Combine perhaps the most famous overland traveler on earth, 500 spectacular acres of Montana land, and big ambitions. This is where XOVERLAND Ranch will be born. This facility will develop into one of the centers of overland training in North America.
I was fortunate enough to attend the grand opening along with about 300 other Overlanders, and I’d like to give you an inside look at what this new venture is all about. Crossover Land It’s about everything.
XOVERLAND Ranch
First, let me give you an idea of what this vast estate is all about. The 500-acre property was home to 1,500 horses until recently. It was then sold to a developer and opened as a wedding venue in 2019. The business lasted just over a year, but hosted over 50 weddings.
This property came on the market at the time XOVERLAND was looking to find a property for their next venture, and in a great handshake deal between Montanans, the Crofts were able to enlist their closest friends and family as investors in the venture and secure the property at a great price.
Property
Located just 30 minutes from the Bozeman airport, the facility has three main sections and is located along the headwaters of the mighty Missouri River.
The first area adjacent to the road is flat and mostly forested, containing a large collection of cabins and glamping tents, as well as an old office building and a recently renovated community facility known as the “Roadhouse.”
The second main area is a large flat area separated from the first by a small marsh. It contains two lakes, a large field and a short runway. The lake is also stocked with sea bass for fishing.
The buildings include a large old workshop, a huge events building called the Hub, a classroom building called the Lab, a podcast studio and garage called the Armory, covered car parks, and a large technical off-road course, which is being developed into a world-class training facility. Overland Training Canada And we have a lot of top off-road training experts on board.
The third main area of the property is over 250 acres of rolling hills that are home to short and long range shooting ranges, a network of off-road trails, and the opportunity to enjoy outdoor camping with expansive views of the rest of the property and the surrounding rolling hills.
The facility is located in the “Montana Banana Belt,” which means the climate is milder than other parts of the state. But don’t be fooled: temperatures can exceed 100°F in the summer and drop to -50°F in the winter. Although the terrain is rugged, it receives less snow than other parts of the state, making it ideal for year-round events.
vision
Though constantly changing, Rachel, Clay, and the rest of the XOVERLAND Ranch team have some solid visions for the facility. The big goal is to create an event and training center that can develop the next generation of leaders in the overland space. Creating a location and curriculum that will be the “best training for overland travel” is a lofty goal, but with this location and the team of experts they have assembled there, it’s likely achievable.
The primary purpose of XOVERLAND Ranch is to host a series of trainings to develop the next generation of leaders in the field of off-road racing. These trainings will cover a variety of topics including off-road skills, vehicle maintenance, trip planning, and more.
Training will cover the lifestyle, technical and planning aspects of overland travel. Teaching overland travelers how to be self-sufficient in all aspects is a consistent theme throughout the program. The curriculum for these trainings is currently being developed and dates will be announced soon.
The second primary use for XOVERLAND Ranch is corporate events, ranging from leadership training, team building and experiential programs to private event venue rentals. Automotive brands will also use the facility for first-drive and vehicle experience events for media. GMC has already hosted an event there, with others planned.
XOVERLAND Ranch is a comprehensive managed environment for off-road, overland and firearms skills training. It can be used for a variety of programs ranging from bush pilot fly-in events to overland vehicle expo/rally type events for thousands of people. With infrastructure and permitting in place, it could also serve as a stopover campground for overland travelers in the area.
XOVERLAND Ranch Grand Opening Event
The Grand Opening event I attended was the facility’s first ever Overland Rally style event, a two-day event that included the classic classroom instruction program, technical course driving experiences, trail driving experiences, communal meals, campfire evenings, camping, and plenty of swimming and fishing in two ponds to enjoy the many things the facility has to offer.
So many of the top overland industry luminaries and businesses were on hand to take part in this exciting event, and everyone was smiling, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and networking like we haven’t seen at an overland event like this in years.
The grand opening of XOVERLAND Ranch was just a taste of what this place and its people have to offer. It was also truly a family affair, with so much passion and hard work put into this project by everyone involved.
Many of the XOVERLAND crew are teenagers and they probably worked harder and seemed to have more fun than any event crew I’ve ever seen. The future is bright for this facility and XOVERLAND!
Events like this one are planned to be held annually at XOVERLAND Ranch, and while many of the events on the property are private, at least once a year we invite the broader Overland community to attend.
XOVERLAND Ranch: What’s next?
XOVERLAND Ranch is open for business and has more programming planned for the future.
Everything I saw and experienced was of the highest quality. From the comfy mattresses, rain showers and metal light switches in the cabins, to the common areas in the modern safari-style roadhouse, the amazing technical trails and everything else. Everything is done to a high standard at XOVERLAND Ranch.
I can’t wait to see the results of the next property upgrade and hope to return to see for myself.
To attend training, rent the facility for your next corporate event, or check out what’s happening at XOVERLAND Ranch, Website.
