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Gravel Cycling Events in the United States

From the sun-scorched deserts of the Southwest to the rolling forests of the Northeast, the United States offers a gravel cycling landscape of unparalleled scale and diversity. As the spiritual home of the modern gravel scene, it hosts everything from world-famous races to grassroots bikepacking adventures. This guide will help you navigate the vast and exciting world of US gravel events.

Gravel events in United States

Why ride gravel in the United States?

The United States is the birthplace of modern gravel cycling. What started as informal rides on the vast network of unpaved farm roads and fire tracks in the American Midwest has exploded into a global phenomenon. The appeal is rooted in a desire to escape traffic and rediscover a sense of adventure. The US gravel scene embodies this spirit, with an enormous variety of landscapes and a welcoming, community-focused culture.

From epic, continent-spanning bikepacking routes to single-day races that attract thousands, the sheer scale of the country means there’s a lifetime of gravel to explore. It’s a place where you can test your limits in the high mountains of the Rockies, navigate the iconic red dirt of Oklahoma, or cruise through the rolling wine country of California. The infrastructure for riders is excellent, and the calendar is packed with events year-round, making it a premier global destination for any serious gravel cyclist.

The Terrain

The terrain for gravel riding in the USA is breathtakingly diverse, changing dramatically from one region to another.

The Midwest: This is the heartland of American gravel. The defining feature is the sharp, tyre-shredding flint of Kansas, made famous by iconic events like Unbound Gravel. The roads are often laid out in a grid pattern, rolling endlessly over the prairies and through agricultural landscapes. In states like Oklahoma, you'll find distinctive sticky red dirt, as seen at The Mid South, which adds a unique challenge, especially when wet. Further north in Michigan, the terrain is characterised by rolling, sandy roads through forests, home to classics like the Barry-Roubaix.

The West: The West is a region of extremes, dominated by high mountains and vast deserts. Colorado is a hub for high-altitude gravel, with events like SBT GRVL and Rad Dirt Fest taking riders on lung-busting climbs through the Rocky Mountains, often on smooth, well-maintained forest service roads. Utah offers a different challenge, with events like the Crusher in the Tushar featuring brutal climbs on rugged, loose surfaces in the Tushar Mountains. California provides a mix of everything, from the coastal mountains and vineyards of the Belgian Waffle Ride to the remote, high Sierra terrain of the Lost & Found Gravel Festival.

The East: The Eastern US is defined by the Appalachian Mountains, offering seemingly endless climbs on twisting, forested backroads. States like Vermont, North Carolina, and Virginia are hotspots. Here, the gravel is often rougher and more rustic, featuring historic dirt roads, doubletrack, and the occasional section of singletrack. The roads are rarely straight, constantly winding through dense forests, past old farmsteads, and over steep, punchy hills.

Climate & Seasonality

Given its size, the US has no single riding season. The climate varies enormously, meaning you can find a great gravel event somewhere in the country almost any month of the year.

  • Spring (March-May): This is the classic gravel season in the Midwest and the South. The weather is often unpredictable, adding to the challenge and allure of events. Oklahoma’s The Mid South in March is notorious for its potential for freezing rain or thick mud. The season builds towards the unofficial world championships of gravel, Unbound Gravel, at the end of May/early June. In the mountains of the West, snow may still be present at higher elevations.

  • Summer (June-August): Summer is the prime season for the mountainous West. With the snow cleared from high passes, it’s the perfect time to explore Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and Montana. Lower elevations in the Midwest, South, and desert Southwest can be incredibly hot and humid, making summer riding less appealing for many.

  • Autumn (September-November): Autumn is arguably the most pleasant season for riding in many parts of the country. The temperatures are cooler, the scenery is often spectacular with autumn colours, and the event calendar is still busy. Events move back towards the Midwest and the East Coast, with beautiful riding in states like Arkansas, Vermont, and Pennsylvania.

  • Winter (December-February): The southern ‘sun belt’ states take centre stage in winter. Arizona, Southern California, and Texas offer excellent gravel riding when much of the country is covered in snow. Early-season events like The Rock Cobbler in California provide a tough challenge in February.

Event Highlights

Unbound Gravel: Held in Emporia, Kansas, this is the most famous gravel race in the world. Its various distances, from 25 to 200 miles (and the 350-mile XL), take riders across the rugged and remote Flint Hills. It’s a true test of endurance and self-sufficiency.

Belgian Waffle Ride (BWR): With events in California, North Carolina, Utah and more, BWR offers a unique a multi-surface challenge. Known as 'the Hell of the North-America', the routes blend pavement with significant sections of difficult gravel, dirt and sand, favouring all-round riders.

SBT GRVL: Based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, this event has quickly become one of the premier gravel races in the US. It's known for its stunning high-altitude scenery, impeccably organised setup, and routes that feature "champagne gravel" – smooth, fast-rolling dirt roads through the Rockies.

The Mid South: More than just a race, this is a multi-day festival in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The defining characteristic is the vibrant red clay dirt that can turn from hero to zero with the slightest bit of rain, creating an unforgettable (and messy) experience.

Crusher in the Tushar: A self-proclaimed "tushar-tamer," this Utah race is infamous for its difficulty. The route features over 10,000 feet of climbing in just under 70 miles, ascending to altitudes above 10,000 feet on a mix of pavement and brutally rugged gravel roads. It’s a true climber’s classic.

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest gravel event in the United States?

Unbound Gravel, held in Emporia, Kansas, is widely considered the biggest and most prestigious gravel event in the US, often referred to as the 'World Championship' of gravel cycling.

What's the best US state for gravel cycling?

This is subjective, but several states are considered top-tier destinations. Kansas offers the iconic Flint Hills; Colorado has high-altitude mountain gravel; California provides huge variety; and states like Arkansas, Vermont, and Michigan have passionate communities and excellent rural road networks.

What kind of bike do I need for gravel events in the USA?

A dedicated gravel bike is ideal. Key features to look for are clearance for wide tyres (40-45mm is a good starting point), a wide range of gears to handle steep climbs, and stable geometry. Tyre choice will vary greatly depending on whether you're riding the sharp flint of Kansas or the smoother dirt roads of Colorado.

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See the full USA gravel calendar

States in this guide