t seen in months, surrounded by changing leaves and it’s finally quiet, save the sounds of your crackling campfire, chirping crickets and a stream gently rushing by.

Your reliable truck or rig is parked next to you, its rooftop tent calling you to sleep. A wave of peace settles over you. Not a soul is in sight.

How did you get here? By overlanding.

If you’ve got a capable vehicle, the outdoor essentials and the ability to be self-reliant, this could be you. And when you overland with Garmin products, you’ll be better prepared to explore off the beaten path.

What is overlanding?

Overland Journal defines overlanding as “self-reliant adventure travel to remote destinations where the journey is the primary goal.” You rely on your vehicle to travel off-road and lead you to sights you’ve never seen while you search for remote and makeshift campsites.

When you overland, it’s all about getting out in nature and living simply off the land, using the supplies you brought with you.

It differs from your typical camping or car camping trip because the goal isn’t arriving at established, easily accessible campgrounds. Instead, it’s about the journey you take to a remote campsite, possibly on challenging roads or trails.

What Garmin products belong in your vehicle?

First, you’ll want to make sure you have all the gear, food, water, gas and sleep essentials packed in your overlanding rig. And you don’t need a heavily modified vehicle — just one that’s capable and that you can rely on.

In that vehicle, you can mount a Garmin off-road GPS navigator such as Tread 2 – Overland Edition, an 8″ device that can help guide you through the toughest conditions with turn-by-turn trail navigation¹ and topographic maps for North and South America. It includes high-definition elevation maps, a preloaded directory of more than 46,000 Ultimate Public Campgrounds and more. Plus, with public land boundaries, you can be aware of boundaries for national forests, Bureau of Land Management and wilderness areas, as well as private land boundaries and landowner information for parcels greater than 4 acres — for insight on where you can and cannot legally camp and travel.

You can even get custom street routing for the size and weight of your vehicle as well as alerts for potential hazards on your route, including sharp curves, steep grades and more². Tread 2 – Overland Edition includes a heavy-duty suction cup and robust magnetic-assisted locking mount to secure it to your dashboard.

With the Tread® mobile app, you can discover the best rated off-road routes thanks to the great rides feature. Bookmark a ride to sync it with your Tread navigator. After your ride, you can rate the difficulty and upload pictures.

You’ll also want to add the Garmin PowerSwitch™ compact digital switch box to your vehicle. This provides convenient centralized control of your vehicle’s 12-volt accessories from a compatible³ Garmin navigator such as Tread 2 or your compatible smartphone⁴. Garmin PowerSwitch helps you control light bars, horns, air compressors, locks and more. Plus, this rugged switch box is IPX7 weather-resistant, so it’s tough enough for your off-road adventures.

Should you grab a GPS handheld for mapping?

You’ve got the in-vehicle device covered, but what else should you bring for when you leave the vehicle for other activities such as hiking, cycling, hunting and fishing? We recommend a durable device that goes wherever you go, tracking your precise location along the way, such as eTrex® Touch, GPSMAP® H1 or Montana 710 handheld navigators.

The preloaded TopoActive maps with routable trails and roads on eTrex Touch make it a great option for any outdoor activity. It offers a simple-to-use touchscreen, durable design, long battery life and the option to purchase an Outdoor Maps+ plan for ongoing access to premium map content (more on that later).

If a larger touchscreen map is a priority for your adventures, consider Montana 710. It features a 5″ glove-friendly touchscreen — ideal for when you want to view a larger map — and a rugged design. This handheld includes preloaded TopoActive maps, downloadable satellite imagery and compatibility with optional Outdoor Maps+ content.

If you’re looking for a feature-packed navigator, step up to GPSMAP H1. This premium GPS handheld includes a built-in flashlight and siren, more advanced mapping, downloadable high-resolution satellite imagery and Outdoor Maps+ compatibility. The modern and hybrid design offers a 3.5″ color touchscreen and physical buttons, with a durable build that can withstand water and extreme temperatures. It also comes with a removable loop carabiner for more versatility when securing to your backpack while you’re on the go.

Do you need a satellite communicator?

When you travel off-grid, it’s important to stay connected. Packing a satellite communicator allows you to explore beyond the limits of cell networks and can help give you peace of mind knowing you can trigger an SOS message in an emergency while keeping loved ones up to date through two-way messaging⁴. With a Garmin satellite communicator, you’ll be able to trigger an interactive SOS message to Garmin Response^SM, our international emergency response coordination center that’s staffed 24/7.

For a dedicated SOS satellite communicator⁵, we recommend the companion inReach Messenger Plus that pairs with your smartphone so you can exchange photos, voice messages and texts from your phone — all without the need for cell coverage. Or, consider inReach Mini 3. This is a stand-alone option that you do not need to pair with your phone for two-way communication (though you get additional features when you do). Unlike traditional satellite phones, these devices prioritize text messaging, location sharing and triggering SOS messages instead of voice calling.

inReach Mini 3, with a color touchscreen display, offers up to 350 hours of battery life in 10-minute inReach tracking mode so you can take that multiday overlanding journey without worrying about charging. inReach Mini 3 Plus adds a built-in speaker and microphone as well as photo and voice messaging capabilities⁶. You can even exchange inReach messages on your compatible Tread device. inReach Messenger Plus — with up to 600 hours of battery life with a text message or location sent every 10 minutes — also allows you to send photos and voice messages.

If you want to keep the preloaded mapping capabilities, you can opt for the Montana® 760i enabled with inReach technology or the more advanced GPSMAP® H1i Plus enabled with inReach Plus technology.

Montana 760i adds an 8-megapixel camera so you can snap pics and tag the location. With inReach technology, you can exchange text messages, trigger an interactive SOS, get detailed weather updates and share your location with loved ones through the LiveTrack™ sharing feature⁵.

With inReach Plus technology⁵ on GPSMAP H1i Plus, you’ll also be able to exchange photos, voice messages, and longer text messages up to 1,600 characters each. GPSMAP H1i Plus also includes integrated front and back cameras — so you can be sure to update loved ones with pictures of your beautiful, remote view.

If your vehicle breaks down in a remote forest or you get injured, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you can get connected to help if you need it.

What about on-wrist SOS messaging options?

Maybe you’re looking for SOS message capabilities, but you prefer an all-in-one tool. Consider the fēnix 8 Pro Series. In addition to a durable build featuring a metal sensor guard cover and a titanium bezel, you’ll get a built-in LED flashlight as well as inReach technology for satellite SOS and cellular connectivity⁶.

When connected to the LTE network, you can use fēnix 8 Pro to send 30-second voice messages — and make and take phone calls — from other fēnix 8 Pro users⁷ (or those using the Garmin Messenger™ app on their smartphone). You can also use LiveTrack to share your location with loved ones.

Expedition taking you out of cell service range? Satellite coverage helps you stay connected. Send and receive text messages with those using the Garmin Messenger mobile app or compatible Garmin smartwatch. Plus, with this connected smartwatch with SOS, you’ll have inReach capabilities on your wrist.

How else can you find your way when overlanding?

With the numerous mapping options available from Garmin, your journey off the beaten path has never looked clearer.

If you activate an Outdoor Maps+ plan with a compatible device, you can explore confidently with high-detail topographic maps, HD relief shading, raster maps (that display local information including trailheads, trails, camping areas, water sources and more) and boundaries.

With night lights, you can see where light pollution is — or isn’t — so you can find the best spots to stargaze. Plus, with points of interest (including boat ramps, campgrounds, national parks, historic sites, survey marks, picnic areas and more, based on sources including DeLorme® Atlas & Gazetteer™ points and U.S. Forest Service points), you’ll find new places to explore. After all, overlanding is about what you find along the way.

If you’re looking to hike after setting up camp, consider using Garmin Trails to plan your perfect route. Available in select areas through the Garmin Explore™ and Garmin Connect™ apps, you can find a trail to suit your adventure based on the length, difficulty, estimated competition time, and both descent or ascent total.

Prepare for your next overlanding journey today by browsing our off-road navigators, GPS handhelds and satellite communicators.

¹_{Limitations may exist in map data for some road and trail route suggestions. Always defer to all posted road signs and conditions during vehicle operation. Garmin products using OpenStreetMap data are intended to be used only as supplementary travel aids.}

_{²Not available in all areas. Entering your vehicle’s profile characteristics does not guarantee your vehicle’s characteristics will be accounted for in all route suggestions. Always defer to all posted road signs and road conditions.}

³_{See compatible devices}

⁴_{Requires use of the Garmin PowerSwitch app downloaded on your compatible device and paired to the Garmin PowerSwitch digital switch box}

⁵_{Active satellite plan required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices. It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.}

⁶_{Taking and sending photos requires use of the Garmin Messenger app on your paired smartphone}

⁷_{Active subscription required; LTE network coverage and satellite connectivity are not available in all countries. Check Garmin.com/fenix8procoverage for requirements and to see which services are accessible in your area — or in countries to where you may be traveling. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is the user’s responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws.}

_{OpenStreetMap is a trademark of the OpenStreetMap Foundation, and is used with their permission. This product is not endorsed by or affiliated with the OpenStreetMap Foundation.}

_{Copyright © 2025 Ultimate Campgrounds – All rights reserved.}